Scourge of War Boards

As it stands, the charge function can be very irrational. Why would men in a well-fortified defensive position (and with plenty of ammo charge down the hill into the open? Not only does it force them into the open, but it obliterates the carefully constructed contiguous battleline and exposes my units to infilading fire. This is exactly what happens every time I play the Devil's Den. There needs to be a "hold position" button or something. It just kills me every time. I lost three regiments because they charged out of the Devil's Den the teeth of two full brigades and ultimately got captured.

The Take Command button is your friend in such situations. Take command of the brigade leader, and of the key regiments. Also, note that if a unit is charged, it will often meet the charge part way -- not sure you can do anything about that.

Steve

I agree with the "take command" command. I always take command of my brigadiers and artillery captains, and often regiments when in close combat or when rushing artillery. What I have a problem with is the automatic counter charge when the enemy comes too close which literally shatters my defenses.

I think a "hold position" command which ties the regiment to the specific location while their morale holds up would be a simple solution conceptually---although, not so sure how simple in implementation.

If I recall correctly, wasn't there a hold command in TC2M? Or was that in the CMP?

I seem to remember such command in Tc2M as well. Probably the STRAT order Hold to the last could be used to achieve such result as well.

TC takes all the responsiveness out of the unit, which could be fatal if left alone for even a couple of minutes in a fight.

Hold in TC2M was a "stance" given to commanders. I have often wished for a corresponding set of stances for a regiment (as in the regiment's colonel). The series could be based on a scale of aggressivenes, such as "assault", "attack", "skirmish", "defend", and finally "hold to the last."

I love to think up more work for other people.

"TC takes all the responsiveness out of the unit, which could be fatal if left alone for even a couple of minutes in a fight."

Very true. Generally, when I TC my commanders, it is only my immediate underlinings in higher commands, especially my brigadiers when playing a division commander. Not so much at the regimental level unless I'm in very close quarters or doing something the AI hates, i.e., running headlong in column toward an artillery position. Indeed, this can cause many problems, and I have lost many captured over the years for forgetting to unTC units.

I just get worried about brigadiers and division commanders taking large actions that thwart my tactical strategy. It's my inner dictator I guess.

I agree that the counter-charge should not be automatic, especially if a unit is at a location gaining a defensive terrain bonus. I suppose that a counter-charge would help take away some of the initiative from the attacker. However, if a defending unit is behind a stone wall, fence or breastwork, I can't imagine why they would want to jump out from behind those barriers and take on a charging enemy without the benefit of those obstacles hampering the charge. It just doesn't make sense to me.