question

[The Witch King of Angmar]

My dad played AOE but now plays BFME and he told me the units had multiple formations. Maybe each unit would be able to pick between like line, wedge, or loose formations. That would work well in my opinion.

[Gallivan]

That's a good point.

Every unit could have the same basic 3-4 formations, but some may have a basic flare. For example, Elven cavalry might shoot their bows right before a charge while in a wedge formation; or Human infantry might have the first row use their shields and the second row use long spears in a line formation.

Something that adds to the depth of each race a little more, while making the user go 'Wow'.

[Darvin]

You don't need a lot of formations; most end up going unused anyways. The only one I actually find meaningful in most games is loose formation for avoiding projectile attacks on my troops. I'd prefer to keep it simple and cut the unnecessary ones that are just stats modifiers. Put the complexity on features that are interesting, not formations that give stats modifiers.

Formations for the sake of stats modifiers just increase micromanagement, as 90% of the time there is obvious a "best" stance choice. Because of this, there realistically isn't any player choice, and it's all about clicking quickly to change to the appropriate formation for the situation.

[The Witch King of Angmar]

Originally Posted by Darvin

You don't need a lot of formations; most end up going unused anyways. The only one I actually find meaningful in most games is loose formation for avoiding projectile attacks on my troops. I'd prefer to keep it simple and cut the unnecessary ones that are just stats modifiers. Put the complexity on features that are interesting, not formations that give stats modifiers.

Formations for the sake of stats modifiers just increase micromanagement, as 90% of the time there is obvious a "best" stance choice. Because of this, there realistically isn't any player choice, and it's all about clicking quickly to change to the appropriate formation for the situation.

Heck, I normally use formations so it would be valuable to me.

[Gallivan]

I understand your point Darvin.

What Reverie could do, however, is take the Total War route and offer Loose and Tight as the basic formations for all units (loose against ranged, tight against melee).

Then, should other units REALLY need another formation (cavalry wedge, spearwall) it can be added as a special unit bonus (read: spearman schiltrom formation) in which they sacrifice a skillset for that formation privilege.

[The Witch King of Angmar]

Originally Posted by Gallivan

I understand your point Darvin.

What Reverie could do, however, is take the Total War route and offer Loose and Tight as the basic formations for all units (loose against ranged, tight against melee).

Then, should other units REALLY need another formation (cavalry wedge, spearwall) it can be added as a special unit bonus (read: spearman schiltrom formation) in which they sacrifice a skillset for that formation privilege.

Ok I agree with that. I really like wedge formatgion though that would look odd for swordsman and pikes.