Customizable Squad Formations

[victim913 10]

The formations that come with the game are helpful but there isn't a whole lot of variety. You pretty much have varieties of a wedge, varieties of a column, and line and delta. The problem with that is that you can't choose who goes where. It's all based on rank ( unless that changed recently). I think I noticed vehicles have kind of escaped the rank, but they still either get first or last and still run over your squad.

Ideally, you should be able to choose where the vehicle should go. Sometimes front is good, other times (say when tanks are around) you may want the vehicle last in order for infantry to either take out the tanks, or maneuver your vehicle to a place it won't get ripped apart.

Not only that, if the vehicle is last or even towards the end, it can be far away from the fighting because of a wedge formation or such. Where you want the infantry in a wedge to protect them but now vehicle is too far away.

Yes, you can constantly tell your vehicle where to go, or your units for that matter. but that can be a hassle if your on the move and don't know where enemies are. It can triple the time it takes to get somewhere.

I have a couple ideas that can improve what we have now, but the first idea pretty much blows the others away. Implementing it is the question:

- My preference:

-Using the format now with the numbers assigning formation, leave 1-8 predetermined formations that would be ideal. Right now it's as if someone just picked formations from a dictionary. I mean really think out which would be best.

The 2nd part of that is to leave 9 and 0 customizable. For example:

You're patrolling on the streets looking for enemy. All the regular formations keep your men in odd places. Telling each unit where to go every time you advance takes too long. So:

First, tell each man where you want him to be. Once you have everyone in place, highlight them and push "shift 9" and set everyone where they are. So now everytime you want them in that formation 9 will be assigned for it.

Now move forward through the city like you want. You can stack most to one side, or a few forward a few back, or make someone else the point man, using you as the base. I never thought leaders were supposed to be lead so they can get killed first. So if you move forward so does everyone else. Right now it's difficult to put someone forward and have them keep that distance. Of course they would stay relative not perfect or else units will get pushed into a wall and get stuck etc..

It would be ideal when vehicles are in your group.

Second. How many times has this happened where you're in a wedge formation and you tell number 7,8,9 to go to a hill and 7 and 9 are close to each other yet 8 is standing 60 meters away from them? It's because they stay in formation relative to each other.

Having a second option, 0, would allow you to break off a group from your formation, and allow them to stay in their own formation without getting caught up with the first.

Just highlight a group of people for #9 and a group for #0. Or just use 1.

It works great for groups like Stryker teams. You can keep the Stryker on the road while your men go through the buildings. Instead, right now you get your Stryker stuck half of the time because he's trying to fit in a backyard somewhere.

There are so many ways this could be really effective.

Another idea I had was the following ( but I don't think it compares to the first one) I don't know how you can top that one, but at least this next one is still better than current system):

-have seperate types of formation for different types of squads.

-Infantry has a set

-Mechanized, or motorized infantry a different set that takes into account specific vehicle spots

-Vehicle squads to capitalize on their specialties

Anyone agree or have other ideas?

Thanks

Edited August 10, 2011 by victim913
looked too much like a runon sentence

[CameronMcDonald 146]

Having a second option, 0, would allow you to break off a group from your formation, and allow them to stay in their own formation without getting caught up with the first.

Just highlight a group of people for #9 and a group for #0. Or just use 1.

It works great for groups like Stryker teams. You can keep the Stryker on the road while your men go through the buildings. Instead, right now you get your Stryker stuck half of the time because he's trying to fit in a backyard somewhere.

Make teams. Use option 9. I always separate my section into vehicles and fireteams... and the medic, who immediately receives "stay back!"

[dmarkwick 261]

I really like the addon that form the group into an all-round defence formation, centred on the leader. So that formation is a must IMO :) (Even though it's a static position formation.)

Along with the spacing, it should be possible to add Increase Spacing and Decrease Spacing commands, where spacings between units can step up & down in 5m increments say.

Edited August 11, 2011 by DMarkwick

[.kju 3245]

BIKI: cfgFormations

BIF: cfgFormations

[2nd ranger 282]

I hate the rigid formations. Nothing looks more ridiculous than seeing a 12-man squad running over a hill in perfect wedge formation, or the same squad just standing at an objective. Some of that is down to lazy mission design, but the formations being a bit more dynamic would help.

[paecmaker 23]

I always use the "delta I think" formation, looks slightly less ridiculous.

[rye1 21]

Cool ideas. I think there should be some extras depending on vehicular or foot patrol, e.g. vehicular can have the 2-up formation and stuff. Deffo like the all around defence idea, a double column for roadways might not be a bad idea either.

[mr_centipede 31]

I think what actually needed is "tighten" formation and "loosen" formation command

[Nielsen 10]

I think the OP suggestion is way cool, and would love to be able to specify my own formations on the fly. However, I would also settle for a 'tighten' and 'loosen' formation option. Thoose are really needed!