Engage v Engage at will?

[Big Dawg KS 6]

Yes you can do that, but the whole point of Disengage is to cancel the other two Engage orders, is it not?

[frederf 0]

Has anyone actually managed to get their AI squad members to move out of formation with "engage at will" without first assigning them a target?

Yes. Engaging requires that they have a current target of course but the AI squad members happily take initiative and assign themselves targets just as if they are in formation and shooting out at targets normally.

[stun 5]

@Frederf

So you are saying that for "engage at will" to work you must first assign the AI a target, but after that target is destroyed they will use their own initiative to attack other targets in that group?

[frederf 0]

To engage a target, the AI must have a target assigned. This can be done by having the target assigned from the group leader or the AI can assign itself a target. After a target is destroyed the AI should target any other threats they know about.

[stun 5]

@Frederf

I haven't managed to get an AI team member to assign themselves a target and engage in A2 using "engage at will". AI Team leaders obviously assign their own targets to engage, but units under my direct command never do.

Were you refering to AI under the direct control of the player?

[fabrizio_t 58]

@fabrizio_T

There is an "engage" and "open fire" in the engage menu. It would be strange if they both did the same thing.

Ok, sorry ;)

[frederf 0]

@Frederf

I haven't managed to get an AI team member to assign themselves a target and engage in A2 using "engage at will". AI Team leaders obviously assign their own targets to engage, but units under my direct command never do.

Were you refering to AI under the direct control of the player?

Yes I was. When the group of AI I'm leading knowsAbout several targets and I set them to EngageAtWill they will often shout ENGAGING! and run off like chickens after the targets, usually to die but they do do it.

[ericfr 0]

The only difference between "engage" and "engage at will"

-A unit with "engage at will" is always ready to engage assigned targets by the leader

-With "engage" the leader must assign a target before to order "engage", and repeats the process for a next target.

Disengage is broken in action but after a regroup, "disengage" cancels "engage at will".

Edited October 6, 2009 by EricFr

[Steakslim 1]

Engage is better, being that's the command that Capt Picard always gives.