Square Formation

**chewbacca10000** · March 20, 2009, 12:31 PM

Has anyone else had trouble getting troop to go into square formation?

Not once have I been able to use square formation. Once researched (or even in custom battles), it is always grayed out and unselectable.

This remains the case no matter the terrain (conceivably, squares might not be allowed on some terrain).

I don't think that I have seen others discuss this possible bug.

If it would be helpful, I can try to upload a screenshot later.

**schatzi** · March 20, 2009, 05:54 PM

some units can't form a square. they have to be line infantry. lesser troops apparently lack the cohesion.

**chewbacca10000** · March 21, 2009, 12:22 PM

Understood. Thanks. I can't get line infantry to form squares.

**Skyphos** · March 21, 2009, 03:03 PM

A screenshot would be awesome. I've had lots of success with my square formations...I havent seen their arc of fire once they get in this formation though. I got a good guess, and units fire properly (most of the time), but I'd still like to see it.

**Baka_yarou_elRey** · March 21, 2009, 07:55 PM

I've managed to get my units to go into square formation but, even if fire-at-will is activated, they ehh ... don't fire-at-will! I have to manually right-click on an enemy unit to start them firing

which is particularly annoying if you quickly formed them into square before a cavalry unit got into range, go deal with something else on the battlefield, only to come back in time to see your guys aren't firing at the cavalry, just watching them ride up and smash into them

... they eventually win, 120 bayonet-wielding mad men tend to unnerve even the bravest of horses. However, the cavalry's charge should have been nowhere near as effective because my guys should have launched at least 3 rounds into them before they hit. I'm actually finding it more useful to remain in line formation to deal with cavalry. That way I have between 40 and 60 men all firing into the cavalry as they approach.

**Reiver** · March 21, 2009, 08:21 PM

What unit size is the OP using? I've noticed that after you increase the unit beyond 300 or so men you can't form square.

**ilikeicehockey** · March 21, 2009, 09:30 PM

Should also be 3 ranks with colors in the middle. With a full unit, the colors (flags) usually fill the second rank. It should be in the middle and act as a rallying point.
They also definitely get a bonus against cav in square. A usual two rank line would just get slaughtered but a 2 line square doesn't.

**Skyphos** · March 21, 2009, 11:04 PM

LoL. I only did square with one unit card (120 line infantry) at one time. Ima have to go try a multi-card square.

**Iscariott** · March 22, 2009, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Skyphos

LoL. I only did square with one unit card (120 line infantry) at one time. Ima have to go try a multi-card square.

I've yet to see that work, though the advisor loves bringing it up.

**Zenn** · April 04, 2009, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by chewbacca10000

Has anyone else had trouble getting troop to go into square formation?

Not once have I been able to use square formation. Once researched (or even in custom battles), it is always grayed out and unselectable.

This remains the case no matter the terrain (conceivably, squares might not be allowed on some terrain).

I don't think that I have seen others discuss this possible bug.

If it would be helpful, I can try to upload a screenshot later.

I've been experiencing the exact same problem/bug. I researched square formation 20 turns ago and still in battles I can't get my line inf to use it. The square formation button is there but 'greyed out' and doesn't work. Any ideas?

**nostradamouse** · April 04, 2009, 12:37 PM

If you use line of infantry under a certain number of troops the button will simply be grayed out.

Meaning that researching square formation is utterly useless if you usest the smallest unit setting