there needs to be a little gauge showing how many men have loaded weapons

**NYG 5** · April 02, 2009, 09:46 PM

its annoying when im staring down a charge, waiting for the perfect time to fire, and then when it comes i hit the fire at will button and everyone starts reloading

**HamsterofDoom** · April 02, 2009, 09:56 PM

I second this idea... Cossacks II did this perfectly.

**Yojimbo** · April 03, 2009, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by HamsterofDoom

I second this idea... Cossacks II did this perfectly.

Agreed Cossacks 2 had some of the best interface elements i have ever seen in a rts. The loading bar and the detailed unit range was an excellent idea. ETW desperately needs a loading bar to time vollies its a wonder its not in. I just use the anmations and memory to remember how loaded a unit is.

**Kazang** · April 03, 2009, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by HamsterofDoom

I second this idea... Cossacks II did this perfectly.

This.

I dont think we need a "broadside button" for infantry but we do need a "Fire!" button/command.
A good solution i think, would be to have Alt+Right click, be a "Fire at this unit right now" command, not form up and fire when ready.
Somewhat akin to the "Focus fire" command but with an instant effect.

**Yojimbo** · April 03, 2009, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Kazang

This.

I dont think we need a "broadside button" for infantry but we do need a "Fire!" button/command.
A good solution i think, would be to have Alt+Right click, be a "Fire at this unit right now" command, not form up and fire when ready.
Somewhat akin to the "Focus fire" command but with an instant effect.

Which was stated countless times before release, totally ignored and now we get rifles charged by cavalry and not shooting because one guy isn't in position. not to mention they take about a second to aim and fire. I hate seeign cavalry comign and knowing i cant do anything.

**Phier** · April 03, 2009, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by ForlornHope.

Which was stated countless times before release, totally ignored and now we get rifles charged by cavalry and not shooting because one guy isn't in position. not to mention they take about a second to aim and fire. I hate seeign cavalry comign and knowing i cant do anything.

Yea its special when that happens.

Basically just keep your guys in line with fire at will on, trying to micro manage them turns into hair pulling frustration.

**Humble Warrior** · April 03, 2009, 07:23 PM

Strange. when I was playing and I took fire at will off, I was always pleased to see them reloading in preperation, but since I put away my game another Patch might have screwed this...

**Daergar** · April 02, 2009, 10:22 PM

Well, it would also be nice if everyone did not wait on a handful of guys to fire. A percentage would do the trick just fine.

**akinkhoo** · April 02, 2009, 10:24 PM

it should be like the navy thing, you should be able to direct fire like the broadside thing.

**Anbar** · April 03, 2009, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by akinkhoo

it should be like the navy thing, you should be able to direct fire like the broadside thing.

now that is a rather good idea.

**LtChambers** · April 03, 2009, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by akinkhoo

it should be like the navy thing, you should be able to direct fire like the broadside thing.

That would be really cool! Hit the button once for "Ready...Aim..." and then hit it again for "FIRE!" If there was a system like this, then you could tell how many units were ready to fire by their animation state (you can do this now actually by judging which ones are still ramming their rods, but it's harder to see than soldiers holding their guns up perpendicular).

**IGdood** · April 02, 2009, 11:49 PM

Don't units reload even if you turned fire at will off?

**Wally** · April 02, 2009, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by IGdood

Don't units reload even if you turned fire at will off?

That what I thought but I ended up same problem as NYG 5 prolly since patch?

**Frederf** · April 03, 2009, 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by IGdood

Don't units reload even if you turned fire at will off?

Most do. Some dragoons and I think rifles don't reload when idle until they are ordered to attack again.

My personal opinion is to have the little green nippled circle under their feet change colors from green to dark green or similar based on their reload status.

Also cannons need to have separate reloading and firing status.

**Ragga** · April 03, 2009, 06:29 AM

i've stated this since the demo... it would be really easy to implement. if you choose to disable fire at will, you would have the option to wait till all are reloaded (like the navy broadside) and to shoot when ready...

the only complication that would occur - but could be resolved with some thought - would be based on your fire'n tech... early era would only need to show the front line's XX/XX number... but once you have more it may be a bit more challenge'n

**General_Meevious** · April 03, 2009, 10:01 AM

I agree. The "push stick in gun" animation is a bit like those substitute loading bars which go around and around... or come up with an identical loading bar once the first one completes. I hate not being able to check progress. All units should reload as soon as they get a chance. It's not that dangerous to run around with a loaded musket, the static from your hand is not going to accidentally ignite the powder. You should also be able to order the men to fire at specific times, even if they haven't necessarily finished loading. They should try, dammit.

**Sorkenlol** · April 03, 2009, 10:15 AM

We, or atleast I, need a reload and a fire button aswell. I can't recall how many times I've brought my ranged cavalry back from a gunfight so that they can reload (except they DON'T) and then run back and shoot again. Instead they run back, THEN they start to reload in the heat of battle.

A reload button would be extremely useful against melee infantry, using the kiting tactic, shoot, run away, reload, run back, shoot, run away, reload, etc.

**Iceman22** · April 03, 2009, 10:21 AM

I agree. I was originally thinking of this for artillery, but would be great for infantry as well.

**Pandemonium4423** · April 03, 2009, 01:46 PM

IMO they should add a volly button like the broadsides from ships, press the button once everyone loads, see a little bar fill up to show the progress till 100% ready, press the button second time for everyone (depending on firing tech) to fire!

**Spiff** · April 03, 2009, 01:49 PM

They should colour the green circles under individual soldiers to represent status.. blue for empty/reloading and green for ready to fire or something. Would have been red but that would clash with how enemy units are represented.