How do you manage formation depth?

Hello forum,

I have a question considering formation depth. I have a group which contain for example line infantry and grenadiers. When I drag them into the line, width of each unit is the same, but depth is different because of different quantity.

What I want to do is to have one nice group of units with same depth - let's say 3 rows (without micromanagement of course).

I've played tw games since always but never figure out how to deal with this. So I ask you, do you have any tips how to manage formatiom detph?

Have a nice day,
Damian

actually, it is one thing done right - there were a rules written for combat unit how big frontage it should occupy. If there wasnt enough of soldiers to keep same frontage, third line was disbanded and soldiers reinforced the first and second line.

Oh, didn't know it's historical issue. Although, for gameplay purpose this feature would be usefull. Moreover it actually works at the beggening when you deploy troops, did you notice? By default, your whole front line has constant depth despite of quantity in each units

i dont think they did it that way because it is historical... they just added a limiter that defies how long formation can be...

The more ranks a unit has, the easier is to manouvre it on a battlefield. If you want to achieve maximum fire efficiency, put the unit into a single rank.
For example: 3 ranks deep unit of grenadiers will be easier to move, change positions and better for a bayonet charge but in a firefight it would be better to have it one rank deep "formation".
So - if you prefer french attitude (one volley and chaaaarge!), put units in deeper formations. If you prefer british one (thin lines, lethal fire) - than use shallow ones - 1 rank preferably (may be just few soldiers in reserve to fill the gaps). If you play as Russia, it is certain, what tactics should be used :-)

Originally Posted by ztn3

The more ranks a unit has, the easier is to manouvre it on a battlefield. If you want to achieve maximum fire efficiency, put the unit into a single rank.
For example: 3 ranks deep unit of grenadiers will be easier to move, change positions and better for a bayonet charge but in a firefight it would be better to have it one rank deep "formation".
So - if you prefer french attitude (one volley and chaaaarge!), put units in deeper formations. If you prefer british one (thin lines, lethal fire) - than use shallow ones - 1 rank preferably (may be just few soldiers in reserve to fill the gaps). If you play as Russia, it is certain, what tactics should be used :-)

Well this is actually not the subject of my question but thank you anyway.

Strict technical issue, let me ilustrate:

How can you get this:

xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx xx <- they are less exposed to enemy fire
xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx xx
xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx xx

instead of this:

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx <- they will probably rout in a few seconds
xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx

by fastest way possible (without micromanaging). Get my point?
I know it might be impossible but maybe someone dealth with this. For me it's quite irritating.

Sorry to read you wrong.
If I want to move my formations in mentioned order, I select the group and only one-click them to a new position (using spacebar to check out if the position is correct). Because if you hold the mouse button, it has the effect you described.
But I have to say I usually find the group-movement system not working properly, so I must often move the units myself one by one...