Stamina buttons and formation attack?

[Eidolan]

All the units in DeI have these stamina "abilities". I know they are most likely there just to tell you how long winded a unit is but it looks like you can toggle them on and off. So my question is does anything happen when you click a units stamina button?

Formation attack: If you turn this off will units go back to their vanilla behavior of making "mosh pits"? If so this might be useful in some flanking attacks in cities where the "block" of units wont fit around a corner. Do units in formation gain a bonus due to the tight ranks? Is formation attack just for the "civil" empires? Or do barbarian units have it too for the sake of balance? (Only played as Rome so far)

[Dresden]

In general turning off formation attack gives an advantage to the player because the AI can't do it. Having said that, there may be some circumstances where it makes sense to use it (sieges) to help with pathfinding.

[Eidolan]

It's a shame it works like that, you'd think the blobbing troops would be hurt by their ranks becoming thinner as they spread around. I know this is an engine limitation and it is nice that DeI brought the feel of the ordered battles lines of Rome I back even if they are technically a nerf by the games wonky engine. In Rome I the depth and width of your lines made such a huge impact. Sucks some of that "depth" is missing. (sorry that pun was just right there lol)

[Eidolan]

So what is the correct way to rotate troops? Or is it not really practical to do so and just let them fight on if they are "stuck" in combat and only rotate troops if their current target dies / routs?

[Eidolan]

I would think that units turning into "blobs" would be a down side, so the side who's troops are in orderly lines of battle is at a DISADVANTAGE to the army who's troops are in blobs? Or only unfair in that I can turn it off in the FEW areas it would be useful, as stated before in tight city spaces. I guess to restate it more clearly, If you had two armies of the same exact units on 100% open flat ground, and one side was in formation attack and the other wasn't who would win?

[leonardusius]

I would think that units turning into "blobs" would be a down side, so the side who's troops are in orderly lines of battle is at a DISADVANTAGE to the army who's troops are in blobs? Or only unfair in that I can turn it off in the FEW areas it would be useful, as stated before in tight city spaces. I guess to restate it more clearly, If you had two armies of the same exact units on 100% open flat ground, and one side was in formation attack and the other wasn't who would win?

Seems nobody cares or listen that many times I had say that was the realistic way of fight of most barbarian troops in ancient times; blobbing was a reality on most battlefields. Why peoples are so intrigued about this ?

[FlashHeart07]

The army with formation attack turned OFF, would win the fight as their units would be able to go around the enemy and thereby recieve a bonus to attack and inflict morale penalties to the enemy as the game engine will see it as attacks to their flanks.

[Eidolan]

Oh so can anyone tell me what clicking on the stamina button does? I know the tool tips on the loading screens tell you to keep and eye on them and "rotate" troops who are tired but it seems like when I back a unit out of combat even if a new one is marching in behind / though the old one they take MASSIVE causalities and rout and it's better off to let them fight tired.

[FlashHeart07]

It shouldnt do anything as it is only there to inform you about the units starting stamina. Due to how the game engine works pulling troops out this way will cause them to die quickly.

[leonardusius]

It shouldnt do anything as it is only there to inform you about the units starting stamina. Due to how the game engine works pulling troops out this way will cause them to die quickly.

Now, that's an issue that must to be corrected. Always I encountered such unrealistic situation. Off course tired units retreating get more casualties but the real battles told us that was not a suicide move but a tactical one most times.......so, please do something.

[FlashHeart07]

Now, that's an issue that must to be corrected. Always I encountered such unrealistic situation. Off course tired units retreating get more casualties but the real battles told us that was not a suicide move but a tactical one most times.......so, please do something.

This has been answered countless of times. Game engine limitations.

[FlashHeart07]

Or you could try and engage with the second unit first and then try and pull the first one out. I know that for cavalry you will take fewer losses when withdrawing if doing so in the thinest line possible.

[dahooscarl]

Or you could try and engage with the second unit first and then try and pull the first one out. I know that for cavalry you will take fewer losses when withdrawing if doing so in the thinest line possible.

A good way to practice this is siege battles on UN walled towns. March in with a couple units behind one another. Let the first ranks fight until they get Active, then order your reserve unit into the fray. Wait till they've engaged, then order your first unit (dragging the icon to see the ranks or double left click on the target location, not sure which is more effective) you may order them to pull back a couple times. Your first unit will run through the gaps of the second, then the second will close ranks. Repeat until done.

Also when pulling cavalry out of melee making sure thier out of wedge formation first greatly reduces the casualties they take.