Formation

See also Help:Battle Formations

A Marshal has the option to set (through the Command menu) a battle formation to use.

When either the Vice-Marshal or Marshal participate in a battle the army's troops will be deployed according to the selected formation. If multiple allied armies (and their respective staff) participate in a battle, then each army will follow the formation set by their Marshal. Therefore it's important for allied armies to agree beforehand on a common formation to use.

The availability of some advanced formations depends on the leadership skill of the battle commander. Peasant militia units often do not follow the formation settings, because they are too disorganized.

It is important to remember that Mixed Infantry and Ranged Special Forces are deployed sometimes with Infantry and sometimes with Archers depending on the formation (Melee Special Forces are always with Infantry, or so it seems). Where it was possible in the following battle sketches it has been pointed out where they are usually deployed.

Offensive Formations

Infantry Charge

One of the three basic formations that all Marshals (regardless of their Leadership score) know. As a general rule of thumb, if you have an infantry-heavy army you might wish to use this formation.

Infantry units deployed up front, archers behind them and cavalry in the back so they can charge into the melee.

RearGuard	Back	Middle	Front	Enemy >
	Cavalry	Archers Ranged SF	Infantry Mixed Infantry

Archer Opening

Another basic formation. The Archers are in the front row, the infantry right behind them, with the cavalry further back. The idea is that the archers will likely get one shot in at point blank range before they meet the enemy's front line. But with their Infantry right behind them, also moving forward, it tends to cause most of your army to hit the enemy's front line at the same time, with the Cavalry hitting in the next turn (or at the same time if your enemy doesn't have a font line).

RearGuard	Back	Middle	Front	Enemy >
Cavalry	Ranged SF	Infantry	Archers Mixed Infantry

Cavalry Charge

The last of the basic offensive formations. In this formation, cavalry units are deployed up front to be killed first in melee without supporting infantry, with infantry following up to finish the defeat. Archers are deployed further back to obtain the maximum range penalty possible.

Rearguard	Back	Middle	Front	Enemy >
	Archers	Infantry	Cavalry

Waves

An intermediate formation, only available to Marshals with sufficient Leadership. Sets your attacking force up in mixed waves of roughly equal strength. This strategy can be very successful at obtaining defeat against an enemy who has his units strictly concentrated on single combat lines.

Soften and Charge

Another intermediate formation, only available to Marshals with sufficient Leadership.A more complicated strategy that begins with an archer opening, followed by a cavalry charge, all to soften up the enemy before the infantry mops them up. If you have many archers and some cavalry against a mostly infantry opponent, this formation can break them up before the real battle even begins.

RearGuard	Back	Middle	Front	Enemy >
	Cavalry	Archers Infantry Special Forces

Careful Attack

A fairly complicated setup, where infantry charges in waves while archers hold their ground and support them. Cavalry adds to the melee, charging from the back. Only useful for a well-mixed army.

This is an advanced formation that changes the units' formation settings.

Weakening Skirmish

An attack in waves where units charge in groups to deal maximum damage, then withdraw quickly to preserve their strength. Good to soften up the enemy prior to a main attack on the next turn.

This is an advanced formation that changes the units' formation settings and withdraw limits.

Defensive Formations

Infantry Wall

A basic formation, available to all Marshals. Deploy all infantry units in one strong row, in order to stop the enemy dead in his tracks. Mixed infantry reinforces the wall while softening up the approaching enemy. Archers stand behind the wall, showering the enemy with arrows as he approaches. Cavalry is deployed far back, charging in once the melee is underway.

< Enemy	Front	Middle	Back	Rearguard
	Infantry Mixed Infantry	Archers		Cavalry

Fortification Defense

Another basic formation, available to all Marshals. This formation is for fortifications. It deploys most units atop the walls, including archers. Cavalry is kept back inside the fortification in order to charge out in order to break the enemy ranks apart.

< Enemy	Front	Middle	Back	Rearguard
	Infantry Archers		Cavalry

They Shall Not Pass

This formation deploys all units in box formation for maximum resilience and staggers them for maximum defensive value - infantry back, archers right behind them, cavalry in the rear. The purpose of this setup is to last as long as possible, exhausting the enemy. It is quite useful to break the impact of charge formations. This is an advanced formation that changes the units' formation settings.

< Enemy	Front	Middle	Back	Rearguard
			Infantry	Archers Cavalry

Strategic Withdraw

A formation set for dealing some damage to the enemy and then withdrawing quickly. Units are deployed with archers up front and others behind them, hoping to engage the enemy in one large melee where every unit has the best chances to retreat without being slaughtered. This is an advanced formation that changes the units' formation settings and withdraw limits.

< Enemy	Front	Middle	Back	Rearguard
	Archers	Infantry		Cavalry

If you wish to suggest new marshal formations, you can post it here -> Marshal/New_Marshal_Formations

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