The Command Post and Tactical Formations

[Der BabyHund]

I guess I’m on a mission to revamp old buildings to make them more interesting. Please check out my post on revamping the Archive. This post is going to be about the Command Post, which, in my opinion, is the second most boring building in the game after the Archive. Other than spawning special troops once on defense, it does not offer much. Here is how I think this building could become more interesting.

Please Read This First

But first I would like to echo what other players have been saying about (1) fixing bugs first and (2) extensively testing new features before implementation to avoid running into new bugs and to also ensure a fair balance between offense and defense.

Basically, I believe that fixing bugs and new features are not mutually exclusive and we should ask for BOTH. I would like to see bugs getting fixed asap, but I’d also like to see new features being implemented down the road.


The Command Post

The main idea is to introduce additional offensive and defensive capabilities to the Command Post.

Offense

On offense, the Command Post will allow players to group some of their troops together in a formation that is led by a General. Troops can be organized in two lines behind the General before battle. This formation can be deployed as one unit during battle and will maintain the same speed and keep its formation until its leading General is killed, at which point these troops will disperse and attack in a regular manner.

Additionally, an offensive command can be assigned to the formation to give it an extra buff. This buff will go away once the leading General dies.

The Command Post will offer the following tactical formations:

Team - 4 units
Squad - 6 units
Platoon - 8 units
Battalion - 10 units
Brigade - 12 units

Players will start with the smallest formation (Team) and unlock larger formations as they upgrade their Command Post.

Keep in mind that these formations are not additional troops. They only allow you to group some of your already existing troops together. Only one formation will be allowed. The goal is NOT to have all your troops in formations, press a button, and watch the battle unfold as you fall asleep. The goal is rather to allow players to get creative with some of their troops while staying engaged with the battle.

Example

After training troops, players can go to the Command Post and create their formation. A high level Command Post will let you choose any of the formations; in this case, a Brigade for example.

You will then have 12 spaces that can be arranged however you like in two lines behind the leading General. For example, you can have General-6-6 or General-5-7 or General-8-4 etc… These numbers refer to the number of troop units.

In this example, let’s say the player arranged their Brigade as follows: General Hannibal - 7 mortars - 5 artillery.

After creating the formation, the player may assign an offensive command to it. For example, an offensive command to move 15% faster, or to fire 20% faster, or to detect and disarm traps etc…


Defense

On defense, the Command Post will issue defensive commands that can be assigned to defensive buildings in close proximity. The defensive command will end as soon as the Command Post is destroyed. Additionally, the Command Post will continually spawn special troops not just once.


Both offensive and defensive commands can be leveled up through research in the Command Post which should have two research slots—one free and the other can be unlocked for 1000 crowns.

Needless to say, offensive and defensive commands should be unique and distinct from the drone directives.

Finally, all the examples and numbers I gave are all negotiable; the main idea is to introduce additional offensive and defensive capabilities to make this building more effective and interesting.

 

[Chartlux]

Defense

On defense, the Command Post will issue defensive commands that can be assigned to defensive buildings in close proximity. The defensive command will end as soon as the Command Post is destroyed. Additionally, the Command Post will continually spawn special troops not just once.

 

[47NZ]

good stuff

 

[Romeo Jellybean]

Does the 2 lines stay static while attackers are walking around them? or do they change their stance depending where the attackers are coming from?
if the attackers are flanking on each side do the defending lines meet to face each side? then the lines are suddenly broken and probably not as effective. I like the idea of a general adding a buff to troops though, I think all generals should have different buffs depending on which troops are deployed near them

 

[Seek]

Overall a well thought out post great job.

 

[Der BabyHund]

Does the 2 lines stay static while attackers are walking around them? or do they change their stance depending where the attackers are coming from?
if the attackers are flanking on each side do the defending lines meet to face each side? then the lines are suddenly broken and probably not as effective. I like the idea of a general adding a buff to troops though, I think all generals should have different buffs depending on which troops are deployed near them

Great question! I imagine that the troops can’t be that rigid; I mean they have to face the defenders and fight back.

For example, if the formation is being attacked by defenders from both sides, the troops closest to the right would fight back the defenders attacking from that direction. Same thing for troops closest to the other side.

The main goal is to take advantage of the different strengths of different troops and get creative by combining troops that complement each other in one group.

For example, artillery is great at firing at buildings from a distance but they’re vulnerable to defenders and get overwhelmed easily. That’s why most people use mortars with them because mortars are good with defenders. The problem is sometimes artillery troops wander off on their own which defeats the whole purpose of using this troop combination. Granted you can regroup using rally but having the option of using some of your troops that are already grouped together is nice.

These formations will (1) allow players to group certain troops that complement each other without the fear of some troops wandering off, and (2) give generals an actual job to do which is to lead and provide a special buff to the surrounding troops—as someone here once said currently, generals are just glorified decoys.