Ways to improve on command groups

[safe-keeper]

So one thing I miss in Red Dragon is the ability to form larger units out of individual sections/squads of units and vehicles. For example, if I send a team of AT infantry, a recon vehicle and a couple tanks in a certain direction to provide overwatch, it'd be nice to designate them as a "platoon" or whatever for organisation purposes. Kinda like how you could organise your divisions into corps in Hearts of Iron 3.

I know what I'm asking for is basically covered by simply hitting Ctrl+1 to create a command group , but it'd be nice if, since this is a more advanced RTT game, this system was a tiny bit more advanced as well. For example if, when I had no units selected, I saw a row of icons along the bottom of my screen showing each platoon/command group. This'd be a nice way to have a handy overview of my force, as it'd not only be a reminder as to which command group was which, but also provide an at-a-glance indication of things like low fuel, units under attack (icon would flash to indicate this), units aiming/firing their weapons, and so on. Select one of the command group, or any other unit, and you'd see icons for those units as normal.

Having info on your entire force like this without having to zoom all the way out or having one icon for each unit cluttering up the screen would be very handy.

A further idea could be to be able to shift+click to select several platoons for then to hit Ctrl+# to create a command group out of several platoons, while still keeping the platoon icons separate for easy reference.

How would this be useful? Let's say that I deploy three teams of AA units, recon vehicles for spotting, and a logi vehicle for supplies. I send them in three different directions. Now, it'd be nice to be able to select all of them at once to for example turn off their radars quickly, and it'd be nice to select one of the teams at a time to check on them. The system above lets you do this easily.

Hope this made sense, it's late at night here .

 

[Wicca]

Yeah. I agree with this too.

 

[safe-keeper]

Thank you, I was afraid people would just find the post rambling .

A hierarchy like this was so useful in Hearts of Iron III, except of course I don't think Hearts of Iron III-style on-map HQs would fit this game.

 

[Bennyy]

I think this would be great, but unlikely to make the May release. As you said, Ctrl+# should provide the basic functionality, then hope modders can add an additional layer. I'd love to have 2/3 companies under my battalion-level command, each with their own 3 or so platoons.

 

[safe-keeper]

Actually, just the ability to select units and Ctrl+# assign them while still in the battle setup screen would be highly useful. Often in EE and Red Dragon, they end up in a big jumble, and then I have to find the right ones to give orders to once the battle starts.

 

[UltimateIdiot]

A hierarchy like this was so useful in Hearts of Iron III

Have my babies.
I loved the OOB system as well, and was disappointed when it didn't make the cut for HoI4, and modders haven't been able to/are not able to replicate it. It was a pain in the ass to set up, sure, but IMO it added a lot of depth to the game. And once you actually managed to set it up how you wanted it, it was fairly easy and simple to navigate, keep track of troops, and organize reserves and frontlines separately. Granted, there was still some weird things with it (what do you mean I can't operate an AI theater from an allied country?) but it was still better than what we got now. HoI4 battle-planner combined with HoI3's OOB system would've been a dream come true.

As far as the suggestion in OP, I'm kind of on the fence. I think it'd just delay the start-up of MP matches, and clutter the screen. But I wouldn't be totally against it, if only for the flavor.

 

[safe-keeper]

Have my babies.
I loved the OOB system as well, and was disappointed when it didn't make the cut for HoI4, and modders haven't been able to/are not able to replicate it. It was a pain in the ass to set up, sure, but IMO it added a lot of depth to the game. And once you actually managed to set it up how you wanted it, it was fairly easy and simple to navigate, keep track of troops, and organize reserves and frontlines separately. Granted, there was still some weird things with it (what do you mean I can't operate an AI theater from an allied country?) but it was still better than what we got now. HoI4 battle-planner combined with HoI3's OOB system would've been a dream come true.

As far as the suggestion in OP, I'm kind of on the fence. I think it'd just delay the start-up of MP matches, and clutter the screen. But I wouldn't be totally against it, if only for the flavor.

Yeah, I strongly disliked it at first, but after some nudging from forummers, I decided to give it a chance. For all its shortcomings, it can be incredibly useful, and it does make the game feel a lot more immersive, which is a nice added "bonus".

 

[Bennyy]

Its exclusion from HOI4 was the final straw in me not buying it.

 

[safe-keeper]

If anyone wants to try out a game that uses a hierarchy for units, try Armored Task Force or any of the other games by ProSIM. The game isn't free, but there's a 12 MB demo you can download. You can select and interact with individual units or for example companies, and it's hugely useful.