Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-28153737-20180907070856

I know that battle formations have been suggested many times before, and I believe that I myself have suggested a way to implement them (but I forget the details). What I am suggesting here is not organized battle "formations" per say, but rather a way to keep units from moving around while being ready, and to direct them around from a distance.

First, there should be a new command horn, the formation horn. Like the ready/halt horn, it would change between two actions each time it is blown. These actions would be called "Battle Formations" and "Follow".

Follow mode:

"Follow" mode would be the way it is currently. When in "Follow" mode, units would wander around and would follow their commander, exactly the same as it is currently.

Battle Formation mode:

When in "Battle Formation" mode, units would be halted, but would still attack enemies as if they were ready, but would not wander around and run after the commanding player. (It would almost be as if the units are in Gurad mode, but without running around aimlessly when touched.) Also, units in Battle Formation mode would only be able to teleport to the player when the "Summon Units" horn is blown.

Sword of command:

When in Battle Formation mode, units could be directed with the sword of command. Instead of having to click on an area with enemy mobs with the sword in order to move units, a player would be able to click anywhere (as long as there is a block in their crosshair) and the units would walk to it. If there are enemy mobs in the selected area, the units will attack them (as they currently do), but instead of instantly returning to the player, they will stay in the selected location. (If they are in Follow mode, they will go to the selected location, and then return to the player.)

I believe that this would make battles more fun, with commanders being able to send units out to fight, instead of having to lead them manually from the front line. Plus, it would give players the ability to command multiple units of troops (such as a unit of archers and a unit of melee) without them mixing together in to a single chaotic horde. This should also be possible to code, at least much more possible than organized formations.

Just to be clear, I say again; I am not suggesting organized formations. This would look like the units are halted, (in a random group) but they would still be able to attack. 