Efficiently commanding troops?

[Nimbostratus]

I want to start making better use of my troops, but I'm finding the troop commands really really awkward to use. Either I have to park myself behind a tree and try to do everything with the Backspace menu, or I try guessing at the command options on the numbers and F keys and end up making the worst possible moves by mistake (Infantry, hold! Archers, charge!).

Do you guys have any tips on getting used to these commands without getting horrendously slaughtered?

 

[Ivan Khan]

I want to start making better use of my troops, but I'm finding the troop commands really really awkward to use. Either I have to park myself behind a tree and try to do everything with the Backspace menu, or I try guessing at the command options on the numbers and F keys and end up making the worst possible moves by mistake (Infantry, hold! Archers, charge!).

Do you guys have any tips on getting used to these commands without getting horrendously slaughtered?

You can customize the commands to make it easier. it is one of the pages in the options menu. Other than that you can use pre-battle orders. It lets you tell them what to do before the battle starts.

 

[Kraven]

Given time you get used to the controls, I would not recommend changing the controls, cause if you get used to those and you start playing mods that add more tactical options, you will be unable to use those new options.
I changed my controls initially to make it easier to handle, but yeah had to get used to the vanilla controls when I shifted over to playing mods.

 

[Average]

Its also great to practice. If you play with Vexed Native, you can take on groups of hundred of bandits if you become powerful enough, so its insanely fun and good practice for troops. They dont formate, so it helps for you to quickly get your toops in formation, and ready for battle.
my tips are instantlly hit F1, hold position, or follow me.
Then, look for height advantage or Valley, or river, all advantages.
Get your men in position fast, Calvary on the lowest side, infantry in the front protecting the archers from charging calvary, and your archers on the highest position.

 

[JosieJ]

You can customize the commands to make it easier. it is one of the pages in the options menu. Other than that you can use pre-battle orders. It lets you tell them what to do before the battle starts.

I second the recommendation of Pre-Battle Orders & Deployment, which is included in the Diplomacy mod.    Neither mod changes the "feel" of the vanilla game, but both bring new options to make the game better.  In addition to being able to deploy before the battle starts, PBOD lets you give your troops orders before you even get on the field.  So, for example, I can order my Infantry to start out in shieldwall formation before I get on the field, and once I actually do get on the field, I can place them halfway up the slope of a hill in front of my archers for best effect.  You can also tell your troops what type of weapons to use, and even make them couch polearms to take down charging cavalry.  It's very handy!

 

[Average]

In Native it already had the option to tell them what weapon to use....just not the couching one.

 

[JosieJ]

I didn't remember if it was possible in Native to tell troops to use (not just couch) polearms or not.  I also don't remember whether or not it was possible in Native to tell troops to use formations like ranks, shieldwall, etc.

 

[Average]

I didn't remember if it was possible in Native to tell troops to use (not just couch) polearms or not.  I also don't remember whether or not it was possible in Native to tell troops to use formations like ranks, shieldwall, etc.

Sadly, ranks and pole arms are not. I really hope the BannerLord Devs took idea from the community and used them.

 

[Asulador]

In time you'll get used to it, try to study the structure of the commands as they are categorized quite simply.

I would recommend you change the command menu form BACKSPACE to LEFT ALT key, for convenience. (always disable sticky keys)

 

[Nimbostratus]

Okay, I'm starting to get used to the command controls now. Just had kind of a shock with how poorly I wound up doing with my early attempts.

I'm really curious about the mods you mentioned, though. I'm running 1.160, but the mod's page says its for 1.15x. Is it still compatible with the latest?

 

[Vraelomon]

I found something online once that alod you to add advanced formatin to your troops rather easily. It was some of tje most fun ive had playing vanilla, come to think of it. I enjoyed so much having archer lines that fire on my command. Really decimated the enemy troops. And it was fun to watch. In fact i seldom did any fighting at all. I just sat there and commanded my archers and laughed evilly to myself.

http://www.reddit.com/r/mindcrack/comments/1jh9ka/guide_for_vechs_enabling_advanced_formations_in/

I cant hyperlink that sorry.
Nevermind it seems to have hyperlinked just fine.
I also suggest you turn on the crouch feature. Its in the same module.ini file as the one mentioned on the above url. It allows the player to crouch by pressing 'c'. More handy was that holding troops would automatically crouch as well, on their own.
Ex.) The first line of archers will crouch and shoot, the second will stand and shoot.

 

[Oussamarer]

i have a  good solution fo you
there is simply a mod to download that makes you controll your units by your voice like if you say infantary hold to your mic your units will do it
forget where i found it tho 

 

[bakters]

Just a general comment on formations.  I tried them both in Warband and in With Fire and Sword, and my overall impression is that they simply do not work all that great.  Most of those formations will limit your damage output. 

There might be one or two actually worth using, but all those extra choices make it more difficult to use what really matters.  Which for me would be: Hold, Follow Me,  Cease Fire, Fire At Will, Stand Closer and of course Charge. 

Oh, I always use Mount at the start of the battle, so temporarily stuck troops won't dismount and whoever loses a horse during battle will try to find another one.

 

[JosieJ]

I've noticed that dehorsed cavalry will mount available horses without my having to tell them, which I don't remember being the case with older versions of Warband (or Diplomacy).  This goes for your cavalry and enemy cavalry, too!

 

[Vraelomon]

I've noticed that dehorsed cavalry will mount available horses without my having to tell them, which I don't remember being the case with older versions of Warband (or Diplomacy).  This goes for your cavalry and enemy cavalry, too!

Really? Ive never seen that happen. I usually play nords though so i usually have very little cavalry. Out of curiousity what version are you using?

 

[killer-blead]

Basically you have a lot of commands but you only need to memorize a few of them (depending on your play style)

Unit type
0. Everyone
1. Infantry
2. Archers
3. Cavalry


Orders
After pressing F1 (Movement orders)
F1 - Hold this position
F2 - Follow me
F3 - Charge
F4 - Stand ground
F5 - Retreat

After pressing F2 (Formation orders)
F1 - Advance ten paces
F2 - Fall back ten paces
F3 - Spread out
F4 - Move closer
F5 - Mount horses
F6 - Dismount

After pressing F3 (Fire orders)
F1 - Hold your fire
F2 - Fire at will
F3 - Only use blunt weapons
F4 - Use weapons at will (all)


So what you're basically using for infantry the most is:
Holding F1 and aiming with your reticle to command "hold that position"
F1 - F2 Follow me
F1 - F3 Charge
F2 - F3 Spread out
F2 - F4 Move closer

For archers it's probably along the lines of:
Holding F1 and aiming with your reticle to command "hold that position"
F1 - F2 Follow me
F2 - Spread out
F2 - Move closer

For cavalry:
Holding F1 and aiming with your reticle to command "hold that position"
F1 - F2 Follow me
F1 - F3 Charge!
F2 - F3 Spread out
F2 - F4 move closer

 

[Heroes_Witch_King]

Well done Blead, I'm sure this will be useful to some players.

 

[JosieJ]

I've noticed that dehorsed cavalry will mount available horses without my having to tell them, which I don't remember being the case with older versions of Warband (or Diplomacy).  This goes for your cavalry and enemy cavalry, too!

Really? Ive never seen that happen. I usually play nords though so i usually have very little cavalry. Out of curiousity what version are you using?

Sorry, I've been offline for awhile.  I'm using version 1.158.

 

[Vraelomon]

Ah. Im not sure what ive got. 1.53 maybe. That would explain though. Thanks for that.

 

[Asulador]

Do you have any reason for not updating though?