[PvK]

Originally posted by Arryn:
PvK, effectiveness is not a valid reason for not fixing a command that fails to do what it is meant to do if you read that command in plain English. Attack rear almost never actually attacks the rear. That, alone, is reason enough to fix it. Else rename the damn command to reflect how it actually works.

Ok, so call it "Attack Flank".

The current method may be excusable, and it's a stretch at that, for ground troops, but it by no means is justified for flying troops. They should be able to go to the very rear no matter where you place them at the start of a battle. For flyers to get "distracted" is hogwash.

Is it? The AI is allowed to use it's assessment of whom specifically attack based on circumstances. I've been using fliers (holding and then) attacking rear extensively, and didn't have any complaints about their choices.

...
As for defending against a "more effective" rear attack, that's what "guard commander" is for. If someone needs more defense in special situations (assassinations), then they can make Rings of Warning. If their defenders aren't adequate, they need to summon/hire better guard troops. Nerfing features is never a good solution to anything.

No, guard commander is to guard a commander. A battle line is supposed to prevent outflanking, as well as engage the enemy line. It'd be silly to have an "Attack Rear" order that could get past the enemy main line any better than the current one can. If the current "Attack Rear" AI is made more effective at sneaking past enemy main line troops, then the main line troop AI should be better at not just engaging, but at intercepting these units.

In the current implementation Groups on the flanks with attack closest orders accomplish reasonable line security, and the behavior of Attack Rear (Attack Flank) helps this by not being too single-minded. The current system works just fine. If you really want to get someone through to the enemy rear, you can have as good a chance as you should be able to by using multiple Groups on attack rear and/or some on attack archers.

PvK