A simple improvement

[Loren]

My approach doesn't even need an ability to queue orders. It needs two data fields:

Units need a "new" flag that means they execute orders on the province. Provinces need a destination.

At the start of move order resolution you look at each unit. If the flag is set and there's a valid target (it won't move if the target isn't in friendly hands) you move the unit, otherwise you clear the flag.

[Loops]

Configuring auto-marching orders for troops sounds nice, but it isn't really thematically consistent with the rest of Dominions where commanders are required to really get troops to do anything.

What about another approach to issue - one more focused on the sorts of things we already see in the game. Suppose there were a new order for certain types of commanders ("Gather Minions") that would act like a spell that teleports all existing uncommanded troops from adjacent provinces to him. This would dramatically reduce the scale of the management issue without requiring anything really new. You could even get fancy and limit the effect to his leadership ability.

There are already commander abilities that generate troops and spells that can target uncommanded troops (not specifically maybe but hostile rituals can certainly hit them), so it wouldn't seem like there were any obvious hurdles. Although, I'm sure a lot of little complications would pop up, and this mechanic (or anything like it really) would be extremely powerful so it'd take some careful thought.

[TruePurple]

Very clever idea loops. Wouldn't help with the headache of moving mages around hunting for areas they havent searched yet (or casting around) But very good.

Maybe if possible the troops could take a month to arrive from an adjacent areas.

[Gandalf Parker]

I like that idea also. In fact, if it was too much overhead to gather from neighbors, I wouldnt even mind if it worked for just the province he was in. Seems thematic to me and would definetly cut MM.

[TruePurple]

MM?

[Ballbarian]

micro management

[Gandalf Parker]

Sorry, MicroManagement.
The tiresome endless do-the-same-thing kind of things that make a game drag toward the end.

Its a continual subject. On one hand people argue that they are the pretender-God and wouldnt micro-manage their empire down to petty things like assigning troops to each commander. Then they argue that they feel they should be able to direct every action in combat.

obviously its going to end up being someplace in the middle

[PhilD]

Loops said:
Configuring auto-marching orders for troops sounds nice, but it isn't really thematically consistent with the rest of Dominions where commanders are required to really get troops to do anything.

Hey Loops - are you the same guy who has 32 victories and no defeats on Land of Legends? Have to say, I hate you man - there's no way I can ever get a better rating than that (even not taking into account the fact that there's someone online in this game about once in a blue moon)...

[Loops]

lol, hi PhilD, yes this is the same Loops. Sorry, I got kinda burnt out on LoL and decided to quit while I was ahead. My record isn't nearly as impressive as all the wins that others have piled up in the meanwhile anyway - I just started with a lucky streak.