[All] Formations - Winning the Engagement before it is fought

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[cloud234]

Edit: Will write more on different types of formation that I use.

It is important to move troops around in pre-determined formations because it serves as a contingency and effective counter option against all enemies.

Shown here is the most basic of formations I first started out with, playing in EiRR. As I got better I adjusted the troops accordingly. It has won me a lot of battles. I refer to this as a "Y" Formation of sorts from time to time.

Infantry                                     Infantry

                    Machine Gun


                    Anti Tank Gun

1. Infantry are placed on the left and right on the front
   a. To serve as scouts/recon for the unit.
   b. To easily provide fire and protect the flanks from the left and right.
   c. To conceal the Machine Gun & ATG behind.

2. MG and ATG are placed behind, overlapping and covering infantry forward. ATG having the longest range and being most vulnerable to all troops should be placed at the back.

Troop Types

INFANTRY - Can consist of volks, rifles, tommies anything. Preferably with a soft "anti-tank counter" to supplement AT as atg is quite weak on its own. Should have fausts, stickies, 1 schreck or whatever deemed possible.

Arming with MP40s, BARs etc, customise according to what you need.

MACHINE GUN - This should have a suppressive element, Grenadiers with LMG42 does not count. Too expensive in munitions, not cost effective, not re-crewable.

When to use this formation.

1. When stationary on defence.
2. When advancing cautiously
3. In open ground or terrain with little obstructions (i.e. Rural maps)

Contingencies (In order of Micro/Clicking/Actions)

Against Infantry

1. SWING MG AROUND FIRST. Reposition MG on the spot.

When flanked from the left/right

2. Swing infantry closest to enemy, move in to intercept/flank.
3. Bring infantry on opposite side to "camp" beside MG.

When hit from the rear by infantry

2. Bring both infantry down asap to defend
3. Move ATG up to hide, or use ATG to push/block charging infantry if MG cannot turn fast enough.

Engaging Enemy

Fortified Position (Sandbag/Building/Heavy Cover)

1. Attempt to flank with infantry on left and/or right.
2. Use MG to prevent enemy from moving out of cover/attacking your ATG.
3. ATG fire at the position to destroy cover/building.

Ideally, use a mortar to blow them out, ATG to sight the position, MG to cover. This requires you to switch your formation a little to.

                  ATG (Sighting)
              Machine Gun
Infantry                          Infantry (Guard against rear flanks to MG/ATG)

Concluding Remarks
This is a general idea and it is the most basic of formations, without providing much advantage, but should serve as a simple basis for understanding troop movements/formation adoption.

It uses only 18 popcap (depending on configuration) and I sometimes add a sniper (7popcap) to take out buildings. You can add a mortar and bike/jeep as well for the same popcap.

Vary according to requirements.

[cloud234]

Advancing in a Wedge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wedge-Formation-advantage.JPG

               Tank/Infantry/Shock troop


Infantry                                               Infantry


Any combination of units can advance in a wedge.

1. Use formation when advancing aggressively, expecting to meet enemy MGs
2. Formation provide wide view, allowing you to survey the battlefield from left to right.
3. Can be used as "Cannon Fodder" or Infantry Screen on the front 3, shielding the real damage dealer concealed behind (i.e. Tank? MG?)

I generally use this on the advance, rarely to defend against anything.

[nugnugx]

bring spam  - flank - winning

[Demon767]

No need for formations, attack, flank win.

adapt, take our support, attack, win

[spinn72]

A very viable basic tactic that often gets thrown out the window too many times. Good work cloud, hopefully we'll see more players adopting this!

[tank130]

Excellent guide Cloud.

Simple explanation, easy to remember, very effective

[deadbolt]

blob & win

blob & win

fixed*


also personally i use at guns infront of mg's, lures axis inf to attack your at gun cos that's usually their priority target, soon as they close ur at gun down mg behind is like pewpewpepw, also people like to vet feed from stray rifles, more chance of covering them with at gun and scaring tanks/vehichles off.

Inf                               Inf
                AT
                MG




 

[Groundfire]

Sometimes what I like to do is do an spearhead, but off the edge of the map or a side of the map that's been neglected in order to eliminate a flank that I know wont get harrassed, allowing me to concentrate forces on the spearhead or 1 flank and not 2.

Something like this:

Map edge/enemy neglected flank
|
|
|     AI Inf
|                      |               
|                      |
|                      |      Inf
|                      |
|                    MG__________
|
|     ATG
|


It doesnt have to be off a map edge but on the edge of the enemy offensive line where they cannot extend themselves past that line.
Works good for force multiplying because you reduce the areas they can attack you from. Mostly this leads into a flank to roll up their line.