Whose Division is This?

[MikeK]

Division and Corps idenfication on the unit card is good, but there appears to be room to add the division commander's name as well. It is flavor, but also practically helpful as it is easier to read and something to which players can relate more readily than just the 1st of the 3rd or the 3rd of the 1st and the 1st of the 1st when assembling or re-assembling brigades into their divisions. 

[David Fair]

It would be better to include division commanders in the game by attaching them to the division.  Every division's commander should be "Leading" or "Rallying" which would place the division commander either at the most forward brigade or the rear most brigade respectively.  This would add a command and control bonus to help stiffen the lead brigade or improve the speed to rally shattered units.

 

Once a player selects the role his division commanders will play they should automatically move to the most forward brigade if "Leading" or to the brigade most in need of recovering "Condition" or "Morale" if "Rallying".

 

Division commanders should always be attached to their division and should never be allowed to be moved independently of the division or wander like Corps Commanders.  Division commanders had direct line responsibilities with the brigade formations.  They should be both included in the game, playing a significant role, without increasing the micromanagement burden on players.

 

For example a Corps Commander should have a macro command to instruct his division commanders to "Lead" or "Rally" the units under the Corps Commander's responsibilities.  That way if Union XI Corps is routed the Corps Commander can quickly and immediately ensure his division commanders are helping to rally the shattered corps.

 

When you click on any brigade all of the brigades in that division are highlighted.  This will tend to assist players keeping divisions fighting together with the traditional 2 brigades on the front line - with the 3rd brigade in reserve.

 

Every brigade you click on allows you to change the division commander status between "Lead" or "Rally".

 

The decision not to include division commanders seems odd to me.  The design team has gone to the trouble of identifying battery commander portraits - yet the game skips over many of the most recognizable names and faces from the battle - the division commanders.

 

Finally, the game would be more manageable and understandable as the benefits for divisions fighting together was a key component in the training, confidence, and morale of the ACW armies.

[MikeK]

Well, yes, I'd like that too.

[Harnis]

I think that's a good idea. Add to that a "mood" selector for the division commanders. You could set them to "attacking", " defending", etc. And it would determine their overall behavior, such as when a unit falls back, whether they try to advance back to their old position or whether they stay back