[Request] CM Partners: Formations

[jkjkjkjk]

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to manage your companions through formations as opposed to a group of partner's who try to stand in the same little spot behind you?

 

Going into combat with a group of 5 or so companions can also get unruly: they're like a group of kids chasing the soccer ball.

 

A mod that allows the player to specify formations for groups of companions and organize them in battle as well as just travel in general, would be incredible.

 

**Formations**

Ideally, you could tell your spell casters and archers to remain in a line formation, so that they are at your sides at all times -- literally. Even in battle, they shouldn't break rank. If they are out of range from hitting their target, the player will (should) notice and move up a little, and if the enemy flees, they shouldn't just chase them i nto the woods The player can guide them in pursuit if that is desired. Inversely, if the player is running from battle, they should remain in formation, attacking in their retreat if they want, not staying behind.

 

Setting different formations for different companions (back, front, either side, circle, wedge, etc.) should result in the companions compensating for every player movement. If the player steps forward by two paces, the companions should each adjust. If the player turns their body to the right, the companions should adjust (perhaps that's where the attack is coming from).

 

In addition to this, being able to assign one or two companions as a forward group (for melee style fighters maybe) opens additional possibilities.

 

**Command system**

May require implementing a 'command button' to allow typically unactivatable areas to be activated for the purposes of commanding group memebers to perform some event on them.

 

*Move to that area*

If the player could "activate" a position on land some distance away while holding some control button, the player could be able to send a group implementing a "move to that area" command. This would be useful in preparing an ambush or to coordinate a flanking manuever while the player and his group attack from a different position. Moving to an area should result in the companions engaging enemies within range.

 

*Stack up*

A 'forward group' of one or two companions could be specified. Activating a door through using this hypothetical command button should allow this forward group to prepare to enter the door. Similar in fashion to how other tactical entry methods are performed, they may line up on either side of the door, and select the appropriate weapons and armor for entry, picking the door if applicable. Once they have prepared, an additional command to enter and engage enemies may be given. The use of forward groups allows the player to maintain a party of long range types for support while the forward group engages based on the players commands to 'move to that area.

 

 

Other Ideas that should be self explanatory:

"Hold position" / "Hold ground" command = (don't 'move to that area' and chase enemies forever). An arbitrary radius to be defined.

 

Voice-acted / shouted commands.

 

Interface to manage groups -- if groups could be displayed on the map, and even moved to locations via the map by setting waypoints, coordination would be simplified and awesomified.

 

Though CM does implement "commands" like loot corpses, loot chests (i think?), managing your party without going through a bunch of conversation menus is kind of a pain. Thank you for reading this, I have other ideas, but would rather see if there is interest in this before proceeding. Plus I'm hoping this gets excitement from a talented modder who can implement and surpass what is described here.

[jkjkjkjk]

Ok so I saw that there's a mod that lets you 'control' click things like chests to open them.

 

However, nothing to put your companions into formations. I just recruited 3 and they're all bunched up behind me in the same little spot. Doesn't that get on anyone else's nerves?