Changing Orders

Can I cancel a movement order before it has been completed?

The_Dude wrote: Can I cancel a movement order before it has been completed?   EX: Tell an Army to return home before it attacks.  Or tell a caravan to return home before it arrives at its destination.

'Fraid not (nor is it likely it happen, as it affects gameplay too much)

We will, however, be introducing a method of giving new orders to units located abroad that are stationary (such as caravans whilst they are gathering resources, or armies whilst they are occupying a square).

The_Dude wrote: On a similar thread - can I intercept passing caravans or armies?  Or can I only engage them at their destinations?

Not directly, at the moment, but you will be able to do things to them when the combat magic schools come into play.

Regards,

GM Stormcrow

bow locks wrote: hmmmm, so we cant contact moving units but can contact stationary ones?  surely either type is as easy to contact, but a unit in movement can change direction much easier than an encampment set up for a few days can suddenly scarper. cos one of the few risks at the moment is the military encampment, or the stationary caravan.  you know when you give that order that that camp will be exposed for that time.  its the only real risk in game tbh. Interception has to be a major future element of tactics and strategy:  withdraw automatic notifications, set up scout fronts, detect hostile units, set up ambushes.  allow feints, indirect movement, route planning, ............ Bow

I think we have the same agenda, bow - but that (with respect!) you haven't thought it through :)

Moving from A to B but allowing someone to change orders halfway and go to C instead does not encourage ambushes or interception - it achieves the exact opposite.

Allowing people to change orders half-way and go elsewhere instead simply means that no one would ever be ambushed or intercepted, ever, because no one would ever carry out the order they originally gave to their army; instead choosing to countermand it halfway along the route.

By allowing new orders to be issued to armies once they've reached a stationary point, you allow circuitous movements and unclear ultimate objectives by the moving army, but equally allow chances for ambushes and interceptions by a third party who divines the *current* orders of the army by scouting or scrying or metagaming, or whatever. 

Allowing new orders to be issued en route actually undermines this mechanic.

Think of "feints, indirect movement & route planning" simply as ambush and interception opportunities at the pause during an armies' movement from A to B, pausing, then moving to C, then pausing, then moving to D etc.


Edited by GM Stormcrow - 09 Apr 2010 at 23:29

Hi Thyran,

Yes, we are looking at allowing players to cancel send orders within a short period of time after units have been dispatched.  < 1 minute maybe; however we want to keep that distinct from the ability to recall "committed" unit orders as opposed to "accidental" unit orders.

Best wishes,

GM Stormcrow

I like the idea, but it could be used as a trick to put your items at safe if are being attacked