[Suggestion] synchronized ETA's -- Masterplan mode

Good evening everyone (at least here in Germany )!

I like the idea to give several unots (or groups) some orders and they start with their operation so that every unit's (or group) arrive at the same ETA.

For example:

Let's just assume you go into the masterplan mode. Every order now isn't instantly executed, but saved for the unit's.

Now we have units A, B
and planets X, Y and Z.

A is on X
B is on Y

Both shall attack Z. I give them the order. After executing the masterplan mode I execute it.

A->Z (5 min ETA)
B->Z (3 min ETA)

First starts A and two minutes later starts B. Both arrive at the same time at Z to attack together.

That's it. What do you think?

...

I read this idea several days ago, but I could find the relating topic (neither search helped me). If the person with the original idea see's that: contact me to get full credit

Supreme Commander had the same feature but it was so obscure that no one used it in practice. +1 if it could be made more visible/useful.

Really? :shock:

Now I feel dumb for not seeing it :cry:

What?! It does?! I'm reinstalling SC and SC:FA atm and i'm going to try and find this and use it

+1 for adding this to PA, very good way of attacking a base from 2 fronts at the same time

I guess you're thinking of this post. My suggestion is a little more comprehensive than just synchronised ETAs, but that's definitely one useful example.

The supcom synchronised attack mode wasn't used too much because it was a bit too simplistic - basically you could give a group of units an attack order and they'd all try to arrive at the same time. But you couldn't give them separate waypoints to follow to get there. They all moved directly toward the target with the faster units slowing down so they would arrive at the same time.

Although I really like your idea in the post above, it's not what I read first.
And the thing I wrote isn't just for attacking one target. For example:

unit A (from planet V) attacks planet Z
unit B (from planet W) attacks planet Y
unit C (from planet V) attacks planet X
asteroid D has to crash into planet U
unit E has to move to planet T

All of this orders are made in the "masterplan mode" and are executed later after... lets say pressing a button (in UI or on keyboard). So it's a light version of your idea. Units are already assigned to a special order and after you execute your order your masterplan queue is empty and ready to be used again.

I don't remember exactly how you use it but it would be like you assign a squad to attack something then you like shift+rightclick that attack order with your artillery then some air units and then the air units would pace themselves to arrive with the land ones and the artillery would only open fire just before the units arrived.

Queuing orders to be executed on the click of a release button, along with simultaneous arrival; those would be excellent RTS features.