Area Patrol Actively Seek Out Enemies

I think there are a few different potentially useful commands being discussed here which should be split into two features.

The first is to spread your units out across an area, like what the current area patrol does. For searching, this behavior is ideal. However, for combat, you need ridiculously overwhelming force in order for such a thin spread of units to be an effective fighting force.

The second is to group your forces together and have the cohesive group patrol the area. When a group is told to area patrol, the entire group would move together to attack any enemy forces nearby. All the units will move to attack an enemy force together, rather than spreading out through the entire area and attacking it piecemeal. For combat purposes, this type of attack is generally preferable.

I think the best way to implement this is to have a separate command which groups the units together, and that the group entity can be given orders as if it were a single unit. An ungrouped collection of units given a patrol order would have each individual unit follow the patrol path. But a group of units given a patrol order will keep the group together and occupy one spot along the patrol path at a time. The same concept could apply to any other orders the group might be given.

For example, a "guard" command that could be directed at a friendly unit or a position on the ground. If an ungrouped collection of units is given the guard command, they spread out evenly around the unit or target position. Some of the units might roam further afield. Approaching enemies can cause some of the units to peel off and attack.

But if they are grouped together, they will stay together. A group of units told to guard a position will remain on or near that position in its entirety.

The same technique would be very useful for army organization. Such as grouping artillery units together, or anti-air, or front-line units into tight-knit squads that are selected together. The player would then be box-selecting several squads instead of a giant mixed ball of units. And this would make it much easier to make focused tactical moves, such as positioning your artillery in a certain location, or attacking with your assault units.

Some great ideas.

More command options are definitely an excellent addition.

The more variety and options we have, the better.