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My comment wasn't a direct reply to you. If anything, I agree with you here. My comment is in response to those who would rather obfuscate what their mods are doing while claiming "freedom" and twisting the meaning of open-source software as justification.

We gave them bonuses in Historical via aura. My understanding is currently formations don't quite work, you cant attack in formation. So the only way to apply bonuses is through auras. Hopefully it is something that will get looked at and implemented in the future. Its a great idea!

An interestic point of 0 A.D is the battle formation of most of the faction in the game: Phalanx for Greeks, Testudo for Romans, etc. But, does not exist are battle formation bonuses, wich is a drawback because it´s necesary. Melee units die very quickly againts ranged units, witch make very hard to invade enemy city and forces the player to use specific units like cavalry, rendering melee units useless. The necesary solution is implement battle formation bonuses for each faction in the game, add defence bonus againts melee attack to Phalanx and testudo formation, and add defence bonus againts ranged attack with a shield wall formation. Here an example of Celt shield wall formation:

That´s what I thought!

Right, I'd really like to see "column" movement implemented. Basically, battalions would form one by one into the column and they'd all "snake" together to the destination. Or else, if it's a short distance, they'd stay together side by side in a battle line.

I´ve always liked Battle for Middle Earth style! But that game had a problem, when you choose several squads they move mixed.

btw -- I am pro-formation, but there are a lot of hurdles. Not just technical hurdles, but in their function and use and how they interact with non-formed enemy units. Ideally, the units in your formation should spread their attacks out along multiple targets within range. And then also do the same when facing another formation in combat. We'd have to eliminate, as much as possible, the focus-fire effect. Truly, if I had my way, we'd have all soldiers in constant battalions, Battle for Middle Earth style ("squad-based combat" would be the industry term).

This is a great start. I wonder if it wouldn't benefit from its own new texture. I think we could save some triangles by getting rid of the 2 staircases we won't commonly see. I think the original building abutted walls and other buildings on those 2 sides anyway. So, copy the double staircase on the front over to the left side we see here, then get rid of the 2 staircases on the far side. I might be able to help with textures for the staircases. The game does have this: Which would be verrrrry useful for the Wonder. Here it is on the Tachara:

You'll notice a strong trend here on this forum and also out in the real world, indeed, across humanity: When some people speak of "freedom" they very often mean their own freedom to screw over other people. The fight against this tendency is what builds and maintains civilization (and a healthy online community in 0 A.D.).

There is still at least 2 different bug with formations that I haven't been able to have clear way to reproduce yet too. 1. is units acquiring random targets when pressing Halt in formation, ex: a building even if clearly there are units nearby, or attack units far away. (happens when there are a lot of entity around so i guess it's because of some optimization stuff) 2. units sometimes freeze/dance salsa endlessly in formation. Else wise, formation are already very very useful without bonus already, for unit placement, and to fight efficiently. I know some will consider bug too but it's actually nice that units can cluster up while in formation.

@real_tabasco_sauce 1. "units don´t actually fight in the formation" wrong, if you put your troops in front the enemy´s units they will fight while maintaining formation. 2. The battle formation exist to be an advantage in battle, no one chooses battle formation for cosmetic but for win. 3. Bonuses are not rare in this game, for example range bonus: ir you build a tower in high ground, it´ll have more range. I don´t see how complicated the solution I´m proposing is.

units don't actually fight in the formation, and selecting a formation over another just for the bonus and not for the formation of the units is gimmicky. I think formations are fine to remain as-is for organizing troops and for cosmetic reasons. There are more straightforward ways to address the issues you raised, like some speed balance and diverging the different roles of units.

Hey @oddchild, the maintainer and creator of Delenda Est mod mentioned that he plans to release the next version in conjunction with the next 0 A.D. release 28. There will be a lot of changes so we'd need to be patient until then.

Actually, that is at least something. And I found something else: http://trac.wildfiregames.com/changeset/18421 "Training units in batches is now allowed". That is another preset for a battalion system. If now someone tries to include a squad system this might work out.

Battalions could work if the citizien-soldier concept is gone. Individual units for economic roles, and battalions for war. But CS concept is a core idea of 0 a.d... (I don't like at all)