Group Formations
From CLUMP
Formations can save a group if executed well. They also allow you to organize your forces for different tasks efficiently. However, because of the chaotic nature of Clan Lord, formations are rarely used. If, however, every group member knows these formations, groups can quickly organize to take on special and surprise situations.
I've already covered two basic formations, one is called "Guard" and the other is "Wall." They're pretty self explanatory, but I need to give them their proper space.
By the Way, ALL formations require exiles to stand at least one full body length away from the next closest exile. This is because you never know what direction you might have to move in, and standing too close causes people to bump into each other. Also all mobile formations use rotating fighters working in precision, to deliver co-ordinated blows at about the same time, confusing the beast into immobility. Mobile attacks take a high degree of control and skill to execute cleanly without bumping into each other.
Note: "D" is for Defensive and "O" is for Offensive Formation.
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Guard
(D) Guard is when you spread as many healthy fighters out in a circle equidistant from each other, with at least one exile length apart from the next guard and the nearest person who you're protecting. It's very effective and was my first formation I taught my apprentices.
It's best used when you're healing up not for actual situations where your party is being overwhelmed. If you're being overwhelmed it's best to retreat to safer more defensible ground. If unable to retreat close ranks and get you weaker party members inside this protective circle. If you have a good healer rod point, he or she can substitute as one of the outfacing fighters. However, as soon as possible clear the greatest threat to give your party breathing room.
Note: In the Diagram below the strongest threats, the larger X's, are being faced by the green or nearly white fighters, while the smallest are being covered by the yellow fighter. The Red Fighter is in the middle with the sole healer in this case.
Wall
(D) It's simple and straight forward — really it's a straight line of fighters facing forward into an onslaught of foul beasts almost one exile length apart. The healers are backpacking and cadding away safely behind them. There might be a few hit and run type dancers stepping into these gaps to assist taking down tougher beasts, and there also responsible for deal with any approaches from the left or right flank or behind. If the beast are charging from the east, the wall is north-south. his formation should it get mobbed on all sides can anchor on terrain or curl up into the guard position with one call.
The Vanguard
(D/O) Also known as the Vanguard, the Wedge is a "V" formation with the closed end facing the beasts. The lead fighter takes the closest beast head on, and the others take any others trying to slip by, or other approaching beasts from the right or left flank. This formation can mobilize into the Bowl or The Trap? if there are no beasts flanking the group.
Note: Fighters run off kilter from each other because when they have to stop, they don't have to change their vector to get into a position where they can hit something.
Bowl
(D/O) Fighters stand in a wide formation "U" with the open end facing the beasts. In defensive mode, it's meant to catch anything that tries to slip by a group while the wounded and healing are in back. In offensive, mobile mode, The Bell can be advanced slowly with the edges of the V taking the brunt of the attack. This formation can change into the Vanguard or the Venus Flytrap?. This formation is also known as "The Bell."
The Slingshot
(O) Here a group of fighters running off kilter approach one or more beasts, the lead fighter runs past the first beast, just close enough for it to swing at him(Feint), and spins around to its back side while the second fighter hits the freshly swung beast. A third fighter goes straight in after the second, while the second swings around to the back of the beast, making it turn around for the third fighter to land a devastating back stab. The first fighter meanwhile continues on to the next closest target to repeat the feint maneuver. The second, third, forth, fifth, etc. fighting are the sling bullets. If there are no more beasts to attack, the first fighter swings around behind the other fighters to take his place in line to become a bullet.
Trap
(O) here a semi circle of fighters waits for a runner to run between the center of two anchors (the goalposts) at the middle. The second before the beast makes contact with the two goal posts, the rest of the semi circle collapses into a surround and pound mob. The healers are safely back forming the stem of the venus fly trap and heal those in need, including the runner. If there are more fighters than there is space to fight the fighters take turns and rotate clock wise around the beast. The runner, if he or she was a fighter loops back around the collapsing arc to attack from the back or side.
