Im sure a lot of people would be happy to know that if it where true
And the moment you start to rely on it being the same, he'll change it. Surprise!
Hint: Always send the doctrine file to the host, even if you aren't changing it often. This way he never knows for sure.
Gazfun, you've had more experience with this than any of us. What kind of changes have you found useful?
Hook
Well its like this.
Its the like the paper, scissor and rock approach, to your formations, and depending what the background strategy is going to be for a battle you are playing IMO
For example if you are playing a one off battle you would probably select a more general order for reactions to your regiments to cover all contingencies.
Now in a tournament or Campaign you would have a better Idea what your opponent is going to do. I.E. To make your regiments to go after an inferior enemy, in a better formation for charging. This can be adjusted to be more aggresive to charge his Line formations more often when the opportunity is presented to the regiment. And because your oponent would be in a more defensive posture because if he didnt have the numbers on the battlefield, and perhaps you think he is wanting to withdraw from a superior enemy (you) this should reflect and will reflect in your doctrine.
If you study the formations types in the manuel, you will see that there is a better formation to be in when your opponent is in Line, for example, he may chose line because it has many advantages, but it also has disadvantages.
The formation that moves your regiments into position fastest is the one to use, before they are in combat range. if you got them moving around in Line you will find they will get tired easier, and they will be slow to respond, but its a good defensive position, but it has its weaknesses.
You can move then into other formations, that would give you a more universal.
Deep Formations are those mainly used in reserve, and the formation you want them in, depends on the number of troops you have, over the enemy
I can only give you a breif outline here but look at the differances each formation can do for you, and what disadvantages and advantages each has.
Myself I will probably make up abut 5 differant doctrine types, but even these will have to be tested to get the better result, and this is the most wonderfull things about this, its variety, it can be ever changing.
Its a dynamic system. IMO