Formations

What “formation” is:

A group-wide tactic your group leader sets that can grant skill bonuses to certain actions for everyone in the group. How to use it: formation → shows your current formation and lists the formations you’re allowed to use. formation <name> → sets your preferred formation. When formations actually apply:

Formations only function in a real group (3+ characters). In smaller groups, the effective formation is NONE.
If you are not the group leader, you automatically use your leader’s formation.
If you’re leading a proper group, changing formation switches the whole group.

What formations do (the actual bonuses):

NONE:

No Bonuses

HORDE:

Offensive melee pressure.

Bonus applies only to offensive checks using Melee / Unarmed (and some offensive Mechanisms checks).
You must be at melee range with the group leader for it to apply

PHALANX:

Defensive frontline.

Bonus applies only to defensive checks using Parry / Shields.
You must be at melee range with the group leader for it to apply.

SCATTER:

Defensive mobility.

Bonus applies only to defensive Evasion checks.
No melee-range requirement.

INFILTRATION:

Sneaking and subtle movement.

Bonus applies only to defensive Stealth checks.

MAGEBANE:

Anti-magic posture.

Bonus applies only to defensive Gnosis checks.

Unlocking formations:

Everyone can use: none, horde
Others require specific mercenary training tags:
- magebane (Berserker)
- infiltration (Dirty Tricks)
- scatter (Finesse)
- phalanx (Grit)

How the Tactics scaling works (important):

Formation bonuses are based on Tactics, mainly the leader’s Tactics, but your own Tactics matters too.
The bonus is roughly a percentage of the base difficulty/value of the check.
The maximum percent bonus is effectively capped around 50%, and you can’t benefit beyond what your own Tactics can support.
If the leader’s Tactics isn’t high enough compared to the check’s base value, you may get no bonus.

Tactics training:

Whenever formation bonuses are being used, your Tactics trains.
If you are not the leader, the leader’s Tactics also trains from your actions.

Range/positioning tip:

If you’re trying to benefit from Horde or Phalanx, stay up close with the leader (melee range). If you’re spread out, pick Scatter instead.