Why have an "army" stack?

[Heldenkaiser]

Up to now I am building corps, and then I have an army commander sitting all alone in the rear, with some staff officers in reserve, and maybe some self-defense forces, if the corps in front do not form a continuous defensive line to protect the army staff.

However, I have frequently found others mention that they form an "army stack" of some sorts; I suppose that means build a corps around the army commander himself. May I ask what's the use (provided I am not short of corps commanders)?

And probably loosely related question--does an army commander ever get credit (i.e. gain seniority) for battles fought under his command? Or does he have to be in the battle himself? Is that why you have army stacks?

Thanks for any insight!

[soloswolf]

He does gain seniority from successful fights.

An Army stack has a much higher chance of 'marching to the guns' than a corps stack does. So, if you are marching forward, or waiting in defense having your Amry nearby can give you some extra men in your fights.

Typically you will keep most of your men in the corps, but it can be advantageous to put some directly under the commander.

[arsan]

I guess the design idea was that the units on the HQ stack acted like the Army reserve.

[Evren]

Up to now I am building corps, and then I have an army commander sitting all alone in the rear, with some staff officers in reserve, and maybe some self-defense forces, if the corps in front do not form a continuous defensive line to protect the army staff.

However, I have frequently found others mention that they form an "army stack" of some sorts; I suppose that means build a corps around the army commander himself. May I ask what's the use (provided I am not short of corps commanders)?

And probably loosely related question--does an army commander ever get credit (i.e. gain seniority) for battles fought under his command? Or does he have to be in the battle himself? Is that why you have army stacks?

Thanks for any insight!

First of all, as Soloswolf noted, army stacks has a higher chance of 'marching to the guns' than a corps stack does.

If you have a general like Lee or Grant, their stats still may be higher than their corps' commanders, even after giving them the bonus. And there are some abilities that doesn't pass from an army commander to the sub-commanders (like fast mover or charismatic), that you may find useful, so having a few divisions under the army commander can give you more advantages than keeping them under sub-commanders depending on the situation.

And no, they don't gain credit from the battles fought under their command (as far as i know), but they have to commit in order to gain some experience.

[Heldenkaiser]

Thanks a lot!

[Major Tom]

Not to promote my own thread...but here it is anyway http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?t=13103

In researching Zone of Control, I think I may have come up a major strategic use of the Army HQ stack. The HQ can follow one region behind the Corps stack and cary all of the supply wagons and support artillery. This way, the Corps has a much higher evasion rate and can much more easily retreat from combat if necessary. The HQ stack will hold the rear region as an escape path, and can march to the sound of the guns to lend artillery support to a battle. After the battle, the HQ goes back to its starting location, keeping the line of retreat clear. That way, there's no risk of your corps getting trapped by enemy ZOC.