Are you going to use an offset swarm mechanic?

I like

it would be nice if swarm took into account whether they are alone or have formed a line.

Also there probably should be a limit to how many attacks a single unit may perform thanks to swarm.

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The counter to swarm is area attacks.  Problem is they aren't that common.

Definitely, adjacent friends should counter-swarm.

And perhaps the "reduce swarm" (maybe "inmune to swarm" is too much) could be an ability for the path of the defender. 

Agreed. Counter swarm should be considered as well.

i like that idea. this would basically add more tactical depth to the swarming mechanic. to gain an advantage, you would have to basically flank the enemy line to get swarming bonuses vs. the exposed units at the sides and - if executed correctly, it would still allow you to make great use of the swarm bonus without making it too powerful overall.

I'm still of the opinion that Swarm should be a trait rather than a blanket rule. As it is, there's a lot of completely insane situations where it applies, and shouldn't really.

I wouldn't eliminate swarm, but would make basic swarm not so powerful and implement different levels of swarm and counter swarm for heroes an monsters (the support for the XML seems to be already there)

I like Swarm because it means that yeah, you can send a bunch of rookie spearmen along with your heroes, but they aren't always going to come back.  Which is as it should be.

It does make combat a bit more brutal but on the other hand if you can pull off your own swarm tactic, it's rewarding.

Something needs to be done, as you can "swarm" an opponent that has an ally on both sides of him.  I could have an ally on my left and an ally on my right, but have three enemies standing in front of us and they can all swarm me.  I don't care for that, but it's a problem with this map grid of square/octagons instead of plain squares or hexes.  

The best counter to swarm is dodge and defense, because swarm adds accuracy and attack.

Also use shield bash to break the swarm line.

I think the mechanic is fine as is, it might just need to be fine-tuned a bit.

Also, a floating UI element showing that the unit is receiving a swarm bonus might be nice.

Blizzard/fireball spells. Pull Of The Earth. Dragon fire. Shockwave. Thunderstrike. Sweep.  

All of the above could punish swarming units for grouping together.

Doesn't the axe new ability let you attack an entire swarm?

/signed

Stardock, have you considered some sort of offset swarm mechanic for defenders next to those attacked, and even the opposite of Pack Tactics as a learnable skill for certain classes?

Right now I think swarm is fine as is.

There are a few ways to offset swarm.

Shield bash can break a swarm line.

An axe can deal a ton of damage to a swarm line.

Also simply,don't get swarmed, lol. Seriously form a battle line and advance like that. The guys on the flanks of the line are always going to be in the most dangerous position. Nature of the beast.