I have seen several threads discussing improvements on the tactical battle system withing Elemental. I have read very little of those threads so some duplication may follow.
1. Pre-battle placement: Each stack should have an optional pre-battle placement window that Elemental saves between turns and is accessible any time that a battle is not being fought. Perhaps something like the Dominions 3 battle placement (with better graphics, of course
) If I outfit my sovereign like a tank I should be able to put him out front. If I have some damaged soldiers I should be able to put them in the back before the battle.
2. Optional larger battle fields. (Optional because this will cause longer battles.) With fast units it would be nice to be able to flank units, etc.
3. Optional "We-Go" or simultaneous turn base combat: Both players enter orders for their units, then one turn's worth of time is simultaneously carried out by the computer. This would negate several unrealistic strategies that turn based play introduces. I envision this as being similar to the combat system used by 'Combat Mission Barbarossa to Berlin' or 'Combat Mission Afrika Korps'. I think this should be optional because there are players who love sequential turn based battles.
I look forward to the continuing improvements in Elemental.