Few suggestions.
Group formations. There a few ways to do this. Simply changing the groups formations shape: wedge, narrow line, wide line, & box. There is also the units placement. So instead of healers in back and tanks up front, a box formation could have healers in the middle and the edges occupies by tanks. This would allow for better support positions, greater versatility of forces, and greater tactical variety.
Dreads should get XP for destroying structures. Certainly defensive structures more so than the others. Also it would be nice to still see the details of Dreads when they in a group. Often times I hear, Dread Damaged! Dread Dead!, and so I don't know exactly when retreat or whether the Dread is still viable for combat.
Air units cannot be put into a group composed of just air units. I find that a bit odd. This would allow for formations...
Substrate has no mobile radar like unit (PHC Hermes)? Seems a bit odd. Do they have a greater L.O.S.? I think it would be really kewl if the 2 had different radar types. PHC sticks with the Blob but with the degree of redness (see a doctor) being linked to army/structure numbers. The Substrate should show a shift in "gravitation" that appears as a black indentation moving around that gets darker and deeper based on the size of the individual units/structures. Both show enemies not in L.O.S. but focus on different traits so the player would need to read them differently. Air units would obey the same rules so speed and path will alert players to whether or not they are air or ground.
Adding an Engineer to a group breaks the group. Weird. Let them be added. What's the worst thing that could happen. They get fried. Fried engineers just happen.
Node (HQ) improvements. I think it would be awesome to spend resources on improving the Node. Offensive weapons, defense traits (armor & shielding types), integrated radar, larger L.O.S. Bubble, etc. And to have these add-ons make a visible change to the Node.
Add engineer improvements. Like faster or more efficient build, cloak that renders them invisible but can't do anything, ability to reclaim units/structures. Flying engineers, etc.
"Unique" starting engineer (named Bill). I know this is Super Duper Supreme Commandery-ish-like. I do think it would fit since "people" in Ashes are "quantum-ized" so to instantiate themselves or a part of them self, that is an "engineer" and can be upgraded would be sick. If it dies it would cost a lot (super lot) to replace, and certain or all orbital attacks/abilities are on a hefty cool down. Of course it can defend itself and be upgraded like dreadnoughts.
Change in Dreadnoughts appearance when improved. I heard this may be done away with which would be a shame as I like to have a choice in further specializing my Naughty Noughts. I would also like to see more Noughts. When the Juggs come out, OH BABY!
More open spaces. Larger open battle fields that can be cratered, burnt, fried and diced. I can't remember what you call trees and stuff in games, assets? Well, making more that are destructible and blow to pieces would be sick. Even added them in areas blocking paths to nodes that have a lot of resources.
I would like to build another HQ or minor HQ. Something that can be placed on a node that has resources. Just one more. A single back up. Not as powerful but it does give a nice resource bonus and can build engineers.
