Even if you were to take away the technical issues relating to the stack (slow loading of targets for the attacking group, sb.exe's etc.) the stack would still be prevalent simply because it is the simplest way to organize a large group of individuals from a variety of guilds. Everyone by now knows their roles in using a stack and every character's LOS and attack range in the stack is exactly the same. Therefore there is less time wasted moving around which means more time spent nuking. Also groups (obviously) stay together in a stack so group heals are garunteed maximum effectiveness. Thus, the amount of discipline necessary to maintain an effective stack is far less than that required to effectively attack a stack.

That is not to say that a stack cannot be defeated. It is just that in order to effectively execute a complicated battle scheme with a group of 50+ individuals made up of different guilds who are not accustomed to working together requires an extraordinary amount of leadership/luck that has not been seen in this game to date.

Not to mention that coordinated targeting when in a stack is extremely easy. The attacking group rarely comes into nuke range simultaneously because no one on the attacking side wants to be the first person in nuke range since we all know that means instant death. Thus as the enemy slowly comes piecemeal into range, it is just a matter of picking them off one by one.

• "The Stack Must Go" Thread on the ubi.com forums:
  http://ubbforums.ubi.com/showflat.php?Cat=19&Board=SB_mourn_gd&Number=732864&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=all

  • "...the simplest yet most horrific example of broken game mechanics Ive seen playing both DAoC and SB.
    
    The Stack is counter-intuitively the current optimal strategy for defense and most likely offense as well. This is the result of the lack of good AE spells that would rip it to shreds (as they would in DAoC). AE spells need to be changed or new ones need to be added.
    
    The Stack, especially in laggy, chaotic battles with a large force of nuker/healer characters is a fantastic strategy. Piling all your forces into one spot should guarrantee that you lose the battle, not win it."
  
  
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  • A stack is a tough nut to crack. It is a damn good defensive formation. It is useless on the offense though. Its REAL power is when someone gets in range, they lag like hell trying to load that many people all at once. ... The AoE limit is another plus but not as much as you might think. Get enough AoE'r and you will rip a stack to shreds eventually. Another thing to try is see if a stack can be approached where you can pause and "load" the characters in a stack before they can target you (from behind a line of buildings, etc.).
    
    Stacks are tough, but they are not near invulnerable.
    
    You can't really use a stack on the offense (it is a stationary formation) except maybe to hold a rally point. You can't really hold such a tight position while moving.
  
  
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  • "...probably the most advanced tactic in game would be a offensive stack, example... 20+ person stack is ordered to become offensive; they move forward [formation off] 50 feet, stop, restack, and continue."
    (Gib, who supplied this recording of the stack in action (download at your own risk!): http://home.attbi.com/~mcrispy11/lex.zip)
  
  
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  • One poster makes the point that, given a recording of the enemy's stack, one might "go through it and make a note of who their group healers are, who gives commands, etc. then just have everyone do a /target 'xxxx' on those important individuals and take them out, then just take their nukers out one by one with mass /targeted nukes".
    
    "[A] stack's primary purpose is to take advantage of lack of enemy organization"
  
  
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  • Halethrain notes:

    "Assassins... Find the tank Silence, Shadowmantle, continuously bloodfire, tank runs out of stam, is silenced and can't tell next tank to take over, havoc ensues."

    
    -- Although either voice chat or IRC will get around that.
  
  
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• "The Stack" thread on Ubi.Com forums:
  http://ubbforums.ubi.com/showflat.php?Cat=19&Board=SB_mourn_pol&Number=742209&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=all