Shattered Kingdoms

With a reaching weapon I agree, and I think that's how it is. However with spells, scrolls, circle stab, hamstring, wands, etc, I don't agree. You shouldn't be able to recite petrification scrolls at "front" sargas without ever even looking at his group to see what's in front of him. How difficult is "north, recite front sargas, recite front sargas, order all bash sargas"? Not very. It seems silly to me. If you want to address circle stab issues, do that. Honestly you should be able to target any rank with circle stab if you're going to allow it to hit behind someone in the first place. The rogue is running from his own group around formations and stabbing someone, then retreating. What's the difference if he's running to the opposing formation's first, second, or third rank?

This doesn't take an extreme situation into account, like when there is nothing in front of Sargas. Do you shoot blanks with your scrolls for two rounds and lag yourself up? Not to mention that Sargas (or any opponent) will likely be doing things to kill you at the same time.

Besides, I see no reason why what you described cannot be a legitimate strategy. Do you have to like it? No. But just because you don't like something doesn't make it wrong.

I suppose I am against a targeting command that allows you to target someone and hit someone else. If anything I think you need to enhance the glance command to include groups and differentiate between like NPCs. Glance Sargas. Sargas is behind 2.wraith, 4.wraith, and next to 7.wraith. Figuring out who's where is a PvP skill people should have to learn. If you want to make it easier that's fine, but don't do it in the manner of putting in a bypass for actually forcing them to make their character look at the group and figure it out. Adding in a behind or front targeting command also takes away from combat where formations change, such as with tumbling, rescue, or ejecting.

Just to be clear, I think a behind (and a front, if it's really applicable) should only happen for commands that are already limited by formation. Reciting scrolls or casting spells is almost never affected by formation (I actually can't think of ANY right now, but someone will probably correct me).

If this happens, bards will become a good 2nd row char for tactical purposes

How difficult is "north, recite front sargas, recite front sargas, order all bash sargas"? Not very. It seems silly to me.