I've been reading the new second-edition rulebook…
One of the design elements which I believe is new in the second edition is the use of Disorder Points (full name: Death, Disorder and Desertion Points). The designer credits the inspiration for this from an AWI ruleset, but the idea goes back at least to the 70s and "friction points" in SPI modern warfare rules, I believe.
The basic idea is that lots of things in the game can give a unit Disorder Points – being shot at, moving too fast, moving through difficult terrain, combat, missing leaders, surprise, etc. A unit can collect up to four DPs, and the last DP cannot come from movement.
Units lose DPs by re-ordering themselves (more effective for better quality troops) or by being rallied by a leader.
If a unit receives a fifth DP, it becomes Shaken. Once a unit is Shaken, any DPs received for non-movement causes results in the loss of an element.
Shaken units can self-rally or rally with help of a leader, and if successful, become unShaken with 3 DPs.
What the designer seems to be encouraging by this system is:
1. motive for leaders to "dress" their troops (i.e., take time to reduce DPs) after movement but before entering combat.
2. motive to withdraw a unit from battle before it becomes Shaken, so that DPs can be reduced.
To eliminate bookkeeping, the designer suggests placing small rocks behind a unit to indicate DPs, and illustrates this approach in the rulebook.
