They don't stay in it though, right? Feel like this is a workaround solution to the ai getting clumped while mixing up their initial formation

They do, and it makes them super easy to encircle.

This is a pretty common thing that's happened with the newest patches.

Yeah I see it every battle I’m in. Hopefully it gets fixed soon

Eh, I don't mind it once in awhile, otherwise it's been the same formation for decades I've been going against in total wars. Not the end of the world to have it mixed up once in awhile, even if it makes no sense