Gaul [Archive] - The Org

Theodoret

10-17-2004, 14:29

I've only played this faction on quick campaign med/med, but I had some success fairly early.

Immediately on starting the campaign you will note that the Gallic lands are split in two, two provinces in Italy and the rest on the other side of the Alps. First priority is to join these two together.

I raised armies in Alesia and Lemonum and sent them south to deal with the rebellious provinces there. Make sure that the army that will be heading through Lugdunum to Massila has a character with it, as you will need to build some watchtowers once you have taken Massila. Keep churning out units from Alesia to reinforce your armies and free your attack force from garrision duty.

Whilst this is happening send a diplomat to forge an alliance with Germany, and trade rights with Britain (perfidious Albion will always stab you in the back in the end, so I don't bother negotiating an alliance). Also reinforce Condate Redonum so that you have a force ready to attack if/when the Brits declare war. I also reinforced Mediolanum and Patavium, as the Julii are bound to attack you sooner rather than later.

I ignore Spain, except to beef up the Numantia garrison (the Spaniards kept on trying to bribe the city in my campaign), and negotiate trade rights with Spain and Carthage.

Before long the Julii will attack. Your newly conquered southern provinces should be bringing in a bit of money by then. I used Patavium as my military base, and sent an army from there to attack first Segesta and then Arretium. I use Massila and Mediolanum to supply Patavium with fresh troops. You have to watch out for the Brutii as well, so I sent armies to take Illyria and Dalmatia from them, and this kept them off my back whilst I was taking apart the Julii.

As sure as night follows day, perfidious Albion will attack you as you are fighting the Julii. Use a combination of diplomats and your army in Condate Redonum to push them across the Channel. I then raised a fleet using Numantia and Condate Redonum and used this to ferry my army across to Londinium. Once you take this city, the fight seems to go out of them. I ferried a garrison over to Londinium and used my conquering army to attack first Eburacum and then Deva. I didn't bother with Ireland.

Back to Italy. By now SPQR will have taken an interest in you. I first attacked Ariminium to finish off the Julii, and sent diplomats to bribe away Scipii and Brutii reinforcements. Then comes the attack on Rome. This is really tough, because the Senate have a very powerful army stationed near the city. I sent a full stack from Ariminium to attack the SPQR army which had moved outside the city. I managed to batter their army, but took severe casualties, so I retired to Ariminium, retrained, and then attacked again. Oh, I also blockaded Rome with a fleet I had built in Massilia. Second attack was succesful, so I sacked Rome. At this point I had my 15 provinces, so that was the end of the short campaign. Had I carried on, I would have finished off Italy, and then probably attacked Spain.

A note about the Gallic armies. These troops are utterly rubbish. You won't have much trouble fighting other barbarians, although British chariots can be a bit nasty, but the Romans are a different matter. I use as much cavalry as I can, and use warbands and swordsmen to pin the Roman troops whilst these guys sweep around the flanks. I also make a lot of use of wardogs - they are great for chasing those annoying velites. Whatever you do, you will take more casualties than you might be used to playing a Greek or Roman army. This is why you should set up a unit conveyor belt from Transalpine Gaul via Mediolanum and Patavium to the front. Because you are fighting the Julii and then the Senate almost from the start, you won't have all that many good troops. I did use Druids in one battle, and they were impressive, but realistically you should expect to be fighting with warbands, swordsmen, barbarian cavalry and dogs. Having a Temple of Tertullus (sp?) and a blacksmith in your troop producing towns will help.

Empedocles

11-15-2004, 18:28

Ok, I'll edit this latter, this is my early version of the story.
Raise two armies and send them south to conquer those rebel provinces that separate your provinces!
Now that you have a continued empire, build forts at the fords of the Po River in north italy so you can keep romans at bay! They are soy difficult!! you should ally with all the roman factions so the Julli see you with better eyes (they will attack you in the future)
After you conquered the mid-france rebels and secured your south frontier, move north because the brits are going to attack you almost from the first time.
Move a diplomat east to ally with germany and try to make them attack the Brits.
Fighting the Brits it's not a big issue because their armies are made of warbands mainly. But you should build a navy in the english channel to keep them on their island.
After you have maintaned your income then you should hire some mercenaries (specially cavalry) and take the fight to their own lands.
They have a huge army near my northern city and started to siege it, but when I took London they retreated and know seems to have lost their path.

Get used to use Warbands, you will not have another unit for many years and they are good fighters if usen properly. Try yo upgrade their armour and weapons with blacksmith and shrines in Milan and Alesia

Diego, from argentina

PS: one tip: raise mercenaries units and use them to face the enemy while your warbands flank them. After the battle you may want to disband them cause your financial situation is bad.

Barbarian King

11-29-2004, 23:21

MY best strategy is to rush into the roman provinces as fast as possible. Your units are very cheap and eventually you will overun the romans. :charge:

Owen

12-23-2004, 21:19

Since I'm now the dominant game power as Gaul in a medium/medium game and this guide is still so short, I thought I should write something here.

Here's what I did:

Build ports where you can and traders elsewhere to increase income. Roads or farm upgrades might be more suitable for the first turn, thinking about it. Condate Redonum and Narbo Martius need palisades no later than about turn 4.

Turn 1: Build diplomats in Numantia and Alesia. Build warbands in Mediolanium and Patavium. If you don't build troops elsewhere, your towns grow quicker.

Put the army outside Patavium into the city. Send out all troops in and around Narbo Martius except a single warband towards Masilla. Move your boat near Condate Redonum to discover Samarobrivium and afterwards use it to scout for British forces about to attack Condate Redonum. Move your spy to scout around Italy and prepare for an attack. Move your current diplomat to sell maps to the Romans over the next few turns, but don't chose to receive "regular tribute" any time after turn 4.

Turn 2. Build barbarian cavalry in Alesia ready for the British attack. Continue building warbands in Patavium and Medolanium.

Besiege Masilla with your army from Narbo Martius and build battering rams. Send your diplomats west from Numantia and east from Alesia to meet the Spanish and Germans. Negotiate trade rights and an alliance, exchange military access and sell your maps to them both. If you attack the Romans before this point, you may not get military access, in which case they may break the alliance. You will probably actually enter negotiations on turn 3. After this, these diplomats should be selling maps to Carthage, exploring and bribing rebels armies.

Turn 3: Continue building troops as before. Build a warband or two in Condate Redonum.

Assault Masilla then build a garrison unit. You should occupy, not enslave so that the populations grows enough to remove the culture penalties quicker. Build roads first in Masilla. If you have been building those economic improvements and selling maps, you really shouldn't need to exterminate.

Turn 4: Keep building troops as before.

Send Masilla army towards Lugdunum. Move all units out of Mediolanium and Patavium except a warband in each, merging the two armies on your border with the Julii. I may have actually left this step until a turn later, I forget.

Turn 5: Keep building troops as before.

Besiege Lugdunum. Besiege Arretium. You should be selling maps to the Carthaginians in Corduba about now.

Turn 6: Keep building those troops.

You should now have roads, a trader and land clearance in Mediolanium. Build a stables there to help the push into Italy. IMHO, massive cavalry superiority is the only way for Gaul to beat the Romans. Keep building improvements in your other cities, as long as you can afford it.

Assault and occupy Lugdunum. Build a garrison unit and roads.

If the Julii haven't just attacked your besieging army, you now need to assault Arretium. I just occupied, since many of the Roman cities have populations of about 5000 at this stage of the game and hitting 6000 will allow you to reduce culture penalties as well as building Barbarian Noble Cavalry, Chosen Swordsmen and Foresters. Retrain all the units you can back to full strength.

Britannia will now be moving on Condate Redonum, thinking you're weak because of war with Rome. Move your Alesia army to within striking distance of Samarobriva, leaving your faction leader, a warband and a unit of cavalry behind. You should be building another unit of cavalry for the next turn. You may find this should happen one turn later.

Turn 7: Keep building improvements.

In the North, sally from Alesia if attacked there. Besiege Samarobriva. Ignore Condate Redonum, since Britannia will turn back to relieve Samarobriva and you will be able to hold them off with your warbands anyway if they do try to assault.

In Italy, do not attempt attack the Senate army until you have built up more troops, including cavalry from Arretium, and until you have taken Segestica and then Ariminium. By this time, your army that was taking Lugdunum should be about to arrive as reinforcements, and you should have about 9 full units of barbarian cavalry on the field. After I started to besiege Rome, I was attacked twice in one turn by the senate, leaving me with Rome, but most of my barbarian cavalry units with only 10 to 20 men. All those Roman generals and principes in one stack are unbeatable if you don't have enough cavalry to counter, as I found out when I got too cocky after taking Arretium the first time around.

After you take Rome, it's easy, just watch out for amphibious landings in western Italy, particularly if the Julii are still left in Caralis. Don't try to compete with the Roman navies, just hop between your new ports and take their cities. The only other important tip is to make sure you don't leave it too late to take Iuvavum (in the Alps) from the rebels.

You might like to shift your capital to Italy once you take Rome. I chose Arretium. At this point, you should only have about 36 cities to go for victory.

Claudius Maniacus Sextus

02-03-2005, 20:32

An word of advice if you r playng the gauls.
1)Strike in roman lands and iberian one.dont bother with germ. or brits.
2)ever played with egypt and tested those Pharaoh"s bowmens??no?what about against them?you did?and they were like super-wariors?gues what gaul has Forester Warband.Almost better.Develop a town quick so you can mass them early.
3)Useing flanking properly is ESSENTIAL against the romans.
4)DO NOT forget about iberia send an army and clean those lands of iberian filth.
5)After conquerd the iberian and the N and central part of Italy,use the iberian towns for econ. boom.
6)Concentrate on taking the rest of Italy.
7)After wiped out the roman scum,conquer modern germany and England
8)After that you could expand into Dacia,Greece or Africa for the rest of the 50 plan-to-conquer province's.I sugest if gone for Greece to move your capital to rome,same as for africa,for dacia just use one of your N italian cities as capital
9)You could go for the hole world but that IS imposibile.
10)ENJOY!!You'v beaten the game! ~:cheers: :charge: ~:cheers:

RollingWave

02-04-2005, 08:23

My take:

Gauls are arguablly one of the hardest playable factions ... they start with crap economy seperated lands, extensive borders and 4 potential enemies (2 of which will attack you very quickly) they have 1 unique unit that is pretty good but also comes very late.

The key is to
a. push the britions off the mainland ASAP : use ur leader from ur capital.. you might want to wait ill ur stable is rdy there but no later than that.

b. start hunting the juliies but don't rush too soon: if the Jullies want to hit you from land, they will have to fight a bridge battle with you, hold the 2 bridges into ur city and send the spy you start with into their land ( i didn't put him into cities as i wanted the whole picture) wait till the jullies seperate their army and/or have very poorly defended city then strike home. have one city build stable ASAP and mass dogs + barb cav while the other build up to swordsman asap. these 3 unit are very very crucial to ur early game... with all 3 u can beat the julliess in most equal siutations.

c. DO NOT get into a serious conflict with the Spaniards or Germans until you push the britions off the mainland and killed the jullies. ally them if you can, the Spaniards are much more prone to ally you cause they have the Carthiginians on their back

Here's a few general tips.
1. sell ur maps to everyone early on for 2-4k gold, it will help seriously in acturaully building up some infrastructure and army. sell to all 4 roman factions and sell to anyone u come across... that's easily over 10k gold in the bag in the first 2-3 turn. note you can do this to the same faction every once in a while too... but faction u are at war with are less likely to buy with good price and instead threaten u more often.

2.U must realize that ur infantry CAN NOT SAP, only ur peasents can. if that's what ur hoping to do (which is possible if ur going to storm Rome ) remember to bring 1 unit of peasent or at least some mercenary that can sap. (though it might be wiser to just go up the walls with them.)

3.Dogs are pretty much ur counter to everything early on (and later on too anyway but early is much more crucial) build them or die.

4.you move much faster if ur army is all calvary, so you might consider sending all cav army into roman lands to kill one small bach of unit then get out.

5.you can't upgrade ur town pass the 6000 pop lvl, so if you capture bigger cities early on enslave and later on exterminate, or else ur gonna be stuck with huge squalor... be ware of that and properly adjust tax rate and mass units etc.

Well i now beat the britons off the mainland and has killed the jullies and the senate... taking the rest of italy is a obvious no brainer but where to go after that i'm still considering... with only normal roads being buildable it seems hard to mount longer campaigns :(

Claudius Maniacus Sextus

02-05-2005, 22:52

b. start hunting the juliies but don't rush too soon: if the Jullies want to hit you from land, they will have to fight a bridge battle with you, hold the 2 bridges into ur city and send the spy you start with into their land ( i didn't put him into cities as i wanted the whole picture) wait till the jullies seperate their army and/or have very poorly defended city then strike home. have one city build stable ASAP and mass dogs + barb cav while the other build up to swordsman asap. these 3 unit are very very crucial to ur early game... with all 3 u can beat the julliess in most equal siutations.

2.U must realize that ur infantry CAN NOT SAP, only ur peasents can. if that's what ur hoping to do (which is possible if ur going to storm Rome ) remember to bring 1 unit of peasent or at least some mercenary that can sap. (though it might be wiser to just go up the walls with them.)

3.Dogs are pretty much ur counter to everything early on (and later on too anyway but early is much more crucial) build them or die.

4.you move much faster if ur army is all calvary, so you might consider sending all cav army into roman lands to kill one small bach of unit then get out.

i told about where to strike but not how........RW str. was almost what i used,but had an warbands+swordsmen+4cav(2dogs/2barbcav).and as i said upgr. one town to max for forrester and chosen and druids.

c. DO NOT get into a serious conflict with the Spaniards or Germans until you push the britions off the mainland and killed the jullies. ally them if you can, the Spaniards are much more prone to ally you cause they have the Carthiginians on their back

dont go for german lands as their not very money-producing.if the brits attack drive them back to their island.have one exp. army for julii and one into iberia because their towns are money-making.That means that to control iberia you must go to war with carthage too,soo conquer palmira?that near iberia island too.then finish the romans,having the financial suport of the iberian peninsula and one town that by now must build those elite forresters and chosen swordsmen.u r unbeatable.

PS:nice str. Rolling Wave.i sugest you go in africa or greece. :duel:

RollingWave

02-06-2005, 03:33

Gallicflair

02-13-2005, 18:24

After many false starts, I think I am finally getting somewhere with this faction.

Here some of my experiences, and general observations of playing on hard/hard.

General - I decided to go for a defensive strategy; I really wanted to plan for a later invasion of the Italy so that I could give my lads a crack at some post-Marian cohorts (crazy I know - but I am sure my boys will be able to handle it, when I get there ~:) ).

So to start with I made a descision to abandon the two Cisalpine (or are they trans-Alpine, I get confused) cities in northern italy. Infact I went one better and instead of simply abandoning them, I gifted them to the Germans who were more than happy to take them of of my hands.

I made an alliance with the Carthys and set up a trade deal with the Brits and Spanish.

All the units of Warbands were moved West and North to either disband at Lenonum, my soon to be capital, except for a few which I moved to Alisia, for the imminent declaration of war from Briton (which came much later than I expected as it turned out). All disbanded warbands were replaced with two barbarian cavalry units. Naked fanatics were also enlisted.

I quickly attacked and overan the two rebel cities, leaving me with a unified france.

I averted war with all factions for the first 8 years and gained trading rights form just about everyone. This way which allowed me to stabilise the economy and start making enough money to slowly upgrade all my cities, and streamline the two armies which I had decided upon.

Then war, with of course the Britons. Luckily - well, more by machiavelliean design actually - their allies, the Germans, had to sit the war out due to a small problem they were having in northern Italy with the Julii and some other roman factions ~;) .

The war was still young when the Spannish decided that they would also like some of my land. Alas. For the Spanish.

In the North the war was going well - many victories against sometimes overwhelming odds and the British hoards seem spent. I captured their only holding on the mainland and neutralized the British fleet, gaining control of the channel, building a small yet seasoned fleet, blockading British trade. They sued for peace - though I refused them trade rights.

In the south things have been very chaotic. Depsite many notable victories, and seiges withstood, I have been hard pressed in actually launching a definitive couter strike, mainly due to lack of man-power, and currency. Then after several against all odds - heroic victories I finally took Osca, when...

The Jullii come a calling. Seems they had some surplus troops left over to spare after beating the germans out of my former cites. They attackied suddenly and I marched a quick force of left-overs south to meet them. I quickly helped the Julli with their surplus troop problem and they fled the field less a faction heir and two family member also.

Then a weird thing happened - The Julii offered me a protectorate, which I humoured them by accepting. This lead to a cease-fire being declared with all other roman factions and trade was restored just in time to save my coffers from hitting the red.

The year is now 234 BC - I have been attacked by the Julii every other year for about 8 years now - each time they arrive I dispatch them with heroic effort and send them packing, so that they can offer me another protectorate which allows me to do a year of trade with the roman factions (I have a diplomat stationed in Italy).

The spanish have just been depleted trying to assualt Numantia in vein (again, and again). I shall move on their capital soon I think.

Numantia is now pumping out barbarian Noble Cavalry and Alisia has provided Forester warbands and is now replacing the Swordsman with Chosen Swordsman.

Tactics - Nothing original but worth a mention.

Cavalry - cost less to upkeep than warbands, get rid of most of your warbands asap and replace them with cavalry units. Gaul is big, has terrible roads, and you need to be able to repsond to threats quickly. Have garrisons of cavalry and some in forts (depleted units are great for this), by watchtowers etc. Basically just create a network of cavalry stations covering key hotspots that can be shuffled around to give good coverage.

Javelins - Skirmisher warbands are awesome units if used correctly. They are cheap to produce (147 Dinari) and, especially with the upgrades, can do some serious damage.

Armies - I usually have roughly equal amounts of Warbands, Naked fanatics, Swordsman and skirmishers in a stack. Usually about two of each. The rest is cavalry, 2-3 in the stack (excluding general) and whatever I can shuffle along the line from network of cavalry garrisons (typically another 2-3 cavalry).

Battles - If there are any trees, long grass or cover I will almost always opt for this over taking the high ground.

Warband centre in long thin formation, Swordsman to either flank, back a rank or so and slighty under-lapping the warband (to bolster their line if they start to waver). Skirmisher warbands (preferably in cover/long grass), set to stand, disable fire at will, but on the left flank ALWAYS. Naked Fanatics, one behind the warband in the centre (deep formation) and the other behind the Skirmishers (again, preferably in cover). Cavalry, equally split on either flank or hiding in some nearby woods. General - usually centre-left.

How to kill the Brits - Those chariots can be quite disruptive and hard to kill when first met, especially when the whole British family show up. I lure them to my line with a cavalry and then hit them with a javelin volley which always seems to get their attention. I then run my Skirmisher through my Warband, who are frothing at the mouth after a good warcry. The chariots will usually just plough on through in pursuit - the moment of impact I place the warband on gaurd, but only momentarily, I leave the skirmishers where they are to get massacred, and then charge in the underlapped Swordsman to help slow down the chariots. Once the chariots are slowed a little (and your line looks like a big mess) it's time to send in the Naked Fanatics, Hoorah. They usually break, pretty quickly, especially if you happen to have aby druids chanting as the Fanatics hit home. When you come to look back at your skirmishers you will see that they lost barely any men ~10 -15 usually at worst (the swordsman always seem to take the bigest beating, but hey, they are hardcore imho so can take it), and they are ready to go bait the next unit of chariots ~:) .

Killing Romans - Too easy - bring on the reforms Marius, you need it.

Did I mention that I love Skirmisher Warbands and that they have been decisive in ~ 50% of the major battles I have fought?

Claudius Maniacus Sextus

02-14-2005, 19:40

I'm thinking bout tanking the Iberian first (liek u suggested) and then taking the British isle to get the thorn off my back... but the Germans keep hit and run on me now (they and the British... they seige a city... my army comes... they run and sue for peace and then rinse :duel: so i decided to ambush my main northern army near my starting captial (since moved down south into Rome ~:cool: ) and gave the germans a little surprise when they tried that INTERNET again :charge: so now i'm at war with them but i don't think i want to continue fo too long as you said... war with Germans isn't very profitable, not to meantion Dacia is winning against them on the other front anyway.

5 warbands in city center can handle any army.also cap. the S of Iberian pen. Numidian City Tingi?.also cap. one german town(they have good beer ~:cheers: ),just joking.
PS:I use as garison naked fanatics.....low upkeep and pretty good stats(for garison). :duel:
PS2:as iberia i did exactly the oposite,conquerd Gaul and then some of africa. ~:cool:

RollingWave

02-25-2005, 20:24

The easiest path is probably killing the Romans FAST (ok.. it's also somewhat difficult due to the fact that ur basically 2 city vs 7 ) have at least 2 field army run around roman lands, use smart strategies, attack when u have the advantage, run if ur too vastly out nubmered, face them if they are seperated, avoid them if they are together.

When you fight remember to use war cry to ur biggest advantage, make sure when u charge u war cry and do all out charge. with barb cav you should usually have the flank advantage.

Priority of build ups... 1. stable : at least 2 city that can mass barb cav and dogs. 2.forester 3.swords: after playing more i find that unless ur gonna fight on walls swords really don't do anything that warband can't do (unlike say barb cav, dogs and forester... their power is irreplacable) warband have a better charge too and have more number... when doing all out warcry charge seriously warband do just fine if not better than normal swords and are far easier to replace.

I managed to get all of Italy except 1 city as the Bruttis agreed to become my protectrate, the Germans also give in , the Jullies and Senate is long gone, I'm not begining my conquest of Britian and slowly pushing against the Spaniards. will probably land on Sciliy soon to destroy the Scipiies.

scipio the even younger

03-16-2005, 20:25

gauls r actully preetty hard, you may notice your empire is split in 2 (alps seperate).well the first job is to join these and your gonna need a pretty big garrison to hold off roman attacks.so thats first.

second you need to ally with spain or germania or brits.also you are gonna need a big garrison in the north 2 as the britons and germans attack. they hit hard and they hit fast so alliances are key.
romans will never ally with you so concentrate on holding out till the others r dealt with.
you need to weather the attacks from the north and east while you build an army in the center of gaul to go and deal out some pagan justice to germanians and brits.romans will noirmall stop when they get your places in north italy but somethimes they just keep coming so hold them off for as long as possibl' . once you either conquer or force a cease fire out off the germams concentrate on the romans.its better 2 forc a cease fire from the germans as it doesn't tie down your forces 4 that long.
the britons will be a pain in the but unless you control the channel. also to safe keep your territry from spain put a fort in the middle of that passage between your land and thiers. now go deal with the julii.
if you kept up your defense and only lost1 or 0 then you will have probaly have ground down the julliis forces so att\CK WITH OUT DELAY...
you are going to have to assult pretty nfast as the bruti,scipii and spqr will be send their respective armies so so have to choose the ground to stand a chANCE.
for the senate theres only 1 bridge north across the river so plant a army there and wait,maybe build a fort. bruti you should have a ambush ready witha diversonal force in front to draw them forward.
the scipii come in turn 2 or 3 after you invade italia so you need to have ground the others to a pulp.
if you lose severly to the bruti retreat from the senate or they will sandwich u.
you should win against the scxipii if youy held the bridg as that is the way they all ways come.
if you hold your ground you can capture the rest of italy with ease as you will have kicked there armies all the way back to there makers.
now yoyu have virtully taken rome out of the game ~:cheers: earlie on.
then you go back to the germans and brits.

the hardest people youll play are the romans and greeks and macedonians and sellucids and egytions.

Kekvit Irae

04-01-2005, 01:00

Gaul starts with a large portion of land, but are at a strategic disadvantage. The primary one comes from the Julii to the south. Unless you capture Massilia and Lugdunum quickly, your northern Italian cities will fall from lack of troops pouring in from mainland France. The second one comes from the Britons and the Germans to the northeast. A quick paralyzing strike to the Britons on the mainland will cripple them temporarily. Keep them out of Gaul. The Germans, however, if unchecked, will steamroll through your cities like it was 1940. An alliance with Dacia and/or Scythia will prove benefitial in dealing with the Germanic threat. The third disadvantage is you are going to be backstabbed by Spain, and, to a lesser extent, Carthage. Hold Numantia at all costs, but if you see the Carthage steamrolling heading your way, you may as well raze all the buildings in the city and abandon it. You might get lucky with a rebellion.

Logicistally, Gaul is poor. Thankfully not as poor as Germania, but it will not get you the gold needed to raise armies on three fronts. Conquer Italy as fast as humanly possible to get the gold needed for your armies.

Tacticly, none of your low/medium-level units stands out. They are, at best, mediocre. However, what they lack in power, they make up for in sheer numbers. The main advantage you have is your proximity to Rome, and the fact that the Senate refuses to garrison Rome with its army. You can easily destroy the Senate with your north Italian army and a LOT of luck from the gods for your spy to open Rome's gates. If he is unable to open them in the first turn, be prepared to be whipped back to the stone age by the massive army of the Senate waiting just outside of the city. If you ARE able to open the gates to the city, charge in en-masse and let nothing stop you from securing the town square.
Congratulations, you just killed the Senate without dealing with the huge-arse army waiting just outside. Now you are able to train your best units (Barbarian Noble Cavalry, Chosen Swordsmen, and Forester Warbands) MUCH earlier than Alesia. You have now destroyed the Senate, but there still stands the problem of the Scipii, the Brutii, and the Julii (if you kept them alive on your push to Rome). The closest city to Rome is the Scipii's capital of Capua. Build up your army and take it. Now that you have two high-level cities close together, raze the temples in both and build the maximum level temple to Epona in one city (I use Rome), and a maximum level temple to Anobea in the other. Build mass amounts of Forester Warbands in the city with the Epona temple (to get them +3 experience), and them move them over to the city with the Anobea temple and retrain them (for gold weapon upgrades). Dont forget the Weaponsmith for an armor boost as well.

From this point on, it's all up to you, but the choice is obvious, you need to kill the remaining Roman factions before Marius can screw you over. Your next target should be Syracuse if the Scipii have taken it. Cities with stone walls are at a premium, and you need as much defense as possible. If the Scipii have not taken it, ignore it for now. No sense getting into a war with Greece or Carthage right now. If you are already at war with Carthage, and they own Syracuse, go for it. Your choice now becomes more complicated. Do you want to fight toward the east in Germanic and Greek lands, or do you want to fight to the southwest and destroy Spain and steamrolling through Numidia? Alexandria and Memphis is a grand prize, but so is Athens and Corinth. The choice is yours. However, if the Brutii have already taken a foothold in Greece, the choice is once again obvious.

Craterus

04-02-2005, 15:29

I was just mucking about and looking at all the factions and their objectives (objectives for short campaigns) and I saw the Gaul. They got a really tough deal. As you said, they got the Germans and Britons to the north and the Julii to the south. And the spanish on another front. And they have to destroy/outlast Julii and S.P.Q.R. . That campaign looks like a good challenge and definitely one that I'm going to attempt soon.

cunobelinus

04-03-2005, 18:26

craterus me and u can have a go at t if u wont i though they would be a good challange to i havent completed it yet.

Craterus

04-03-2005, 18:41

Littlegannon, use the PM system for personal messages.. (but yes, i was going to suggest that for our next joint-campaign)

Gaul starts with a large portion of land, but are at a strategic disadvantage. The primary one comes from the Julii to the south. Unless you capture Massilia and Lugdunum quickly, your northern Italian cities will fall from lack of troops pouring in from mainland France. The second one comes from the Britons and the Germans to the northeast. A quick paralyzing strike to the Britons on the mainland will cripple them temporarily. Keep them out of Gaul. The Germans, however, if unchecked, will steamroll through your cities like it was 1940. An alliance with Dacia and/or Scythia will prove benefitial in dealing with the Germanic threat. The third disadvantage is you are going to be backstabbed by Spain, and, to a lesser extent, Carthage. Hold Numantia at all costs, but if you see the Carthage steamrolling heading your way, you may as well raze all the buildings in the city and abandon it. You might get lucky with a rebellion.

kekvitare ^^^ This sounds like a brilliant strategy to begin with for the Gaul! ~D

Kekvit Irae

04-05-2005, 03:28

kekvitare ^^^ This sounds like a brilliant strategy to begin with for the Gaul! ~D

All I really did was take my strategy from Germania and convert it to a Gallic campaign. However, you are able to take Rome much more quickly with much less troops than the Germans if you get lucky with the spy. With the Germans, you pretty much have to abandon your settlements to muster the required army, and still need several turns to consolidate them into one army and march on Rome.
With the Gauls, the required army is right there above the Julii territory. Just bring a few more warbands from the nearby two settlements, and you are good to go. This prevents you from having to abandon your other settlements to the Britons. Unlike the Germans, a war with Briton and Germans, and a war with the Romans is quite feasable because you do not have to take the resources from France to try for a push on Rome.
Of course, taking the Julii's cities instead of going for an all out blitzkrieg against Rome will allow you to replenish your armies in case your spy fudges up.

RollingWave

04-09-2005, 06:39

You can beat the Romans early on, the key is you need a lot of barb cav and dogs, swords are helpful but warband will also make do, the thing is early on Romans don't build many equities, and in equal numbers barb cav >>> equities anyway. while they also don't have many triariis, the thing is you beat their flank first and then charge ur infantry with warcry, while ur flank cav and dogs join the charge, the Hastati/Principles will fall apart like rotten wood against such a attack.

pezhetairoi

04-21-2005, 08:19

Craterus

04-21-2005, 16:41

Wardogs aren't given enough credit, and too few people know how to use them. I was most amazed at the effect they had when I tried out a custom battle against Roman principes with a handful of warbands (only half of which eventually joined battle), about five units of wardogs and four barbcav. Wow. I'm definitely using more warhounds in future. Sending wardogs in, then charging your warbands after them straight at the beleaguered enemy units is an almost instant rout.

I think warhounds are given the credit they deserve. They were an option in the "Most annoying unit" poll because when they attack one of your units, your men tend to defend themselves and if you tell them to attack the dogs they target the handlers.

I like warhounds, any advice for me because I hope to use them when I attack Rome.

tibilicus

04-21-2005, 19:59

I never really use them in seiges Craterus. If i use them i normaly send them in to a nice piked line of men and them suport that with a wave of swords men. ~d Compleatly gets them every time in battles.

Craterus

04-21-2005, 20:03

By Rome, I mean the Roman Factions, apologies, my post was unclear.

cunobelinus

04-27-2005, 10:58

i find that charging dogs in to pikes just kills them and charging into pikesmen is not a very good idea i find hold them with men and then hit in flanks or round the back is one of the only way to beat pikmen u can fload them with men but u lose quite alot of men

tibilicus

04-27-2005, 15:36

I tried something against Carthage once. I charged wardogs into the lybian spearmen and they got absolutley miced. Maby it might work for swordsmen aswell........

Craterus

04-27-2005, 16:24

Dogs are a nice, niggling unit and enemies can't do much about them but the porblem is that once you set them off, you can't get them back.

pezhetairoi

04-28-2005, 01:19

doesn't matter, if they work well you'll get them back at the end of the battle anyway :-) Wardogs are nasty... just used my first unit of Scythian warhounds just to see what it would be like, on the Brutii :-D

RollingWave

04-28-2005, 06:06

The key to wardogs is not to send them in alone... except maybe against chariots or cavalry, against infantry they should always be send along with ur own infantry and/or a calvary charge.

katank

04-28-2005, 19:59

Hounds are best used as flankers or rear attack troops. Also, hold a few hounds in reserve and unleashing them at the right time can stop a cav or chariot charge cold. Then, you infantry can wade through the friendly puppies to cut down the enemy's hapless immobile cav.

One tip is to send cav to run down what ever the puppies are chasing quickly so the puppies can turn to other juicier targets.

Germania and Scythia have +25% more puppies in each pack. Producing them from +3xp temples = really mean puppies. They can tear up unarmored targets like warbands and missile troops nicely.

pezhetairoi

04-29-2005, 01:05

....and they're still puppies after all that? o_O

katank

04-29-2005, 03:52

Not particularly. More like battle field fiends.

I was once outnumbered 9:1 as the Gauls against the Britons with just basic warbands and thus in quantity as well. They had chariots and druids in addition to more experienced warbands.

I did have a 6 star general but they had a 4 star. My saving grace was a unit of 3 xp war puppies. Those things stood off and tore up 4 enemy warbands. A half suicidal charge by my general broke through, also letting some puppies to pour through the gap. The ensuing rear attack chain routed the enemy army and led to almost complete annihilation of the enemy. Gotta love those puppies of DOOM, muwahahaha.

pezhetairoi

05-03-2005, 01:49

The more I hear about them, the more I want to go to the petshop and start my own warpuppy band.

orcorama

05-04-2005, 20:33

i started a m/m gaul campaign
im onmly a short way into it but i imediately attacked ariminum but now i have the senate uberarmy on my doorstep
im trying to hold it and build up warbands in mediolanum and patavium to flood the romans out of italia

any suggestions for stratagies using war bands?
i need help!

katank

05-04-2005, 23:05

Try to outmaneuver the Senate army on the strategic map. Using 1 unit armis to distract them, it's quite possible to take Rome without fighting that army first.

Luck with spy will certainly help with that.

As for warbands, they are not that great morale wise so try and flank the enemy fast with your cav. That said, they are tough compared with something like iberian inf.

You should always use warcry and charge your warbands into the enemy about 5 second after warcry. This gives you a brief attack bonus of +4.

As the starting Gallic blitaz, you should move the druid unit towards Italy. Their chanting will give you an important morale advantage and serve as good reserves.

When using warbands, make sure you have superior numbers as the Senate army is better quality. You should use druid and warcry to maximize your advantage and then use sheer mass to slow them while your cav flanks and smashes them.

Try having your general right behind the warbands and rally constantly. This can boost wavering units to steady. He also gives a bit of a bonus and can charge into the fray if your lines are shakey.

IliaDN

05-05-2005, 05:23

When I have played Gauls I used warbands just to hold first enemy strike, after enemy army got stuck in warbands I used cav. to otflank and charge the enemy. Actually I started campaign with attacking romans in a few first turns.

pezhetairoi

05-05-2005, 05:26

It sounds entirely possible to do that, yes. Katank, can u elaborate on your outmanoeuvring the Senate army point? I'm not very familiar with the one-unit strategy. The Senate army, if faced by warbands, has to be faced by a LOT of warbands. No two ways about it. Either that, or you empty Gaul and go whole hog on Italy. But that'd be more of my style, where I don't rush at first, but prepare everything beforehand.

katank

05-05-2005, 18:08

First of all, 1 unit strategy is purely strategy map. Note how armies have a 9 square zone of control? 1 square that it's occupying and 8 that are in red.

Any army has that zone of control. Any enemies cannot pass through the ZoC without fighting. What you do is sack the Julii towns. Then, the Senate army will often get frisky and start coming towards you.

You get about 3-5 armies all consisting of 1 peasant unit. You place them in a solid wall and this will establish a continuous zone of control.

Your actual army goes for Rome. By maneuvering the peasant armies around, you can make sure the Senate army can't get to Rome in 1 turn. Just siege and assault. Spies make it even easier as you don't even need siege equipment.

This is a bit of an exploit as the AI rarely attacks with a single army twice during a turn. The Senate army will often engage your peasant army. You retreat from the battle. They will not attack your main army which will kill Rome and turn them into rebels the next turn.

First of all, rebels aren't aggressive and don't have to be dealt with right away. Secondly, rebels don't get triarii and principes. The result: about 6-7 harcore melee units you don't have to fight. This is a big deal.

orcorama

05-05-2005, 22:24

sounds good
definetaly a lot beter then charging with 4 warbands into the full senate army LOL
ill try it next time i play

pezhetairoi

05-06-2005, 01:09

wait, I thought -any- units in the army that became rebel would continue to exist only turning white? Which means if you ever decided to attack it, wouldn't you still have to face those triarii and principes?

orcorama

05-06-2005, 02:30

i think usually rebel armies from large destroyed faction armies lose some units and katank said that rebels can't have the triarii and principes

of course im not an expert

katank

05-07-2005, 02:20

Velites and Hastati do turn white. That's because rebels do own those basic units. However, they don't get triarii or principes which means those troops disband.

This is a huge savings as you can send about 1/2 the force compared to before to deal with them.

pezhetairoi

05-09-2005, 04:03

...nice.

The Stranger

05-27-2005, 17:26

the best way i would play gaul is let the enemy come to me. warbands are not that good attackers. just defend the passes and bridges, with some light stacks and raid the lands beyond it. the romans will attack you, but if you give up Mediolanium and the other city you can delay war and train better units. you defend the bridge between cis and trans alpine Gaul. the romans will attack you there constantly, but if you have a good strategie and some good units, you will slaughter every roman army that comes. i fought on that bridge and hold firm for 30 years with 70 fights, 50000 romans were killed on that bridge while i only lost 5000 men. massilia can be used as a retrain center. the romans will be the thoughest but the spains and later the carthaginians can be hard. but a good alliance can keep them in order for some time. in these 30 years the romans will dry out and fade, after a while their yearly attack on the bridge will stop (the stupids just don't want to go around it) and you can attack them and roll them up from north to south. italy (apart from the senate army) is in the later games quite undefended. attack from all sides, and the chaos will be complete. with those romans gone and with 9 chev foresters (atleast i had that) you can start and conquer the world. the spanish will be in a war with carthage and will be a easy target. also dacia can be an option or just invade the lands of carthage or greece

katank

05-28-2005, 17:04

Why the defeatist attitude? You can take segesta first turn with your general and cav in Mediolanium. With the starting armies of Mediolanium and Patavium combined, you can defeat their entire Julii force on turn 3. This will give you both Julii cities early on. Then use maneuvering on the strategic map to shut off the Senate army while you siege and sack Rome.

The Stranger

05-31-2005, 18:52

that's no fun

The Stranger

05-31-2005, 18:53

also the senate army in RTR has 9 full upgraded PRAETORIAN COHORTS (9 chevs and 3 upgrades)

gardibolt

08-29-2005, 20:09

Trying out a H/M Gallic campaign, and things went quite well for a while. I kicked the British off the mainland, unified Gaul, allied with Carthage, took the rebel provinces north of the Julii and also Salona and Segestica. The Julii fell pretty quickly, but the AI has taken to a frustrating strategy. The SPQR stack is camped on the ford between Arretium and Rome. The Rebel-army-that-was-Julii is camped out on the bridge between Mediolanum/Patavium and Arretium. They've been there for a couple years now. I've tried to push both of them back with disastrous results (though the meat grinder effect was amazing to watch). I did have the SPQR down to just its last units but my warbands finally all routed at once, alas, and the SPQR have magically reconstituted themselves at full strength, which I'm not able to manage. I'm concerned that my Italian troops are essentially cut off as a result, and I've built so many troops I can't build any more in Arminium and few in Segesta or Arretium, and the Brutii keep attacking me in Arminium, making it unlikely that I'll be able to hold it much longer. I guess the best thing to do is build some cavalry and war dogs in Massila and Narbo and ship them by boat over to Rome and take it out, and ignore the SPQR and ex-Julii until such time as they get bored and move off the bridges.

Has anyone occupied Rome as Gaul rather than exterminating/enslaving it? I'm toying with the idea of occupying it and then making it or Arretium the capital but I don't know whether that will suffice to overcome the cultural issues. But I suppose I should keep from being driven into the sea first.

Deus ret.

08-30-2005, 10:44

Hmm well not too good a situation. Bridge battles vs. Romans are very nasty, but IMHO you have a nice antidote as Gauls: Use your super weapons and build some units of 3xp 3upg Forester warbands. That should send most enemies to hell, whether standing on a bridge or not...

gardibolt

08-30-2005, 18:42

Yeah, the trick will be surviving until I can build Forester Warbands at all. In addition to the Romans and Britons, now I've also been attacked by Spain, Germania and Macedon, and none will agree to a ceasefire, even in exchange for a city. Ugh. I'll never get a city up to 6000 at this rate--the closest I am is about 5200--since I keep having to retrain and train troops to defend myself, and I've lost or abandoned four cities to boot. Those Germanic pikemen are a lot tougher to fight as Gauls than they ever were as Romans.

My one hope lies in being able to sack Rome and spread some slaves around the Gallic Empire to get me to Tier 3 in a couple cities; my siege is going well so far and I've killed stacks totalling about 4000 troops from SPQR, Brutii and Scipii---it would have been 800 more but I accidently clicked End Battle instead of Continue Battle when I had a half-stack of Scipii on the run. :furious3: There's just one general in Rome proper left in the SPQR faction, and I'm myself now parked on the bridge outside as I besiege, so I may be able to do it. Alas, my reinforcements are cut off by the Brutii besieging Arretium (they've already seized Arriminium). In deep doodoo here.

bubbanator

08-30-2005, 22:44

Wait, did you say that right? The Brutii are beseigeing your cities?!?! I have never seen them send an army north of Rome when playing as any faction. They are usualy more preocupied with taking Greece.

Craterus

08-31-2005, 01:02

gardibolt

08-31-2005, 18:03

Interesting campaign. I have never seen the Brutii go north either, always east. But it is usual for Gaul to be attacked by a lot of factions aty once, similar to the Greeks.

Gaul was going to be my next campaign, but I won't finish my Armenian campaign before BI comes out. To make up for no Gaul, I will play Franks first in BI. I think I'll play Gaul when I go back to original RTW.

Yes, for some reason the AI is aggressive as hell in this campaign and has completely flipped out. The Brutii besieged and took Arriminium from me and now they're besieging Arretium. They also sent a half-stack at my force attacking Rome. The Scipii have sent two stack there as well, and they've all been ground up into hamburger.

At least I have the AI's attention. :dizzy2:

Craterus

08-31-2005, 21:08

Well, the Romans will put everyone else on hold. Because they can. Rarely does a faction make war with the Romans (at the start). The Brutii go after the Greeks/Macedon, Scipii kill everyone on Sicily. Julii do nothing, and sometimes are attacked by Gaul. And since you are kicking the Julii off the face of the planet, the other Romans can put their invasions on hold and defend the Republic!

gardibolt

09-02-2005, 17:37

Well, an extended evening of playing this wild Gaul campaign and I'm hanging on by the fingernails. The Brutii accomodatingly attacked me on the bridge outside Rome and the last SPQR general aided, and they were mowed down utterly. Enslaving the city got 2 places up to tier 3, and I started building Forester Warbands in Rome proper. Sent one of them to Arretium to help fend off an approaching half-stack of Brutii and they pretty much annihilated the entire archer-less army without taking a single loss. These are nice, nice units. ~D

OTOH, Spain and Germania and Britain are as aggressive as ever, sieging most of my cities every single turn, as fast as I can sally and break the sieges, and now Carthage has allied with Spain and started attacking me too. Macedon keeps coming and they snatched away Patavium so the gains are being lost as fast as they come. But a couple more turns of producing Forester Warbands (now Mediolanum and Massilia can make them too) and those hordes of Macedonian hoplites will be toast. :duel: I am seriously looking forward to that moment. They are really ticking me off. :furious3: They were so easy to destroy as the Romans, it's really a different perspective trying to kill them with the hapless Gauls.

So although things are still desperate, the Foresters should be able to pull me out of this hole. If only they didn't take 2 turns to build!

Craterus

09-02-2005, 19:32

If things get too bad in mainland Gaul, you could just emigrate to Italy. I doubt the Brits/Spaniards would chase you there, and they would probably start fighting each other. That means you can concentrate your forces in one place. But, it doesn't sound like you are struggling too badly yet.

gardibolt

09-06-2005, 19:21

I'm not sure I'm using warcry right, and it doesn't seem to be documented anywhere that I can find. How close do you have to be to an enemy for it to have an effect? Can a unit not in combat warcry and help one that is in combat? Do you have to wait for them to stop chanting to charge the enemy, or has it already worn off if you do that?

Afro Thunder

09-07-2005, 02:01

You have to do the warcry just prior to entering combat. It works best when you do the warcry, then when the soldiers stop making noise, order the charge.

Dutch_guy

09-07-2005, 14:30

If things get too bad in mainland Gaul, you could just emigrate to Italy. .

yes , I would advise the same thing, even if you're not having problems with your main lands.
The thing is , that the Julii and other Romans have surperior units, so you want to take them out asap, definitely before the Marius event occurs.
And if you're able to churn out CS before they get principes in most of your armies then your doing great.

So my advice would be to go strait for the Julii , with your starting armies in Patavium and Mendiolanum - well you might want to train a couple of additional warbands.
the merge the armies and go straight for the Julii capital, fight the battle yourself, you're going to be hard put due to the lack of morale / discipline of the warbands but you should be able to win the battle.
once the Julii are out of the picture , try going for the brutii - who will occaisionly try and help the Julii when you fight the Julii.
Leave the Scipii alone for the moment - they are to close to the senate army , plus they aren't a threat , since all their armies are in Sicily.

Push all the way up to croton and the other Brutii city on mainland Italy and once you've secured the once Brutii lands you should churn out your foresters and CS - either from the Brutii capital or any other city who can produce these battle winning troops.

so when you thinkn the time is right , when your lands in Gaul are secured , and armies in Italy retrained go for the Scipii capital, attack from the east, so the Senate army can't help.
Once the city is taken , move the same army to rome and besiege it from the south-east, you really want to do this since you'll then be defending a ford against the senate army m which if you do right is a clear win , with almost no losses on your side , due to the mass route.

After Italy the world is yours !

:balloon2:

gardibolt

09-07-2005, 16:23

I've already wiped out the Julii and the Senate. ~:cool: Things seem to have stabilized in the mainland and I think I may concentrate on wiping out the pesky Spanish so I have at least the rear secure and don't have to keep worrying about them.

Dutch_guy

09-07-2005, 21:03

yes that would work , but keep good garrisons near Brutii holdings.
And I don't know the diplomatic relation with the Britons and germans , are they good ?
If they are, then you should indeed go for the spanish.

:balloon2:

gardibolt

09-07-2005, 23:36

No, I'm under constant attack by stack after stack from the Britons, Germans, Spanish, Carthage, Brutii, Scipii and Macedonians. I think the Scythians have declared war on me too, but they're too far away to actually do anything about it. But I've got to start eliminating enemies, and Spain looks like the weak link to me. No one will even discuss ceasefires.

Seamus Fermanagh

09-08-2005, 02:16

If you have any way to create/finesse a crossing, taking out Britain might be a better bet. Spain may be the weak link, but Britain reduces enemies and the borders you need to defend. With 2 groups of romans and the Carthas after you, Spain is a lot of coastline to add to your defense. Sounds like you're wrasslin' alligators -- fun!

Seamus

gardibolt

09-08-2005, 16:28

I don't think a British invasion is in the cards; they took back both Samarobriva and Condate Redonum so I don't have a port on the north side. While I might be able to retake Samarobriva, there's a half stack of chariots in Condate that spells trouble.

Seamus Fermanagh

09-08-2005, 17:11

Understood.

My idea of "clearing one flank completely" would really only work to shorten your lines if you could get the British Isles themselves without losing your posterior in the process. Your caution is understandable.

Seamus

Dutch_guy

09-10-2005, 20:03

Are the Spanish a threat to your current holding there in Spain ?
Is Carthage at war with you or Spain ?

If all you holdings in Spain are save , and your lucky enough to be at peace with Carthage AND Carthage is at war with Spain you should concentrate all your forces on the British / German invaders.
And only leave garrison forces in Spain

The attack in the North could be done something like this :
( keep in mind I have no idea what kind of armies you have , north where they are stationed , and what kind of troops your enemies have. )

Get your army from Alesia to take back the Holdings in the North , which I take it now belong to the britons ?
Take out the Britons in the North and drive them from the mainland, after that block the Engliosh Channel with your own ships, so that the Brits won't be able to make another attack on the Mainland of Europe, don't Invade the Brits just yet , focus on the Germans.

When you sent your Alesia army toward the BRits , send an army from Lugundum towards the Germans ,supported by an Army from either Meniolanium or Patavium . With your best generals.
try to attack simultaneously from the South ( Italy ) and West ( lugundum ) and your army that took back North Europe from the BRits.
Then keep on attacking the German Armies and major citys, the smaller ones you could keep as a buffer zone to the Scythians and Dacians.

After that you could focus on anhialating Spain or pushing South to Greece / Macedon

~:cheers:

:balloon2:

gardibolt

09-12-2005, 21:29

No, Spain is attacking me nonstop, and every now and then Carthage sends some troops. Things were on their heels in Iberia. I've seized Osca and Nova Carthago, and will be heading for Cordoba in a sweep next; I may send the main garrison in Numantia over to simultaneously hit Lusitania and keep them off balance. Then there's just that one more little Spanish village that I'll exterminate up in the northwest, and then they're gone for good. I'm hoping that this will calm things down and give me one front that's not a constant battleground so I can concentrate on the Germans and Britons. The Macedonians are besieging two of my cities so I can't ignore them either. :dizzy2: The Brutii and Scipii are rebuilding so they're not on my radar screen at the moment; first things first.

gardibolt

10-03-2005, 18:03

Finally got back to this Gaul campaign (need to finish it so I can load BI) and decided to make an all-out blitzkrieg in Spain. Wiped out the Spanish faction heir and faction leader, wiped out the Carthaginian leader in Spain and am besieging the last cities in Iberia, so that should be no problem in the future. I got lucky with an assault team on the main German stack near Alesia, and the Macedonians have gotten distracted by the fact that when they emptied Patavium to attack me, it went rebel on them so they've gone back to deal with their problem children. Finally found someone who would trade with me (Greece and Thrace) so I've started having a couple thousand of income again, and we may yet be able to right this ship. If I can just hold off the British from moving farther south into France before I can conquer Iberia completely, this may work out after all. Oh, and while Macedon will probably retake Patavium, it seems to have mysteriously come down with the plague. Heh heh.

===

Edit 10/04/05: The plan worked beautifully so far. I exterminated Cordoba, Osca and Lusitania, getting me enough ready cash to put Alesia, Rome and Arretium on a good financial footing and build some much-needed market upgrades and a crop of Foresters--and incidentally keeping those rebellious provinces quite happy since they now have lebensraum. Now that I have peace in Iberia and trade working the cash is starting to flow and I have the Germans on the run. The Britons are still a problem (they seized Acquitaine, though I made them pay dearly), but I'm moving a half-stack from Iberia to go deal with them, picking up soldiers along the way. The former Spanish faction heir is parked along the way and I'm going to try to bribe him to head this stack. I anticipate driving the Britons off the continent in 2-3 years without much trouble. The Brutii kept attacking me in Arretium until finally they left Arriminium undefended, so now I've seized that and am looking at a move on the Scipii capital. The breathing room from the Spanish conquest was exactly what I needed. I've been able to go to Numidia and gotten trade rights there, which should help immensely--I couldn't before because of the humungous Spanish fleet, which seems to have evaporated.

===

Edit 10/6/05:

Mopping up the Germans and heading towards driving the Britons off the continent--the Britons are down to only Condate Redonum and I've been picking off the expeditionary forces it keeps sending down so its once-full-stack is no more than half a stack now. I have druids on the way from Spain but they may no longer be needed by the time they arrive. I eliminated the Brutii in Italy in spectacular fashion--the final battle was a very near thing, with my entire army routing except for 2 groups of foresters numbering 35 and 13--but they still had arrows and picked off the Brutii general, and then mowed down the rest of the army to the point that when they ran out of arrows and the remnants of the Brutii charged, the foresters were able to rout the entire thing fighting hand to hand! Alas for me, when I hit End Turn I got a CTD. I was so depressed I couldn't bear to reopen to see whether it saved before the CTD. I'd be in a bit of a difficult spot, since the nearby Scipii have three 3/4 stacks, but I really hate to lose what was such an epic turn of the tide.

EDIT 10/7/05:

Well, I finally looked to see if the save was good, and it was. Whew! The Britons were again expelled from the continent, though they just landed another stack at Samarobriva so after I deal with that it's time to pay a little visit to the British Isles. Macedon has gotten more aggressive and has started attacking me in Mogontiacum along with the oncoming German stacks (I thought I'd killed most of their big cities but apparently there's still something more tasty out there). Stupid phalanxes. Eat Forester arrows, Mac. The Brutii have been pounded into submission so I finally decided to pay some attention to the Scipii with my spy; I've been ignoring them for the most part with their one city in the boot. They just landed another stack from Sicily, and the damned thing is half onagers! I see I'm going to have to attack them pronto; 2 more turns of building cavalry and I should be good to go---assuming they don't assault me first. Ai ai ai! With any luck they're far enough apart that they won't be able to reinforce----not sure I can take on four stacks of Romans in the same battle plus whatever might wander out of the city. By then my diplomat should finally have been able to get to Egypt; an alliance or at least good trade should be a nice boost for me. I hope. While I'm at least keeping my head above water (5-6000 net income per turn), I can see that the next few turns are going to be muy critical. I wish I had an Esus temple closer to Italy; I could really use some druids there.

Edit 10/10/05:

The turns were not quite as critical as anticipated. I finally got my diplomat to Egypt, and got trade rights, though they were utterly uninterested in map information. The Scipii conveniently split their four stacks up, which is a good thing since they just got the Marian Reforms and I'm not sure my barbarians could handle a full army of post-Marian troops. One stack went after Tarentum to support their Brutii brethren (who keep coming in dribs and drabs from Thrapsus across the Adriatic) and they were quickly slaughtered in the open field. The second went to Rome and died before the walls on my first sally. I then sent the Roman army to Capua and seized it without too much difficulty, thanks to my troops being numerically smaller and thus the Scipii were encouraged to sally out and attack rather than give me a hard time besieging. They paid the price. The fourth stack was standing around and having a fair amount of cash handy I bribed the stack and took in their family member, since I only had one general in Italy and could really use another one. Those darned Scipii were a step ahead of me, though, because when I moved him into Capua, the Scipii sent an assassin with the plague in and infected BOTH my generals. Aaaaargh! They're not dead yet....we'll see whether they get over it. At any rate, it's finally time to start building a navy and assault Sicily. Mediolanum is building up to take the fight to Macedon, and the Channel has been successfully crossed and Londinium exterminated. Looks like pretty clear sailing in the immediate future, with about 24 territories yet to be taken. I'm hoping that once I've taken Sicily the Scipii will go about fighting with Egypt and Numidia and leave me alone.

The Spanish army hit on the idea of a naval assault on Palma, the last Carthaginian territory, and one that always generates lots of trade income. But what to do about the unbeatable full stack of Macedonian ships patrolling the straits? Misdirection. While I build my army on the promontory opposite Palma, I'm building little boats in Osca and Narbo to go out and attract attention, slyly pulling the Macedonian fleet ever farther away from my real target. Once they can't intercept me, off goes the invasion boat. So far, it has worked like a charm and right now the Macedonians are up fooling around on the Riviera sinking my decoy boats. Just need to keep them busy for the 2 turns it takes to get to Palma and Carthage is toast.

===

Edit 10/24/05:

Taking Palma was definitely the right move; income jumped from 2000 per turn up to 6-8000 by this one stroke. Macedon made it a little more difficult than it should have been, since one of its fleets didn't take the bait and what should have been a 2-turn excursion ended up being a 5-turn trip instead. So I've started building large boats at every single port to start cleaning up the navies.

Germany has been destroyed, and their allies Dacia made the mistake of helping just before they went under so I'm now eliminating them too--they're down to one province, Domus Dulce Domum and that won't last them long since I greatly out-tech them. Macedon has given me endless grief in this game, so I've started pounding them one city at a time. I ended up losing the battle for Thessalonika, their capital, however, due to the 15 minute timer--only the 2nd time that has ever happened for me (the first was when I was still trying to figure out the siege equipment). But playing on medium unit sizes I slew over 2500 of their best troops so the return engagement shouldn't be too difficult. Even though the Greek Cities are at war with them, they refuse any sort of alliance, even after modest gifts.

The Scipii are reduced to just Lilybaeum on Sicily, and that's not long for this world. I built a diplomat and parked him in the middle of the island, and whenever they send over a contingent of troops I bribe it away. So what was a fearsome full stack of Legions and Urban Cohorts is now just a handful of men that will quickly fall before my Foresters. Six provinces to go for the victory condition, and now it's really just a matter of deciding which six they will be. This has been a very tough campaign till just recently (seizing Spain and then Parma was the key to turning it around) but a lot of fun and intriguing.

I've always wondered why some people seem to find they have too much money as Gaul, and recently I've figured it out: there's nothing to build above level 3, so you're not doing much construction in the late game and have nothing to spend money on. The cultural differences are great enough in the Macedonian cities that I routinely exterminate as a way not to tie up troops in garrisons, and so cash flows in and little flows out.

Chimp

11-05-2005, 15:00

Thanks to this thread, the Gauls have gone from a lackluster snoozefest to a fantastic game experience for me!

I'm one of those guys who like to compose armies based on the strength of each civilization rather than having more generic solutions that can be adapted to every civilization, so for the Gauls I've been experimenting with ways to really put the focus on the Forrester Warband. Here's my favorite army so far:

8 Forresters
6 Chosen Swordsmen
3 Druids
1 General, 2 Cavalry

Pretty unorthodox, eh? I originally had 6 Cavalry, but that turned out to be overkill so I replaced 3 with Druids. I line up two rows of Forresters in 4x2, one close to the enemy, the other further to the back. Further back still, preferably on a hill or somesuch, I place the Druids and the Swordsmen on the wings along with the Cavalry either on the flanks or hidden somewhere secret.

Battleplan is simple. Let the enemy march towards you and once they get going, start chanting. Since the only thing within Onager ranger is 4 lousy archers - which are of course hidden in plain sight - he has no other options, cuz I ain't moving! As he marches, the Forresters in the front start their rain of death, and once the enemy is too close and they need to skedaddle further towards the back, the second band takes over, and now they benefit from the Druids as well. Once the enemy gets close to the second band, the first group has long been lined up to take over yet again. The last stand-off is right in front of the Druids, and finally everybody scurries behind the Swordsmen, as they do their warcry. Then the Swordsmen charge, the Cavalry swoops down on a flank and 4 Forresters go fire arrow and the other 4 normal ammo for better kill ratios while the Druids chant along. Othertimes I go all fire.

It's not unusual for a line-up of 10 Urban Cohorts to simply melt away before they reach the Swordsmen in this setup - and this is in Custom Battle without upgrades. I can't wait to get my campaign going so that I can get the bennies of the temples plus experience plus a general on top! Once the biggest wave breaks I let the Druids loose to join the slaughter. I don't really worry about friendly fire, but if I get the chance to do prefer to move the Forresters to the flanks, and the back of the enemy, of course. Depending on the terrain it's sometimes best to arrange the Forresters in 4x2 right in front of the Swordsmen, but the principle is the same.

Those arrows are just dynamite!

I've also experimented with armies with 8 Warhounds apiece, but there's no way in hell I can get that to work with Gaul.

NeoSpartan

01-16-2006, 07:36

Gaul almost imposible in VH/VH in Version 1.3 I still have to try it in Version 1.5.

I have re-started the Gaul campain about 4 times now and the last time I gave up when the Greek Cities started attacking me with thier Armored Hoplites. I was already having a hard enough time with the Germanian Spear Warband.

I'll get back to once I am in the mood.... Gc Wall

Goalie

03-08-2006, 04:48

At first I didn't think the Gauls were any good. After thrashing them with the Juili. But they are a pretty cool faction to play with. Their Forester Warbands are amazing and one of my favorite units in the game. Barbarian Noble calvary and chosen swordsmen are also pretty solid units to fill out the rest of the army. Their pretty easy to play with in campaign. (I played medium campaign and hard battles) The Germans and Spanish can easily be cut down with Foresters and Noble Calvary. The Britians can be a little tricky with the chariots, but foresters with flaming arrows can be affective. The Romans can also be tough, but if you strike before Marius you can overpower them. One huge downside that ticks me off is that they can't construct stone walls. Another disadvantage is no artillery, so that means no assualts or massive artillery bombardments. Overall the Gauls are great in the begining and towards the middle of the game, but Marius and the Romans can overwell them with superior units later on in the game.

Ludens

03-09-2006, 13:32

The Britians can be a little tricky with the chariots, but foresters with flaming arrows can be affective.
Actually, flaming arrows are worse against British chariots: they give a morale penalty but are less accurate so you shouldn't use them against higher-tier units like chariots. They are effective against the scythed chariots however, because these, like elephants, can run amok. Otherwise, I agree completely with your assessment of the Gauls. :bow:

Seamus Fermanagh

03-09-2006, 23:05

Question:

Has anybody tried the following:

Defend the Padus valley until the communities have built up a bit, but then allowed the Jollies and/or Brutes to conquer them just long enough to get you stone walls ampitheatres and the like and then take them back?

I would think you'd end up with a border that consisted of 2 bridges, 2 stone-walled cities, and three mountain passes in succession. This should allow you to hold against rome and expand elsewhere (the Steppes, Spain, Northern Dacia) while bleeding the Romans and honing an incredibly experienced army in Northern Italia. Then when the end-game approaches, you should be close enough where a campaign down the Italian peninsula is enough to finish for the win.

Thoughts?

gardibolt

03-10-2006, 17:29

That sounds pretty clever---to encourage them to retake the towns, after you abandon them you might give the Julii map information to make sure they know that they're free for the taking. The main problem would be stopping them from making further incursions before they actually get around to building the stone walls; the AI is kind of stupid about doing that.:dizzy2: Or even better, I suppose you could offer to give the two provinces to them in exchange for a ceasefire and trade rights, which would encourage them to not attack you for at least a few turns and make it more likely they'd improve the cities.

Seamus Fermanagh

03-10-2006, 23:52

macsen rufus

04-03-2006, 15:15

I'm also finding Gaul (H/H) a lot more fun to play than I expected after thrashing them so badly in the Julii campaign! Those Foresters from Alesia (teched up to gold weapons) make a huge difference. I've only got one centre for Druids so haven't had much experience of those yet (my starting unit got wiped out by a Brit assault in the early game, in which my faction leader was about the only survivor from a full stack - grrr.)

I've been trying a four-line set up - Foresters in front, then skirmishers, then standard warband, with swords behind. Cav on the wings. This sorts out most charges, even British chariots - foresters make a mess, then skirmish back through the javelins, who make more of a mess before retreating. By this point most enemies that manage to reach the spear line just up and run back to where they came from, with more javs and arrows in their backs. Most times the swords just stand there polishing their armour. If it gets sticky, the swords go forward and cavalry in the flanks usually turns the tide.

I'm also getting to like the dogs a lot more than their Roman equivalents. I've found them to be an excellent pinning unit for bridge defences! A pack of dogs on a bridge can hold back an entire army long enough for your skirmishers to run out of ammo. Besieging Rome from the ford on the Tiber left me with just two river battles to eliminate the entire SPQR forces thanks to "relieving" forces from the Scipii. Although with 6 SPQR FMs in the first stack it did come down to a long melee, but not a single warband routed!

Since taking Rome, the Bruts and Scips have been taking turns besieging me every turn, but easy sallies with 4x foresters on the ramparts and 1 unit of dogs to provoke the besiegers into arrow range means I can pull my inf and cav out of the gate to make a target and the Romans usually rout without my melee troops having to do much at all apart from looking hairy and brutish.

I expected the lack of artillery to be a drawback (and I love my artillery usually!) but with a bit of planning, siege tower assaults can be a lot more devastating than an artillery-led assault. You just have to know how to use possession of the walls to best effect.

My wars and diplomacy don't seem to match anyone else, and I reckon these campaigns are all highly variable -- those guides that say you have to take on faction x before faction y etc will just guide you into replaying someone else's game. I also think the AI adapts to your play style (I don't bother much with the diplomacy/subterfuge, and find the AI doesn't much either compared to other people's games. And I've NEVER had a bribe work for me -- all attempts refused!)

Currently allied to Carthage, Scythia, Greeks; have eliminated Britons, Spain, SPQR, Jullii; at war with Germans, Bruts and Scips. Expecting Macedonians to have a go at me soon - one of their spies has been causing havoc in Patavium (which I've never given up to retake at any point!), and the alliance with Carthage can't last much longer now that I have just killed off the Spanish royal line. I hold all of Spain except Corduba (Carthaginians) and Asturica (Rebels). Britannia fully garrisoned with about ten units - no doubt I'll need more as the population level recovers.... And my family's surname seem to be "the Conqueror". Next step is to take Trier, so I can hold off the Germanics at the Rhine. Finish off Italy once the Bruts and Scips have exhausted themselves at the foot of the walls of Rome (oh, will they ever learn???) and no doubt by then either the Macs or the Carthaginians will have attacked and opened up a new front... Or maybe the Dacians, who are being suspiciously quiet whilst lurking in the Alps and allied to all my enemies.

AwesomeArcher

05-15-2006, 04:56

Actually, flaming arrows are worse against British chariots: they give a morale penalty but are less accurate so you shouldn't use them against higher-tier units like chariots. They are effective against the scythed chariots however, because these, like elephants, can run amok. Otherwise, I agree completely with your assessment of the Gauls. :bow:

What is the diference between scythed chariots and regular british chariots? I agree with Bettkicker19, i too was surprised by the gauls. I too ran over them with ease in campaingn. And i would assume it would get hard for the gauls later in the game with the powerful post-marian roman armies. And forrester are pretty darn cool. I think i am going to start a new campaign with gaul now.

Lorenzo_H

05-15-2006, 09:37

Which city in Gaul is the best?

AwesomeArcher

05-15-2006, 15:12

Which city in Gaul is the best?

Probably Alesia, as it is the capital and starts out with the most buildings and units to recruit.

Lorenzo_H

05-15-2006, 15:34

Probably Alesia, as it is the capital and starts out with the most buildings and units to recruit.
Does it have good growth, fertile land and economic potential? (right click on the surrounding land to find out the fertility)

AwesomeArcher

05-15-2006, 15:40

Does it have good growth, fertile land and economic potential? (right click on the surrounding land to find out the fertility)

Arent you able to do this on your own? I am a school right now in Speech class and am done with my speech so i am messing around on here and cant really play the game right now. :book:

Lorenzo_H

05-15-2006, 15:56

Arent you able to do this on your own? I am a school right now in Speech class and am done with my speech so i am messing around on here and cant really play the game right now. :book:
Sorry, but I am also in school! I can't play it either, as it happens. Whats more I haven't even unlocked the Gauls yet.

Craterus

05-15-2006, 16:16

I'm starting a Gaul campaign on RTR Gold (as soon as I can get a mouse with a scroll button) so maybe we could have another forum-wide campaign where everyone plays the same faction and shares their tactics and strategies.

Anyway, I'll update soon.

AwesomeArcher

05-15-2006, 17:09

Sorry, but I am also in school! I can't play it either, as it happens. Whats more I haven't even unlocked the Gauls yet.

You could just go and tweak the game a bit to unlock gaul without conquering them.

Lorenzo_H

05-15-2006, 20:48

You could just go and tweak the game a bit to unlock gaul without conquering them.
Naaa I want to do it the fair way.

Avicenna

05-15-2006, 21:45

Take the simple route and complete a short Roman campaign to unlock all factions.

Lorenzo_H

05-16-2006, 11:21

Take the simple route and complete a short Roman campaign to unlock all factions.
So I've heard, but I am soon going to complete the real campaign. Will this also unlock all factions?

Ludens

05-17-2006, 12:26

What is the diference between scythed chariots and regular british chariots?
Well, for one thing: scythed ones can run amok. British won't: they rout like any ordinary unit. Otherwise, British generals and heavy chariots are pretty similar to scythed chariots, but the British light chariots are an excellent skirmisher unit, the western equivalent of the horse archer.

gardibolt

05-18-2006, 17:56

So I've heard, but I am soon going to complete the real campaign. Will this also unlock all factions?
All the unlockable factions, including Gaul; to get the nonplayable factions you'll have to do a mod.

Avicenna

05-21-2006, 21:08

@Craterus: If you're interested in a forum-wide mod, why not join the new PBeM led by econ, here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?p=1145957).

Dominii

05-28-2006, 19:28

Hi everyone, I've just started playing as Gaul in RTW and I've noticed that whilst all my other settlements are making money or have a + income, both Patavium and Mediolanum seem to be hemorraghing money with as much as -1200 a turn. Has anyone else had this and is there any way to fix it?

I'm currently not at war with anyone due to playing M/H but since I lowered my taxes to promote growth to get those lovely forrester warbands my economy has stunted so I'm slowly loosing a few 100 denarii a turn and not gaining any.

Is there any way to boost the income from both Alpine cities?

Dominii.

Ludens

05-29-2006, 00:12

IIRC Patavium and Mediolanum are the biggest cities of the Gauls. This means that they pay the lion's share of your unit and agent upkeep. The cost for supporting your units and agents is divided over the cities on a population basis, with the bigger cities paying the most. So these cities are not actually costing you money (no city ever does) and attempts to bring in more cash need not be limited to these cities.

The best way of making money in this game is by trade, especially sea trade. Ports should therefore be your first priority, followed by traders. Patavium is a real money spinner when developed. Do keep in mind though that there has to be something valuable in the province to make trade worthwile: check potential benefits in the city detail screen before deciding. A second option to gain more cash is by building farm upgrades, but I would stay clear of those except in provinces with a low growth rate. You cannot demolish them once built and in an already fast-growing city like Mediolanum this leads to massive squalor. The third option is obvious: get your best manager to manage you high income cities. Don't be guide by what is says on the campaign-map: go to the city detail to see which city is really making the most cash. Also, pay attention to traits and ancillaries: traders are more useful in Patavium than in Mediolanum. Lastly, see if you can reduce your expenses to army upkeep by disbanding a few useless units.

Welcome to the Org, BTW ~:wave: .

gardibolt

06-02-2006, 17:17

What Ludens said. Essentially, the numbers under each city are just an accounting figure and not anything to get concerned about. You're not actually losing money in that city. People=more tax income=more expense of armies allocated to them. On the whole, you're better off with more people, especially early in the game.

Dominii

06-06-2006, 01:30

Having read a few others posts on here, I thought I'd contribute with my Gaul campaign so far.....

Having taken all advice from Ludens and other posts on here, I started again on M/M with a few surprising results. Having captured the rebel provinces of Lugdunum, Massilia and Segestica and parked stacks on all the bridges in Northern Italy to deter the Julii I set about making trade agreements with the Britons, Germans, Spanish, Carthiginians, Roman Factions bar the Brutii and most of the other barbarian factions in northern Europe. That was in addition to dropping the taxes in Patavium and Mediolanum to get access to the forresters quicker. I spent the next few turns adding to the stacks on the bridges and training more units in Alesia for the inevitable attack by the brits.

By this point I'd allied with Rome, the Julii and the Scipii in the hopes of seeing off war for a bit longer, Spain to protect my border and Germania, Dacia and Thrace in order to create a barbarian alliance to combat and/or distract the Romans once they attacked. Then the strangest thing happened.......the Spanish attacked the Julii. Of course I had to side with the Romans as they were a more pressing concern on my southern border, and with the Spanish busy against the Romans they wouldn't cause me much concern. By now I had 2 3/4 full stacks on the bridges and another one hovering around Alesia as a deterrent against the strangely quiet Brits.

Using spies and diplomats, I saw the Julii's territory strangely devoid of troops so seized my chance, sent one stack to Segesta, one to Arinimum and one to Arretium. They all soon fell, bar Arinimum which the triple chevroned 1/2 stack SPQR army helped to relieve the siege of. I decided to fight them one army at a time. Suffice to say, the Senate army quickly folded against my army's warcry, druids and surprise appearance from hiding in the forest. This was greatly helped by them having to march all the way across the battlefield and up a steep hill to get to me. No more than a handful survived.

Having dealt with that threat, I laid siege to Arinimum again and had the 1/2 stack garrison vanish upon the sally turn. After exterminating the populace I set about retraining my troops ready for the assault on a now detrementally weakened Rome. At around this time the Britons declared war against Germany, but with not enough troops in that area, and a menacing Briton full stack hanging around Samarabrinova I decided against striking the British exposed backside.

Sending out a silver weaponed, triple bronze chevron, bronze armoured army of warbands, swordsmen, some barbarian cavalry and 6 forrester warbands against Rome, I had to retreat when I came under attack from two sides from beseiging their fort just south of the mountains south west or Arinimum. This allowed me to destroy the captained army that followed and attacked again. This left all but one Senate family members in the fort and just 3 units in Rome itself. After starving the fort into sallying, it was an absolute delight watching the forrester warbands tear apart the Romans before they even reached my line. I did suffer casualties as I had to attack into the fort due to the arrows running out. But with the fort gone, 4 out of 5 Senate family dead and only a small army left in Rome, it was a simple matter of beseiging the city with siege towers to send troops around capturing the towers which would be in my path to the square. Rome quickly fell.

I then retrained that army, and just in time as the Scipii had nicely recalled probably all their armies to Capua and decided to lay seige to Rome with one of them. Fortunately, I sallied forth, keeping my forresters on top of the walls to drive the Romans back (there's nothing better than gold weaponed forresters ~D ) By the time my army was deployed the chorus of retreat was heard and I sped my cavalry and fresh troops straight towards the retreat point of the enemy, cutting down half their army on the way. The same thing happened a few turns later. At last count, the Scipii have about 4 full stacks sat West of Capua, threatening any further expansion by my forces.

In the mean time, I had a diplomat make an Alliance with the Spanish to re-protect my borders there and discovered to my horror, a Julii captured Osca along with a full stack garrison. Unfortunately, the stupid Spanish had been sending weak and small detatchments of troops to try to recapture it, allowing even the town watch and peasants to gain units of valour. Raising an army urgently in Numantia I sent them to join with my other army of recruits from Lemonum, Narbo Martius, Massilia and Alesia. Unfortunately the Julii caught my small contingent sneaking North around Osca and proceeded to annihilate it, although fortunately my family member survived. Licking my wounds I retreated back to Numantia to continue raising a bigger army, in the meantime my large army of warbands and swordsmen parked themselves on the mountains north of Osca for a terrain bonus. Unfortunately, the Julii attacked in force with wardogs. I was pretty much thoroughly whooped as their generals tore through my left flank whilst my cavalry was busy supporting my right. They then proceeded to mop up the rest of my army and left me with only remnants of 1500 men.

Whilst this was going on, the Dacians decided they wanted a piece and promptly attacked me at Segestica, fortunately I re-loaded the game early enough to get a sizeable force up to help the seige, but it was too late. I lost the town but gained the advantage as I beseiged it immediately afterwards, trapping the Dacian king inside. I assaulted the next turn and annihilated the attacking army, killing their king. I've not seen any further signs of a fight in the mean time. Immediately after this the Brutii decided to show up to reclaim the Julii land and grab some glory for themselves. After despatching both armies they sent up, my current army is undergoing retraining in Patavium whilst the Brutii remnants sit in the mountain wondering what to do next.

As it stands now, I'm allied with Thrace, Spain and Britain (the Germans cancelled the alliance when Dacia attacked, allowing me to ally with the Brits), at war with all of Rome and Dacia and have trade rights and map information from almost everyone else. The Brutii have halted their expansion as they have to deal with me, this means they have Appolonia, Salona, Thessalonica and Byzantium, with a very powerful Greece controlling everything below that line. The Scipii have 4 armies camped outside Capua waiting for my next move and thanks to my failed attacks and the Spanish incompetence, the single Julii city which sits in my unprotected heartland has a full stack of experience troops just waiting for an opportunity, including a 2 silver chevroned wardog unit ~:eek:

I have another army marching from Numantia to try and take Osca with reinforcements from more experienced and better armoured units coming by land from Northern Italy. The Britons have taken Trier which gives me a nice buffer between myself and the Germans, should they decide to help the Dacians, and Thrace are at war with the Dacians thanks to my request. The Brutii have an army camped just at the edge of their territory west of Rome, unfortunately my Julii conquests are unprotected against such a force and they're a considerable source of worry.

I think my next step is to annihilate the Julii utterly in Osca, and train a few more armies in Northern Italy to take care of the Scipii (I've no money to bribe). Watch this space..........

Lorenzo_H

06-06-2006, 17:04

The Gauls are a very interesting faction. They are incredibly easy to destroy when you're fighting them, but they have some crack units like the Foresters and Chosen Swordsmen. I think they are cool, but not as good as the Britons.

Here is my Barbarian faction ranking:

1. Germania
2. Britons
3. Gaul
4. Scythia
5. Spain
6. The Rest
7. Dacia

Rome:Total Slayer

06-10-2006, 22:20

I found an easy way to take Rome with the Gauls.

First build a sacred grove to teutalis in Mediolonium and a meeting hall in Patavium as soon as possible

Second let the Julii have Segesta. They will leave a small force there and will annoy them when you attack it later. Get a stack of Fanatics and Swords plus a good general and take segesta.

Third make two more stacks of good units. One to guard the bridges and the other to get on the boats.(your going to need a fleet of at least 5 ships for saftey)

Keep beating the Crap out the julii and the Senate army will attack you. Retreat and stay close.

sail your army down to the opposite of Rome and march army to attack a small force in Rome and the senate is destroyed you can now conqer the rest of the Julii. make sure to keep a large garrison in Rome for the Scipii will come.

Lorenzo_H

06-12-2006, 10:22

The Gauls, after beating them with ease with the Julii, are quite fun to play!

Rome: Total Slayer, that is a good strategy but I prefer to wait until I have about loads of swordsmen (make the Hastatii choke) and Forester warbands. Also, I find War Hounds very effective!

IrishArmenian

06-19-2006, 15:30

Make sure to get forester warband. They are some of the best units avalable to the Gauls, and some of the best Western archers too.

Eagle Ranger

06-19-2006, 16:48

Yes forrester warbands are great and are probably the best archers in the early and middle parts the of the game. They can cut even roman units to pieces.

Severous

06-26-2006, 22:35

I had a little practice before starting my Gaul campaign.

The British faction heir has a big unit of chariots. But walking into hidden Gaul in a forest was not a good move by the AI. Warcries, druid chant, Gaul general blowing his horn and forest advantage is really pumping up the Gaul. Meanwhile the Brits are distraught with the number of enemy and surprised by emerging enemy. Lost 7 Gaul taking down the big chariot unit.

https://img67.imageshack.us/img67/4139/gaul11ok.th.jpg (https://img67.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gaul11ok.jpg)

I noticed that cavalry chasing routing chariots sufferred losses. Boo.

Any idea if the power for Druids chanting is influenced by the number of Druids ? Will full strength Druid chant the same as a weakened unit ?

Nepereta

08-30-2006, 10:20

Last night I had the most epic victory I have ever had in RTW. I had 3 warbands, 1 skirmisher, 2 generals and 2 barb cav vs the Rome monster stack in turn 5. It was actually an accident what happened was that I sieged rome because I couldn't see the SPQR monster stack any place. ( It must of been hiding in some woods). Any way the monster stack attacked me at rome and then I retreated and ended up in the roman port square. They attacked me again and I had no retreat option left so I had to fight or reload.

Ordering for battle I placed the warbands all in a tiny copse of woods in the corner of the map. ( PS I do not corner camp even in these dire situations, I 'forest' camp because thats where warbands rock).

I deployed my cav in a group a fair distance away on one side of the map.

Then began the giant roman horde heads towards my hidden warbands. I ordered my cav to the far side of the map intending to draw off enemies and take them piece meal with cav. 6 enemies followed my cav while the rest of the enemy headed in to fight my warbands.

As usual cav vs infantry I make them chase one unit then smash the rear. Then smash the new rear as the enemy turns rinse and repeat lost a few cav at this stage but managed to rout all 6 enemy units using lots of microing on the cav. By this time the enemy reached my warbands and started fighting them.

I realised there would be no chance for my warbands so I left them as they where and rested my cav on the other side of the map.

In the warband struggle in the woods the enemy general died in there by chance woods + spears give cav a nasty headache the enemy pelted my warbands with javalins and routed the lot. The enemy turned and headed to me.

It was a giant line of over 800-1000 + 4 enemy generals men vs about 100 veteran men so I sat still taking advantage of the rest to freshen my men.I identified a weak spot in the enemy line ( for some reason he deployed a straight line heading towards me guess he really wanted to catch my cav) It was a number of velite units. I smashed straight through the line and didn't stop I carried on going this time the 4 generals where on my case. Fortunately I managed to lead them all into rather messy ambushes. I was now down to perhaps 70 men. I then took the remnants of the enemy apart piece meal leaving one triarii till last lead him on a merry chase until my men freshened up significantly to take him in a massive rear charge. At the end I ahd perhaps 50 men. But I ahd killed all of the enemy bar about 40.

I do think from this experience there is a strong argument to take the SPQR army early on in the came if you know how to use cavalry well and have maintained a the 5 cav armies well that you started with. Leading armies on a merry chase resting and smashing them works wonders.

Roman_Man#3

08-30-2006, 16:41

sounds cool Nepereta, but one question. What difficulty level were you playing on? just wondering.

Severous

08-30-2006, 20:42

If you deploy the warbands fully in the trees they should be hidden. Rome should not march on hidden troops. Once the AI enemy is tired of chasing your visible cavalry thats when you lead them towards your hidden troops. Then as you say, combat in the woods will give combat advantages to your Gaul infantry..especialy against cavalry.

This was the big battle against SPQR in my current Gaul campaign.(vh/vh)
http://rtw.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=st&fn=10&tn=2381&st=9#post10

Nepereta

08-31-2006, 10:13

sounds cool Nepereta, but one question. What difficulty level were you playing on? just wondering.
It was just a short experiment on v hard(campaign) medium(combat). But since I beleive I have mostly got the combat AI bested I might crank things up in the combat department. FYI continuing from this point I had rome in turn 6. By turn 8 I have defeated most signficant forces on the italian penisula. Once rome wins I thinks its all straight forward. I find with most blitz strats you sucker punch the enemies nerby quick and you have more or less won.

Roman_Man#3

09-03-2006, 04:11

hey. started a gaul campaign, following nepereta's mention of "blitzing".

ITALIAN THEATRE:
i got all troops from patvium and field army of patavium and assaulted arretium. i sent my troops from mediolanium to segesta and took it. after that, i kept on sending my armies at rome, wittling down their army each time, and each time i lost only to retrain everyone at arretium. i finally had a full stack, and divied it up so half attacked ariminum and half attacked rome. won both cities and destroyed julii.

SPANISH THEATRE:
send the field army of narbo martius to osca. on the way, got balearics and spanish mercs, including some barb mercs. got the city, then moved onto Carthago. hoping to take the rest of the peninsula once my army has been restabilized.

NORTHERN/CENTRAL EUROPE THEATRE:

Sent the garrison of alesia to trier which i took. after a while and after some warbands had been trained at alesia, i sent 4+ a General to lugdunum. took it. taking massilia right now.

<foot note> once i unify europe under the banner of the Gauls, i will cross from the Iberian P into north africa, while simeultaniously invading greece.

once question though. i want to show you guys some screenshots, but dont know anything about it. could some one plz help?:help:

Nepereta

09-04-2006, 16:09

good show roman_man the only thing that bothers me about blitzing is the fact that I fight with what I have as opposed to what I'd like to have. I go in heavy with cav + infantry to hold. The fall of rome means chosen swords however I'd love to have forester warbands upgraded by an epnoba + abnoba temples. By the time I see those Romans will be a footnote of gauls history.

Guyus Germanicus

09-08-2006, 20:27

I had denigrated the barbarian factions in another post saying that I was not yet interested in playing them since they tended not to have good cavalry. [The Germans aren't that bad actually.] But I took the Gauls for a test drive this week. It has been a lot of fun. The Gauls, unfortunately, don't have as deep a tech tree as the other major factions, i.e., Carthage, Rome, Greek Cities, etc., but I haven't found this to be a real drawback as far as enjoying the campaign. They reach their best units sooner, and the barbarian cavalry can hold its own for the most part.

Of course, with Gaul your combat strategy tends to revolve around mass infantry attacks. You still have war dogs and cavalry. Economic development tends to progress more slowly. There are no public works building projects to speak of to help with squalor/public order issues. But it's been a kick. I have 35 regions subdued in my game so far. An army has just invaded Britain. I have two armies moving on the Greek peninsula. Spain, the Julii, Scipii, and Rome are caput. I own Numidian Tingi. The Germans are on the ropes, Dacia and Carthage seem cowed, and Macedonia is quiet. I have probably overexpanded my military, but I'm not in a serious cash bind. And since the tech tree is much reduced, I've already maxed out the development of some cities. It seems my cities tend to grow more slowly than when I'm playing the other factions. Don't know if that's my imagination or not.

I have found that I depend on mercenaries far less with the Gauls. Spearmen, wardogs, a few skirmishers and some flanking cavalry and I have a solid strike force for the most part. I defeated Rome/SPQR at a river crossing with mass infantry acting as a stopper at the ford. Then used barbarian cav to hit the flanks. I learned something, too, about fighting a large enemy infantry army in the forest. I pulled an Alexander tactic - I fanned my infantry out in a frontal assault on the enemy line to make a bow then charged 5-6 cavalry units into the center of their line. They broke and fragmented. It was then a mop up of the fragments. Lost a few wardogs in the process and took some heavy cavalry casualties, but it worked.

Gaul has been fun.

Guyus Germanicus

09-11-2006, 18:56

Finished my first Gallic campaign. Eliminated Germany and Britain and the Brutii. Conquered Corinth, and then Macedonia and Carthage decided I was too dangerous to leave alone so I ended up having to deal with them. I finished the game by taking the city of Carthage and a rebel city in eastern Europe. I am coming to believe holding Corinth is very important in any long campaign. It's not that you can't win the game without possessing Corinth. But it sure helps from a public order standpoint. Patavium was the only city that posed a serious public order problem. But after taking Corinth and then posting a highly influential faction member as governor, I got over the public order "hump" there. I've already started a new Gallic campaign. Guess I'm hooked on barbarians now. :help:

Orb

09-16-2006, 13:23

I'm trying a Gallic campaign at the moment with 1.6 .exe, night battles enabled and it's great. I'll be modding it a bit more to add a spearmen unit (since presently the warbands are no good as anti-cavalry) and probably a few fun traits for my next one.

whtdoesitmatta

05-13-2007, 18:27

Gaul is such an annoying faction. I started a campaign on m/m and have been quite successful at not dieing. I was quick to gather as many rebel cities as possible, but could not get Salona or Segesta in time. This includes me taking Ireland. I was slow in going to war with anyone, but when it hit I was fighting against all the romans, well not the scipii or the senate, I am also fighting both the brits and the Germans, which is a quite a difficult, because I never knocked the Britons off of the mainland. Instead, I have taken 2 of there 3 isle territories.
They also have no boats to ferry men to the mainland, but still have a flag and a half breathing down my neck. The germans are pesky little stacks, but still tough to fend off.

My main fighting is against the romans. I have just started making forester war bands in hopes of easing the conquering of the Italian peninsula. Oh yes I forgot to mention I quickly mopped up Osca and Carthago from the Spaniards and ceasefired with them. I am allied with Carthage and Greece, but the Brutii are not focusing on Thermon, and are attacking me instead.

Well I am certainly off to an odd start, and would like some advice on where to go.

Ludens

05-16-2007, 14:37

The A.I. gives priority to attacking the player above any other factions, so when you are playing a central faction like Gaul, you will always be at war with at least two factions. Personally, I would focus on establishing easily defendable borders with the Britons and the Germans. In your case, this probably means taking the remaining Briton towns. Germania is poor however, so it is not a good target, unless you can take out the Germans fast. A better option would be to establish a defendable front line and set up spies/watchtowers to preempt German attacks.

The Italian peninsula is rich, so the current owners can afford to send stack after stack of high-quality troops at you. Getting into a war of attrition with them is a bad idea. You need to take them out quickly. Don't be afraid of the exterminate button when taking their cities: you may not be able to spare the garrisons, and large populations are a bad idea for the barbarians anyway. From what I remember, Gaul foresters were not that good. I would recommend teching up to Noble Cavalry: before the Marian reforms the Romans don't have a proper counter to this unit, apart from their bodyguards.

whtdoesitmatta

05-16-2007, 23:47

Forresters were the ultimate range unit though..., and would it be wise to give up a certain profit to make a smaller border against the germans, and should I conquer the other side of spain?

Seamus Fermanagh

05-17-2007, 04:33

I agree that Gaul can be a bit vexing.

First, I agree with Ludens about Britain. Remove the Blue Stag Flag entirely from the game even if you have to give ground to the Romani for a year or three to do it. Payoffs:

1. British Isles do not normally get attacked by any non-Roman AI faction -- except Gaul. You have a very secure rear area.

2. British Isles, though slow developing, are among the richest Northern Barb provinces with natural port trade dichots in Ireland/Lancashire and London/Flanders -- quite lucrative for the Barbarian world.

3. No chariots to faff around with once they're done. This leaves you with no immediate opponents who have a natural counter to your cavalry -- Germany is in the same boat as you and Rome and Spain a notch behind.

Second, I'd reccomend launching a spoiler attack into Germany while defending against the Romans. Send in a tough stack, smash and loot as much as you can in 5 years or so and kill lots of Germans. Then fall back to the Rhine and defend the most of the crossings with forts and towers for visibility. Leave one bridge with no fort to be defended by an army -- this will draw the Germans, as they rebuild, into a series of frontal attacks on your bridge defense army -- and they will present a bunched and largely under-armored target for your forresters as they try to pound through your swords on your side of the bridge. Throw in a unit of druids to keep the sword lads "ki-d" up and you should have Germany on hold for quite some time.

Third, decision time.

Choice A = Build two armies and strike the Italian Peninsula (one from the North the other by Sea). As Ludens notes, DO NOT ATTRIT WITH THEM, Make any fight with them either them attacking you at a bridge or fighting with a city as the prize. Field action after field action will cause you to take too many casualties to do anything but slowly bleed while they get stronger. You'll win 24 out of 25 battles and still lose because the AI can afford to chum the waters until you run into debt and lose.

Choice B = Keep a defensive posture against the Romans as in the Second phase above and Hammer Spain. This is slower than going after Italy (distance and bad roads), and less lucrative, but it is the more "conservative" choice in that you should be able to best the Spanish and thus close another theatre of action more or less permanently (allowing you to concentrate). You'll also pick up nice trade money in the Spanish Riviera. Narrowing the front, for Gaul, is always an important consideration.

Fourth, do whichever Choice you didn't already do in Step Three.

Fifth, Defend Italy from Roman counterattacks -- the Romans tend to fixate on a city and you can make it a place to bleed them dry -- and conquer North Africa from whoever's holding it (Numida/Carthage/Scipii). Remember to be careful facing hefalumps -- they do inordinately well against your Northern barbs, especially on Sand. Leave (for now) a one province buffer between you and the Egyptians --even if it means letting the Scipii live.

Sixth, Conquer the Balearics, Sardinia, and Sicily if you haven't done so already. These all tend to interact well with the rest of the Western Med ports and you want a lucrative trading lake before taking on the Eggies or the Brutes (who'll probably own the Aegean by this point and be making a mint and constantly sending Romans to die at Tarentum and Patavium as you defend these two bastions).

You'll want to build up powerful armies to take Greece and or Egypt for the win. The Brutes will be Marian armies and the Eggies are always tough, so you'll need to train up. Take advantage of your position to purchase Balaerics, Merc Hoplites for defensive blocking forces, Numid cavalry for harassing, and a War Elephant if you can get them. This will refine your Barb army for the harder tasks of the end game.

Other than that, I can't think of anything.:smartass:

whtdoesitmatta

05-18-2007, 03:19

Yeah, i want to get to greece, It isn't that far in turn wise, and if I can get italy and sicily I'll just exterminate so imperial doesn't come. Ok, thanks, I really like the idea for dealing with briton and germany, and I am going to go straight down the Italian peninsula, 2 stacks, and just destroy cities, don't even hold them the first time through...

Seamus Fermanagh

05-18-2007, 12:20

whtdoesitmatta

05-19-2007, 01:32

I meant I was going to exterminate all those cities to push back the reforms, until I can take care of the Italians.

Roman_Man#3

05-19-2007, 03:16

If you have Italy, you don't have to worry about the Marian Reforms because the barbarians can't build to Huge City. So you don't really have to worry about it,

Good luck,
RM3

Severous

05-19-2007, 07:34

Stats from my completed Gaul campaign.

https://img102.imageshack.us/img102/4525/statsoh3.th.png (https://img102.imageshack.us/my.php?image=statsoh3.png)

Its a pity the victory movie was of Gauls dressed as Britons.
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/9348/gaul258s12dh0.th.jpg (https://img518.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gaul258s12dh0.jpg)

mrdun

08-28-2007, 16:10

How do you find out your stats? Is it something you compiled?

Severous

09-02-2007, 09:13

Hi. Yes those stats were captured on pen and paper as I went along. Then typed onto an excel spreadsheet and a pivot table gave me the summary tables shown above.

Took a lot of effort. So dont that level of detail in my current campaigns.

Revenant69

09-10-2007, 11:45

Well, I just finished my first Gaul campaign on H/H. It is the year 247 BC and all my enemies, well except Brutii who are reduced to one settlement, are crushed and lie six feet under.
FACTIONS ERADICATED: Spain, Britain, Germania, Julii, Scipii, SPQR, Macedon.
ALLIES: Dacia, Carthage

No, I'm not an agressive player, it's just that Gaul gets attacked by all his neighbours pretty much from the getgo. I'll try not to repeat the advice that was given by the previous posters. I'll just say that you need to use the strengths of Gallic armies (war cry, druid chant, advantage during the winter, forest advantage, amazing generals) and avoid their weaknesses (some poor provinces, lack of good cavalry support - although Barbarian Noble Cavalry does a decent job, especially after being trained in a city with a Sacred Circle of Epona).

All in all, I must say that, after unifying my lands, I got attacked by Spanish, British and Julii off the bat. Fight on three fronts was difficult, however, luckily the Germans did not attack me yet. British were pushed off the continent and then Vindex with half a stack was sent to conquer England, after which he became known as Vindex the Conqueror. Well, at the end of the game I had about 4 Conquerors, one of them being Conan the Conqueror :beam:

The war with Spain was the war of attrition - I couldn't afford to send a lot of troops to Spain as other theaters of war were more important. After being pushed off the continent, British were pushovers. Julii were promptly defeated after a few unsuccessful attacks on the bridges in northern italy near Patavium and Mediolanium. At this point Germania entered the war. Their Spear Warbands are a nightmare when all you have is swordsmen, skirmishers and warbands. However, it was a good practice in defeating the phalanx-like armies. I must say that Germans took a chunk out of me, kill ratios of 2 enemies for every one of my soldier were not uncommon, whereas against other factions my kill ratios are usually 5 - 10 to 1.

After I was able to train the Chosen Swordsmen, Forester Warbands, Barbarian Nobles - the game became easier. The good thing with Gaul is that you hit the top of the tech tree pretty soon, so settlement management becomes really easy. The usual late period army consisted of 6-8 Forester Warbands, 6 - 8 Chosen Swordsmen, 1 General and the rest - Barbarian Noble Cavalry.

All that practice against the Germans paid off when fighting the Macedonian phalangites. MAcedonians wiped out Thracians and were sitting with 7 or 8 stacks on my now expanded border. I called it the "Black Plague". Took me lots of turns to crush these armies - my supply lines were overextended as most troop production was concentrated in Italy.

CONCLUSION: A very fun and challenging faction to play. A definite must try for someone who hasn't played a Barbarian faction.

Ozzman1O1

09-23-2007, 14:05

y:yes: ou guys got it all wrong,take britain!send every armie to briatan,whipp there buts!then head south to rome and sicily,and if your crazy,then germany.

Ozzman1O1

09-23-2007, 14:17

im having trouble playing as gaul,julii and germania have full bannered armies and attacking samarobriva and massilia,so i think im going to have to wait on invading italy.:help:

Seamus Fermanagh

09-23-2007, 14:54

I've actually favored a two-prong "retreat" as Gaul. Conquer Spain and defend the Pyrenees (nice narrow front) and conquer the UK (which never seems to get counter-invaded. Loss of original provinces is not too bad.

Eventually, the Jollies and Krauts begin to tangle, and then you can push back.

I used to love it when you ended up with a province to defend in Asia Minor in some games -- always a hoot!

Ozzman1O1

09-23-2007, 17:49

english please:furious3:

Ozzman1O1

09-23-2007, 22:33

:thumbsdown: dude im telling you,you need to understand me,if you just do what i did,erase rome and sicily,my bad,then take spain,sail to caralis,capua,then at last...mighty rome,thats how you win as gauls:idea2:

silverhand

10-01-2007, 21:01

in my gaul campaign the first move is to destroy the julii as fast as you can, and then reunite your land. Create a solid fortress in center of spain. After you can train chosen swordsman head to rome and kill all those old bitches :whip:
dont worry about britons and germans they need time to train forces to crush you. Just focus on your southeast borders. after julii destroyed theres no threat in that regions and you can concentrate to dominate spain or that big island in north. i crushed julii in 4 turn just with two army full of warbands. i play on vh/h.

Ozzman1O1

10-02-2007, 20:11

i think repelling german invaders is esseintal to a gallic victory

Morgoth-NL

10-05-2007, 17:29

hello i am new here
i play a gaul campaign and i took italy but the rest of france is taken by the britons what can i do now shall i fight against the britons or shall i take greece

Abokasee

10-05-2007, 19:19

hello i am new here
i play a gaul campaign and i took italy but the rest of france is taken by the britons what can i do now shall i fight against the britons or shall i take greece

Booting the Britons off we be good, you need that money for a war with factions like greece, they all use phalanx, you don't, so Strongly suggest you take out the britons, and then germany, dacia, basically take out all the other barabarian factions, then start thundering down on thrace, then macedonia or Greeks (sometimes the greeks will do better than macedonia and elimate them, or the other way round) then smash out pontus, if Selucid hasnt already, once there out, it shouldnt be too dificult, with the exception of egpyt who you may want to get rid for certain, armenia won't be too hard, it should be easy from then on.

Ozzman1O1

10-05-2007, 20:01

im sorry to burst bubbles but i couldnt help point out that last post from the guy in the spartan avatar(sorry i didnt read your name) played as gaul(ancient france) and called gaul france.lol and confused:laugh4: :inquisitive:

mrdun

10-05-2007, 20:33

hello i am new here
i play a gaul campaign and i took italy but the rest of france is taken by the britons what can i do now shall i fight against the britons or shall i take greece

im sorry to burst bubbles but i couldnt help point out that last post from the guy in the spartan avatar(sorry i didnt read your name) played as gaul(ancient france) and called gaul france.lol and confused:laugh4: :inquisitive:

???

Morgoth-NL

10-05-2007, 21:51

Booting the Britons off we be good, you need that money for a war with factions like greece, they all use phalanx, you don't, so Strongly suggest you take out the britons, and then germany, dacia, basically take out all the other barabarian factions, then start thundering down on thrace, then macedonia or Greeks (sometimes the greeks will do better than macedonia and elimate them, or the other way round) then smash out pontus, if Selucid hasnt already, once there out, it shouldnt be too dificult, with the exception of egpyt who you may want to get rid for certain, armenia won't be too hard, it should be easy from then on.

thanks man i shall take the britons but i have much money because i take italy

ozzman i am sorry but i don't know what you try to say

Caius

10-06-2007, 04:38

thanks man i shall take the britons but i have much money because i take italy
Dont let the Greeks grow. Just take sure that you fight against both of them. Brittons are esential, because they will be good and powerful some day, and that will be a pain in your *insertpartofyourbody*

Morgoth-NL

10-06-2007, 09:28

ok but the only roman famaly who is alive is brutii and they are in greece so i think greece will soon be gone

Ozzman1O1

10-06-2007, 15:49

OK,i think after taking briton you should take spain,there units are defenslis against flaming arrows,and live in a very wealthy country,(whas that too hard to understand!):no:

Morgoth-NL

10-06-2007, 16:36

Ozzman1O1

10-07-2007, 02:02

now im confused.....:dizzy2: :dizzy2: :dizzy2:

mrdun

10-07-2007, 20:41

Ok.. Ozzman said that "Spartan Guy" said "Ancient France" not "Gaul" but Ozzman is wrong.

Let us get back on the topic of Gauls... thankyou.

Ozzman1O1

10-09-2007, 21:42

whatever,once you take rome,better yet before....you sould have a full bannerd army in capua(the capuans will attack rome if the senate loses it)I suggest using the family member eperodix to attack capua....hes a skilled roman turncoat,so oneless you whant to spend millions of denaria to take a city that you will lose....take capua first or instantly after rome.:charge:

Shieldmaiden

10-10-2007, 19:42

the capuans will attack rome if the senate loses it

Yes, assuming you've destroyed the Julii getting to Rome, you'll still have the Scipii in Capua and the Brutii (a little later usually) to worry about. This is why you should bring reinforcements to repelish your Rome siege loses.

I suggest using the family member eperodix to attack capua....hes a skilled roman turncoat,so oneless you whant to spend millions of denaria to take a city that you will lose

Lose? Um... a Roman Turncoat (+1 bonus to fighting Romans) is just a useful Ancillary. You'll find Ancilliaries are determined by what your General goes through and what you build, etc. If you lose because of a +1 bonus or lack of, your doing it wrong.

I find open Battles easier than city Battles using Gauls (and other Barbs), let the Romans sally forth and crush 'em :smash:

Ozzman1O1

10-10-2007, 20:56

When invading italy one thing you should do is never do is head into sicily and attack carthage,you should sail to greece instead and take sparta,with a character that has good TRAITS

Seamus Fermanagh

10-11-2007, 05:41

When invading italy one thing you should do is never do is head into sicily and attack carthage,you should sail to greece instead and take sparta,with a character that has good TRAITS

In general, Greece is more lucrative than Sicily, but after swallowing Italy, your money problems are probably over anyway.

Part of the directional decision depends on who's still playing. Greece and Macedon, in particular, are tough for a barbarian force to attack well. The walls of spears can give you fits unless you have lots of javelin troops. Remember, you don't really have much in the way of heavy cavalry, and lights do not fare well against spears even on the flank.

Ozzman1O1

10-11-2007, 21:03

well...im a specialist on attacking phalanxes,i have a lot of costum battles when i experiance how to kill them,buy mercinaries.....duh...

Shieldmaiden

10-12-2007, 17:15

In general, Greece is more lucrative than Sicily, but after swallowing Italy, your money problems are probably over anyway.

Part of the directional decision depends on who's still playing. Greece and Macedon, in particular, are tough for a barbarian force to attack well. The walls of spears can give you fits unless you have lots of javelin troops. Remember, you don't really have much in the way of heavy cavalry, and lights do not fare well against spears even on the flank.

I'd take Sicily before going East, simply due to it (usually) being Scipii controlled. Never let an enemy behind you!

Ozzman1O1

10-12-2007, 19:59

messana is fine,what i meant was dont wage war on carthage,if you destroy the scipii,carthage will become richer by invading spain,and that includes numantia!

gardibolt

10-16-2007, 20:36

By the time you're hitting the phalanx troops of Greece/Macedon, you should have control of Rome---which means Forester Warbands, which means pincushioned phalanx. Nothing like targets that intentionally move as slowly as possible.:smash: :smash:

Ozzman1O1

10-20-2007, 14:18

However,a few elephants from the south can take care of some foresters,but you shouldint have to worry about that

gardibolt

10-26-2007, 15:44

The range on foresters is enough that the elephants should be out of control long before they hit the Gallic lines.

Vitellus

10-28-2007, 05:56

Hm, just started a Gallic campaign tonight and it's proving a wee bit tricky.

As per my usual procedure, I didna read any of the advice here before I went in, so I started completely cold. Dunno if any of the following advice is repetitive or not, but I warrant there's some new information here.

The Alps inconveniently divide your empire into two right off the bat. Even once Massilia and Lugdunum fall (took a bit later in my game than I expected), Mediolanium and Patavium are both essentially isolated from outside reinforcement. With this in mind, and the fact that I knew how much of a juggernaught Roman factions tend to be if they're given time to develop, I decided on an aggressive strategy.

First turn, I gathered all my forces in northern Italy and put them in striking range of Arretium. The forces in France were gathered into two armies (one from the two southern provinces, one from the northern). I meant to link those up to make assaults on the rebel provinces, but circumstance meant that was impossible for the first few years. In the meantime, I started training another army at Alesia and one in Patavium, to deal with the Britons and to serve as reinforcements for the coming war with the Julii.

That war went surprisingly well. The Romans took Segesta first turn, as usual, nicely exposing their capital to me. Gallic hordes swept down behind them and snatched Arretium from their over-large noses. The Julii field army scrambled to deal with this incursion, most of it bypassing Arretium to the north to bolster the defenses around Ariminium. The faction leader, however, remained at Segesta, so I dispatched part of the army to take it and kill him. This mission done, I hurried back to Arretium, my forward base, and rebuilt the army and bolstered it with some swordsmen.

A year or so later, I advanced against the main field army, and in a series of battles drove them into Ariminium. The siege commenced, I reluctant to assault due to the large number of family members in the city and my lack of spearmen - with a massive SPQR army less than a turn's march to the south I didn't want to deal with large numbers of heavy cavalry and get my army mauled. I delayed too long, hwoever, and a Scipii diplomat appeared, offering alliance. It'd be nice to quiet the Roman front due to developments elsewhere, so I agreed, ending the first Romano-Gallic war.

Other fronts were faring less well. In Numantia, the garrison devastated a large Spanish stack sent to sack it, whilst around Narbo Martius my southern field army relieved a Spanish siege of the town and destroyed that, before marching east, rendezvousing with the northern field army (which had taken Lugdunum), and storming Massilia. I then turned and began marching for Osca.

As I fought through the mountain passes, disaster struck. I had trained yet another army in Numantia (my 5th sizable force), and had just marched it out to take the westernmost Spanish provinces. The very turn I marched it out, Numantia was attakced by a massive Carthaginian army that used war elephants to batter down the gates. The two warbands and general inside were unable to stem the white advance, and all of a sudden my field army was outnumbered and stranded in enemy territory. I hastily withdrew to a river crossing and have destroyed several Spanish armies from this position.

I couldna send reinforcements to the area, hwoever, as the Germans had declared war and marched on Lugdunum. A moderate-strength field army at Alesia, of maybe halfa dozen warbands, 3 swordsmen, and 2 barbarian cavalry units, plus a general, had just been completed, however, so I swung down on the Krauts' rear and destroyed them. While I was away, however, a massive British stack descended on Alesia.

It was here that the defensive system I had concieved of some years before proved its worth. Strapped for cash, I simply kept a few warbands in each province as a garrison, hoping to use them to quickly concentrate in an emergency. That's exactly what happened as the British attacked. 3 warbands from Condate Redonum, plus 2 from Lugdunum, the small army that had beat the Germans, and the Alesian garrison were all within reinforcement range of each other within a turn of the British attack. I immediately attacked, despite being outnumbered, hoping to drive them away from my capital.

I'm quite proud of that battle. Due to a misclick, I wound up only controlling 3 warbands, with a host of AI reinforcements, against the entire British army. I managed to use those 3, however, with brilliant effect, defeating personally 8 enemy warbands, a skirmisher warband, a light chariot unit, and the warlord - over half the army. This was done by staying tightly together and lots of swift movement - flanking two or three enemy warbands at a time, fading back when my own flanks were threatened, and exploiting whatever openings appeared. By the time the British were fleeing over the border, over half my little army was dead, but the main force hadn't even suffered.

Oh, and in the meantime a second war broke out in Italy and I exterminated the Julii after one last great field battle (they had rebuilt their army in the peacetime). That's where I stopped for the night and swung over here.

So, learn what lessons you will from this tale. I'll let y'all knwo how the wars go - they've only just begun, after all! Still have 5 Roman cities, 3 Spanish, and the Carthaginian Empire to fight!

Hound of Ulster

10-29-2007, 16:34

I recommend conceding the Po valley (Mediolandum etc) to the Julii and setting up two all cavalry armies around Massilia. As the pre-Marius Roman infantry (even Triarii) can't handle cav that well, you can fight a holding action with the Julii in southern Gaul while sending your better infantry into either Spain or Britannia. Don't try to fight against all three of your neighbors simultanously, though, as you will be sandwiched by Spainards and Julii. It becomes a whole differant ballgame when the Marian reforms kick in. As I never got that far with Gaul (re-installs, mods, life getting in the way) I really can't tell you how to take on the elite legions with Gaul.

Ozzman1O1

10-29-2007, 21:51

the po valley is a highley strategic spot,if you spot a forester warband just at the top of the valley,the roman cavalry and infantry will falter,weile a good charge with generals bodygaurd down the valley will do wonders also,and experienced warbands and samnnite mercenaries will make a ROCK SOLID line of defense...why did you you think Hannibal reccomended it?(just place your army very specificaly

Vitellus

11-01-2007, 04:21

I always hold, if I can help it.

I must report victory on all three fronts today! I only played for about an hour - all I had time for - so not much was achieved, except the destruction of two major enemy armies.

First, around Alesia, I resolved to kick the Britons off of the continent so I could fight a holding action against the Germans (I, perhaps unwisely, after playing so many civilized factions, hold no respect for barbarians, so I thought they'd be the easiest to hold). A near-full stack marched north after retraining from the great battle to my border. There, I was attacked by a second British full-stack.

The battle was easily won, however. I concealed both my flanks in forests, and held further units in ambush behind THOSE, so that as the British overlapped my outnumbered line, they found themselves flanked, and when they threw in the reserves to counter that, the reserves were flanked as welll. One heroic victory later, there are no more significant forces between me and Samorobrivia (whatever the British continental town is).

In Spain, one of my armies, marching to liberate Numantia after linking up with the one that escaped the city, was surprised by a Carthaginian force. It was perfect - the great Carthaginian army was split in two, one guarding Numantia, one that had just found my army. I immediatly moved the other army (which was on the other side of the city) up and besieged one force, isolating the other for my attentions.

The two armies were fairly evenly matched - their numerical superiority in cavalry (5 Rounshield units to 2 Barbarian and a General) being balanced by my superior infantry (Warbands and a few Swordsmen against Spanish mercs, Iberians, Townwatch, and Peasants). My cavalry hung back, simply covering my flanks as the infantry slammed into the enemy line, the superior quality of the Gallic warriors soon prevailing. The Roundshield units attempted to flank, but were forced to break off each time by a threatened counter-flank by one of my two cavarly units. In this way I neutralized their cavalry advantage and crushed the Carthaginian field force. Their five Roundshield units escaped, however, intact to Numantia.

Finally, in Italy, I combined my two armies into one full-stack, and defeated two seperate Brutii forces before they could unite into a full stack. Now they have one more full stack that stands between me and southern Italy. The plan is to flank Rome and eliminate its Brutii support in the south. The Scipii, oddly enough, are nuetral towards me and have broken their alliances with the Roman factions - I'll ignore Capua, if possible. Once Rome is cut off from land support, I'll come at that big ol' SPQR army with at least 2 stacks, if not more.

So, overall strategic plan is: Finish off the Carthaginians and Spanish in Iberia, securing that front. Drive the British off the mainland and hold against the Germans until Spain and Italy are settled. In Italy, drive south, and destroy the Brutii. No plans beyond that - I'll see how things develop.

Hound of Ulster

11-01-2007, 23:57

The reason I always conceded Northern Italy is because the terrain is not very defensiable and the fact the Gauls don't have very good units when the game starts. As Massilia is right at the entrance to Gaul from Italy via the Alps, and the pass is very narrow, all you have to do is hold the pass with fort full of good cav and have that stationary unit backed up by a wholly mobile cav unit and a large garrison in Massilia, to keep the Julii honest while you kick the tar out of Britiannia and Spain. Making alliances with Macedonia and the Greek Cities also helps too.

Vitellus

11-02-2007, 03:59

I dunno - the warband has proven most excellent so far. They absorb the shock of cavalry well, they can handle any infantry I've met so far, save hastati, and even hastati are always overwhelmed with numbers, so cheap are the warbands.

In any case, I, too, noted the difficulty of defending Northern Italy - all I had were a pair of bridges over the Po, and that would require stationing a fullstack army there, to fight off constant Roman invasions. I got around the problem of defense by siezing the initiative and forcing the Julii onto the defensive, and the results of that are listed above.

Didn't have a lot of time, but here are the results of about an hour of playing.

In Italy, there was little action, as the last Brutii full stack fell back towards Tarentum. I shadowed them closely with my own army, trying to entice them to battle on terms favorable to me - I ended every turn on a mountain slope, but so far they haven't taken the bait. Tarentum will be in sight soon, however, so they'll fight soon enough, I have no doubt.

In Britannia, Samorobrivia was heavily fortified with 4 family members and innumerable warbands, swordsmen, and slingers. I opened three breaches in the wall, sending in mercenaries through the leftmost, as bait, and swordsmen through the rightmost, to get a foothold and let my numbers flank and swamp the British. The gate, however, proved an oddity - two warbands sallied out as soon as it was destroyed. Despite quickly being outflanked by two of my own warbands, plus a pair of sword units, the British fought stubbornly, holding off my advance there for several minutes.

The mercenaries, going in on the left of the gate, predictably attracted a heavy response, being met with the full weight of the defenders. I sent a warband unit as reinforcements, to stiffen the merc's resolve, and further posted my general and a skirmisher unit just off the breach, pouring in rallies and javelins in equal measure. A massive, chaotic fight soon developed there, as they pushed me out of the breach, my units forced their way back in, and were in turn thrown out. Chariots, spearmen, horsemen, and swordsmen mixed in to a great morass, with no clear advantage to either side.

On the other side of the gate, however, my swordsmen, backed up with yet another warband, were slowly but surely hacking through the lone British warband blocking their way. It took longer than expected, but at last they broke, and I sent my 4 cavalry, plus my spare general, flooding into the city and into the rear of the gate defenders. They quickly crumbled, as well, and all unengaged units slammed into the back of the enormous brawl at the left breach. The British fought back briefly, then collapsed. Their 3 surviving generals (one had already died in the confusion) were killed one by one as they attemped to flee or rally the defenders, and my army pursued the still massive British force up the hill to the town square, where the survivors were surrounded and destroyed. It had been a tough battle, costing me nearly 20% of my army, but well worth the cost - my losses were all in easily retrainable warbands, while the British lost a third fullstack army and 4! family members.

Finally, in Spain, I liberated Numantia. Here, I had only built two rams, rather foolishly, against a city defended by a handful of infantry units, but 5 Roundshields, a general, and those Elephants! I attempted to lure the defenders to the breach in the wall, as usual, but the elephants were the only ones committed and slowly began chewing through my forces. An attempt to push a warband through the gate was met with the full weight of their cavalry. Frustruted by this first wave, I backed off.

This time, I led the charge on the Elephants with wardogs, followed by as many Warcried warbands as I could cram in, whilst a unit of swordsmen pinned down the cavalry at the gate. After hard fighting, the 4 surviving elephants fled back towards the town square, and my army swung into the flank of the gate defenders. The intact units made one last attempt at a stand at the square, but 2 amok elephants, plus 4 fresh barbarian cavalry units, ended those hopes.

So, results for today were 2 enemy stacks destroyed, one shadowed, 1 city retaken, 1 captured, and the British off the continent. I now have enough surplus funds each turn to begin developing my cities a lil' bit! An archery range is laid down in Patavium and in 4 turns I can churn out these fabled 'foresters' I've heard so much about!

Also, if you haven't noticed, I'm not too subtle or skilled at assaults. Meh.

Master Young Phoenix

11-02-2007, 16:25

Any faction facing the britons, and especially gaul because of the low morale of the warbands finds friends in assassins and skirmishers. Let assassins practice a bit on diplomats, spies and rebel captains/generals and then target briton family members. It takes out their best shock unit.

Gaul's main asset is their cavalry though, but don't ignore the warbands and swordsmen. You need something to pin your enemies so your horsemen can sweep round the flanks.

I'm absolutely against ceding any territory with any faction. What I did was this (I won't mention selling maps and trade rights, it's and obvious course of action):

- try to ally with all neighbouring factions. Especially the germans, if you can beat Briton incursions they'll remain your allies untill you need to attack them.

- Kick the britons out of samarobriva quickly and build a few ships to keep them from coming back.

- capture Lugudnum and massilia before the Germans do it (they will try, so use bribes) so you have a link to italy.

- Beat the Julii invading army (take position on the bridge, when they attack, use the ford to sweep around and attack them in the rear). And take either ariminum or arratium. That will keep them from mediolanium and patavium. Segesta is easy game as well

- make alesia and at least (one of) the Italian towns training locations at the start (especially build stables and practice ranges), fortify condate rendonum and make the rest economic.

- After you've beaten off the Britons and Julii, take over the whole of italy.

- Spain will attack you sooner or later, be prepared. make numamtia a generic settlement and you should be able to hold on to it. The spanish don't seem to want Narbo Martius as bad compared to what they do when you take it playing the julii. and Iberian infantry is inferior to your warbands.

When you have posession of the peninsulas (that is, Spain and Italy), Germany should begin to get troublesome. I've managed to massacre most of their armies, and after such defeats they seem inclined to accept ceasefires on your terms (Threaten them with attack and demand money and settlements... if they've taken Noricum, get that one).

I'm not really eager however, to destroy the germans and take their lands. I'd rather move into greece 'cause it's richer. I can keep them from my lands with military might or by taking batavodorum and trier and have them rebel.

Seamus Fermanagh

11-03-2007, 16:59

....I So, results for today were 2 enemy stacks destroyed, one shadowed, 1 city retaken, 1 captured, and the British off the continent. I now have enough surplus funds each turn to begin developing my cities a lil' bit! An archery range is laid down in Patavium and in 4 turns I can churn out these fabled 'foresters' I've heard so much about!

Also, if you haven't noticed, I'm not too subtle or skilled at assaults. Meh.

Actually, your tactics on siege assault are solid. Using a Barbarian-tech force against city walls, there are few (zero) ways to be subtle. Your choice -- open 2+ breaches for a little initial mis-direction and swamp them as they commit -- is the best approach available. Dogs are always a nice lead, since you send in the puppies but run the handlers to safety. In RTW, doggies are the ultimate missile weapon.

You have no fun at bridge defense, right now, because your units aren't suited to it. Holding a bridge with non-phalanx spears and no missile support is tough, and likely to kill more of you than of him even if it works. Get those forresters cranked up and try this:

Two warbands at 45deg angles forming a "V" at the end of the bridge -- open part of "V" faces the enemy. Have a couple/three of sword units close to support the warbands when it gets to the scrum.

Have 4-6 forrester units and 1-2 skirmishers positioned to shoot onto the bridge and far approaches -- do not use fire at will.

Send 3 units of doggies over the bridge attacking just as the enemy starts over.

Dogs form solid wall with all of the enemy packed onto the same small piece of bridge and ground at the far end. Target with forresters and shoot away. Most misses will hit something (and the doggies, being shorter, take few hits).
This dog wall will hold for 1-3 minutes, allowing you to really thin the opposing ranks.

When they finally engage, their cavalry should be pushing into your spears at slow speed :devilish: and you should be able to block the far end for a while. Your forresters and skirms should target the back of this formation so as to miss your guys, but still keep killing the bad 'uns.

As leaders go and casualties climb, they break. If there is a ford, your cavalry can cross after they break the dog line and commit to a frontal, and then you can ride up and attack their rear on the packed bridge. If there is no ford, you can still use the cavalry to kill routers as per usual.

Vitellus

11-06-2007, 04:16

More news from the front.

In Italy, my strategy of shadowing the Brutii army worked brilliantly. I was able to quickly get ahead of them and set up on a mountain between them and Tarentum. They gathered their forces and attacked my army, Gallic full stack against Brutii stack and a half.

The battle was little more than a massacre. Gallic forces held a high ridge, overlooking the green Romans. Their pila were useless, as, after struggling up the slope for fifteen minutes, the exhausted troopers were slammed into by a wave of screaming warriors, never giving them a chance to throw. Swordsmen quickly lapped around the Roman flanks, and their general attempted to save the situation by charging the Gallic center. He became bogged down in the warbands, then was countercharged by my own general once his momentum had disappated, along with 2 reserve units of swordsmen. It was also at this time that the 3 gallic cavalry units finished routing the Roman Equites and slammed into the rear of the Roman center. In a re-enactment of Cannae (40 years before Cannae), the Roman army was annihilated, save 3 equites and 2 generals that managed to escape to Tarentum.

The Brutii having no more major military forces visible (and I can see both their cities), I have besieged Tarentum. I shall storm it next turn and sweep on to Croton before the garrison can be built up, removing the second Roman family from the board.

In Gaul, a tough battle was fought at my capital. Whilst I was besieging Samarobrivia, the Germans sent a tiny stack at my near-undefended Alesia (I had stripped the garrison to supplement the numbers of the field army). I ignored it, gambling I could take the city and return to drive off the Krauts before they attacked.

I lost. The 2 spear warbands and 1 wardog unit assaulted the same turn I stormed the British city, being opposed by only my faction leader, and 48 bodyguards. I hit the first spear warband and the dogs at the gate, before they could get their phalanx up. Caught in close quarters, most switched to swords, and I wiped them out, losing 1/4 of my army in the process.

Now the captain and the last spear war band came in. I attempted the same manuever, but enough men made it through that the phalanx pushed my cavalry back. I escaped with barely 20 men. With no other option, I lured them deeper into the city, constantly teasing and circling them with my lone cavalry unit to pull them out of formation. At last, seizing an opportunity, I charged. 3, 4, 5 of my handful of bodyguards died in the impact, on German spears, but my desperate gamble had worked - the cavalry punched through the disorganized spearmen and got in amongst them, so they pulled out swords. After that, it was a simple hacking contest, my general's superior armor and hitpoints eventually prevailing against Germannic numbers. That army was wiped out and Alesia saved, though only 8 men survived of the 50 that started the battle.

Apparently the heavy fighting gave my faction leader a heart attack, for he perished of old age that winter, after celebrating his victory. Alesia was briefly ungarrisoned, but I was already rushing my army back from Samarobrivia and recruiting mroe defensive units. Close call.

In Iberia, no change, as my army continued retraining for an assault on Cordoba.

So, strategic projections for the next few turns:

One consistent problem plagues my army, that was demonstrated at Numantia nad with near disastrous consequences at Alesia: I don't have enough men. I only have 3 major field armies for 3 fronts, and each front has 2 enemies. This means I can choose either offense, or defense, not both. Either way, wherever my army is not, that is where the enemy is.

In Iberia, I marched the main army out of Numantia to crush the Spaniards, only to lose the city to a surprise Carthaginian assault.

In Gaul, I moved the field army to relieve Lugdunum from German siege. Alesia was attacked by the British. I marched back north, defeated them, and followed up the victory by an offensive. The Germans then attacked my rear at Alesia and were only just beaten.

In Italy, I have bypassed the Senate and am rampaging through Southern Italy, but my 4 major Italian cities are completely vulnerable to invasion, with only minor garrisons.

In short, I'm stretched so thinly that to have any offensive capability at all I must operate with virtually no defensive garrison. So, here's the situation, as I see it.

In Italy, I need to finish the Brutii swiftly, and then swing around back to the north of Rome. If the Scipii join in the war on me, and isolate me in southern Italy, I could lose all my northern Italian possessions. A move back to the other side would avoid this, and I could begin my assault on the city on the Tiber itself.

My plan for that is to use the Tiber river to lure the Senate army into open battle, where my superior numbers will have full weight. Once they are slaughtered at the river crossing, I can build up plenty of siege towers and take the walls of Rome with few casualties. If I attempt to lure the army away from the city and then steal the city, I think I will suffer heavy losses as I fight all those family members at the gates, losing men to horses, arrow fire, and boiling oil. Furthermore, on the narrow walls and in the streets superior Roman quality with have full advantage. No, I shall meet them in the open field, where I have the upper hand.

In Gaul, I debated taking the offensive against the Germans and driving them over the Rhine. I cannot yet, however - my rear is still vulnerable to the British, and any campaign against the Germans will inevitably uncover my coastal cities to Briton attack. My preferred solution would be to build a navy and lock them up on their island, but I can't afford one right now. Even if I COULD maintain a navy large enough for the task, it'd be ripped apart by the rampant piracy in the Channel and North Sea, and would be swiftly destroyed if I didn't keep investing denari into it. So, my plan is to use the field army as a mobile defensive force, swiftly concentrating to repel enemy incursions while I build up a second force for this front. I will then attack in both directions at once, landing on England and driving for the Germanic heartland.

This task will be made easier if I can free up the Iberian army. Here, I have the same defensive situation, but I face weaker opponents. The fight seems to have gone out of the Spanish after I took Osca and annihilated their field army. So, to take full advantage of this, I plan to march south on Corduba, and kick the Carthaginians out of Spain. From there, a detachment will strike to the east and take Carthago Nova, securing my rear in Iberia. The reunited army will then proceed to locate and destroy the Spaniard main army, while taking the final two cities as swiftly as possible.

With victory in Italy and Iberia, my problems will be over, as I finally get the income from some Mediterranean sea trade. I'll be able to afford a minor navy to take the island territories off Carthage's hands, and to shuttle a force into Britain. With that nation destroyed at last, all my foes will lie to the east and I can at last present a united front to them.

More next time.

Vitellus

11-09-2007, 02:12

Best laid plans often go amiss.

My plan to use my two field armies outside Italy as mobile defensive forces quickly fell apart. In Spain, a minor stack launched an attack on Osca. I quickly made for it with my main army, but while I was away, a second stack besieged Numantia! I did not expect such canny manuevering on the AI's part. That plan failed, as I had left sufficient troops behind to repel the Spanish assault, whilst the brown barbarians suffered another loss at Osca at the hands of my main army there. I marched back to Numantia and drove off another powerful Spanish stack, then quickly stormed Asturicas, relieving the pressure slightly. Couldn't rest my on my heels, however, as the next turn a full Carthaginian stack besieged Numantia yet again!

The Germans were even more clever. One army penetrated by border between Alesia and Lugdunum. I expected them to quickly strike one or the other, but instead they marched around the mountains on the other side of Lugdunum, approaching the city from the south. I destroyed them there, but I was now more than a full turn's move from Alesia.

While the army was away, TWO full German stacks besieged Samarobrivia and Alesia at the same time! I brought up my army at Alesia and attacked a turn before the rams were finished, but unfortunately my losses from the previous battle prevented a decisive win, as nearly half the German force escaped intact in what was essentially a drawn battle.

Meanwhile, I rushed all the reserves I had available - 4 warbands in Condate Redonum - to Samarobrivia. They arrived in the town square barely thirty seconds ahead of the advancing German hordes. The Germans, already tired after a sharp fight with the city's defenders at the walls, were surrounded by the reinforcements and destroyed, but my general died repelling them.

Finally, in Italy, the Scipii declared war and blocked my passage northward. I had reinforced my army with these Foresters, however, and now I fully agree with everyone who posted previously: Absolutley indispensable. I attacked the Scipii army full on, shooting them to pieces just before I swamped their lines of hastati with my warbands. When Chosen Swordsmen began to roll up their flanks, the entire army collapsed, and I must have killed more than a thousand routers. Two generals and some cavalry escaped into Capua, which fell the next turn. I now face only Rome on the peninsula.

Except for Greece. I got map information from the Hellenes a few turns ago or so. It turns out, with no Brutii pressure on their eastern flank, they can do quite well. They dominate the Balkans and own the entire Adriatic coast up to Patavium. That, apparently, was their next target. A Greek force besieged the city unexpectedly, taking it a mere turn before my hastily scraped-together relief force arrived. They barely had time to bar the gates, however, before my men kicked them back down, kicked the Greeks' asses, and then kicked them back out of town. I retrained what I could of the army, but another full stack is visible. They're a turn's march from the city, so I'm setting an ambush on the road to the north...

Analysis and revised strategy: Rome will soon no longer be a threat, and that will free up a full stack army to use against any one of my other three foes: Greece, Carthage/Spain, or Britain/Gaul. This is also my most advanced army, so I feel confident of victory wherever it goes. With another near-full stack army defending Venetia from Hellenic incursions, I feel reasonably safe on that front for now. However, hoplites are difficult foes while I have few Foresters, so I'm going to hold off attacking until I've built up a sizable force of them.

The Germans have proven an uncanny ability to come up with hordes of troops again and again, and have shown some strategic ability. Despite the danger to my home provinces, I have resolved to attack into Alemania - they have sent so many troops to die in Gallic fields that their garrisons must be weaker than mine! If I can seize the initiative there, I will be able to draw off what men they have remaining and protect my provinces indirectly that way. Britian has been contained by means of a watchtower across the straits of Dover - if they build any ships, I'll soon know about it and be ready to prepare a response.

Finally, Spain. With the fall of Asturicas, the Spanish have no remaining settlemetns near Numantia. Carthage is the main threat now. I shall march to Numantia and crush their field army between my own and the city's garrison. From there, it's an offensive south, to Corduba, before the garrison can be reinforced. Assuming I have met success thus far and there is little threat to my 3 Iberian territories, I'll march south along the coast and take Carthago Nova, as well. That means the final Spanish province, in the far north, will be able to threaten only 2 cities and can be easily held at no less than 3 river lines and several mountain passes. I don't intend to stay on the defensive for long, however. I want this frotn secured and the troops shifted elsewhere.

So, plans: Defensive in Venetia, offensive in Latium, Germania, and Iberia, with the intent of finally destroying these threats to Gallic indepedence once and for all!

Seamus Fermanagh

11-09-2007, 14:00

Germany is a long slog without two armies on two different axes of advance. I'd suggest a very slow "spoiler" offensive in that direction while you neutralize Spain and consolidate Italy. Upon completion, this will leave you better funded and in posession of more full stacks than threats. Glad you enjoy the Forresters.

Hound of Ulster

11-10-2007, 05:31

be careful not to spread your forces over too wide a front or too many fronts. I suggest signing a ceasefire with Germania once you defeat thier sieges.

Ozzman1O1

11-11-2007, 14:48

that couldint be said any clearer hounds of ulster.

but,i like to consider regions you control 'home bases' for regions your invading,like this...have a faction leader,a fule bannered army,and a ship from brittania(your home base on attacking germania)and sail to denmark,once you take that,germany will slowly crumble....

Vitellus

11-11-2007, 23:35

I've been trying to get those dirty Krauts to accept a ceasefire after I destroyed their first full-stack, about a decade ago or so. I've had a permanent diplomat outside Moganticium ever since.

In any case, it's not going to be a big offensive, as I can't leave myself open to the Limeys. My plan was to just mount a simple offensive at Trier. Taking that city protects Lugdunum, Alesia, AND Samorobrivia in one fell swoop. I can either burn it to the ground and use it for a buffer, or hold a line along the Rhine. Either way, it solves most of my problems.

Hound of Ulster

11-13-2007, 00:13

Leaving regions you conquer, in a chevauchee-style raid, and then abandon to the Rebels, as a buffer is a very wise move, because the main enemies of Gaul (Julii, Germania), while usually take thier sweet time taking these rebellious proviences, which gives you as the Gauls time to consalidate and, if needed, re-train, your forces.

The problem with Gaul is that the Julii are very aggresive even on the lower difficulty settings, which means you don't have much time to build up your forces before the Hasati and and Principes come in chucking thier pilum at you.

Vitellus

11-13-2007, 06:15

Victory! Victory on all fronts!

It's been a difficult 2 or 3 years, but the tide has turned now (permanently, I hope) to the side of Gallic arms.

In Italy, I marched my army across northern Latium, crossing the Tiber to the north of Rome. I'd march down the west side of it and besiege the city safely from there. However, the Senate army pursued me and attempted to force a river crossing. MY massive force wheeled about, lured the entire army to battle just above te ford, and then the other half slammed into their rear. Only 1 general escaped to bring news of the catastrophe to Rome. 2000 Romans died to about 50 Gaelic casualties, mostly in cheap warbands. Rome, virtually undefended, fell before the year was out.

Around Patavium, massive Greek stacks continued to besiege the city. Time and again they were destroyed by my Foresters sallying. Finally, I took the offensive and took Segestica, drawing off pressure from Patavium. From here I can hit the Greek stacks as they come up the coast from Salona, and if they besiege the city, my Foresters shoot 'em dead! I can hold here whilst I take the offensive on other fronts.

The war in Spain went well. One Carthaginian army was destroyed outside Numantia. When I arrived outside Corduba, it held a massive garrison of cavalry, plus another full-stack nearby. I withdrew a short distance, and the full stack attacked me, unsupported. I was outnumbered, but I used my superior infantry to force a hole in their line and then roll them up. Marching back to Corduba, I stormed the city, the Roundshields proving ineffective against my multitudes of infantry in the streets. Corduba fell, and the three remaining Carthaginian armies in Iberia evacuated for North Africa. I intend to send a diplomat to secure a ceasefire and trade rights.

Spain has provided no resistance. A minor stack besieged Osca, but were forced back in a sally battle. Their main field army (a pitiful quarter stack) remains encamped a short march to the south. However, to their rear, I've sent half of the army that took Corduba (the other half remained for policing and retraining) to take Carthago Nova from its pathetic garrison. I think the war in Iberia is safely over. I'll keep a full stack until Osca is taken, just in case, and then a minor garrison in Corduba in case Carthage feels like coming back.

It is in Gaul that the real war is, now. My planned offensive never materialized, as a powerful German assault hit Samorobrivia whilst I was relieving yet another siege at Lugdunum. That city fell, and a minor force slipped behind my lines to besiege Condate Redondum. I sallied against the 2 spear warbands with my 3 warbands and peasant unit, but was narrowly defeated - 1 spear warband can defeat 3 warbands, even when outflanked and hit from the rear! It disgusts me. The city fell.

With my military situation now resembling that of France's just prior to the Battle of the Marne in 1914, there came an abrupt reversal of my fortunes. Germanic armies were roving willy-nilly across northern Gaul, approachng Alesia from the west and north was well as the usual eastern attack. I had lost 2 cities and had 3 more threatened - all of the homeland, in fact.

However. I had finally raised a decent force in my rear, mostly of warbands, to chase off the 3 large rebel armies that had been blocking my trade routes for years. I got two generals out of these battles, and by the time the three rebels were destroyed (they'd been around for nearly a decade!), I had decent 3/4 stack perched just south of Condate Redonum, on the bridge there. I had a full stack barreling northwards from Alesia (sweeping east through German territory and destroying a few small armies on the way) to retake Samorobrivia, a second full stack IN Alesia, prepared to fight the Germans to the west, and finally, my elite Italian force just crossed the Alps and is bound for Trier. The next two or three years, if all goes well, will see the complete destruction of the German war machine and a final end to this long war.

Now, to do something about those dozen Grecian armies headed for my borders...

Ozzman1O1

11-14-2007, 23:49

take my advice,until you can make chosen swordsmen,FORGET about sicily

Vitellus

11-15-2007, 04:56

Oh, I'm churning out a goodly number of those in Italy, but I'm ignoring Sicily (which is completely Scipii territory, the last of the Roman Republic) until the Hellenes are destroyed.

Anyways, campaign update:

Iberia is quickly winding down. Carthago Nova fell after a brief fight, leaving the Spanish two scattered armies that I can see and 1 remaining settlement. I'm concentrating my 4 major forces in the area (one in Numantia, in Osca, in Corduba, and in Carthago Nova) to put a large field force to take the final settlement. It shall then sweep up remaining Spanish rebels if they're on trade routes and proceed to either Germany or Illyrium.

In Gaul, the Germans were caught completely flat-footed by my counteroffensive. 4 Gallic full-stacks (granted, two of them mostly warbands wtih a general attached) attacked north from Lemonum, west from Alesia, north from Alesia, and north from the Alps simultaneously. The Germans were spread out in a bunch of little stacks and proved no opposition, despite nearly equalling my numbers. Samorobrivia fell to my old field force, the German faction leader barely escaped the Alesian garrison with his life, his army in shambles around him, the Lemonum army destroyed or scattered about 5 stacks of 2-3 spear warbands and 2-3 screeching women each, and is besieging the last ten or so in Condate Redondum, oh, nad Trier fell in a single turn to the combination of spy + elite Italian force. With that battle, when Germans fell by the hundreds to Gallic arrows, all my losses over the past decade were avenged!

With German resistance crumbling everywhere, the plan is to swing my elites back over the Alps, to take the fight to the Greeks, whilst the Lemonum force supports my main field army as it moves into Germany, and the fullstack that WAS garrisoning Alesia at last invades Britain. I can finally guard myself AND attack on this front, after too long on the defensive.

The problem now lies in Venetia. Three Greek stacks came up and attacked. I met one in a field battle, but the victory there cost me nearly as many casualties as the Greeks - in more valuable swordsmen, too. I dare not face them in the open field again unless I have more room to manuever - keep getting pinned in forests and lose track of events.

One of the remaining stacks is now besieging my battered field army in Segestica, while the other is making hard for a weakly held-Patavium. Spies report more Greek stacks all marching northwest - Greece has no other enemies save Gaul.

Still, I have every confidence my elite force can turn the situation around. So far I've been fighting the Hellenes with the scrubs of my army (plus foresters), and winning. With good troops, who knows?

Seamus Fermanagh

11-15-2007, 21:14

Good strategy approach. Tactical suggestion against Greece.

Forresters work well against Greeks, but take a while to get through armored hoplites.

Concentrate your best cavalry into one force. Use forresters to thin the Greek cavalry. Then hit their cav with yours. Then use your cav against their missile troops (while avoiding the phalanx). Now your forresters can flank the hoplites (who are generally too slow) and shoot on the rear/non-shield flank. This will really thin them and let your swords go in at a numerical as well as h-t-h bonus advantage -- with a little judicious help from your wisely spear-shy cavalry.

Vitellus

11-21-2007, 02:11

A few more brief battles.

My barbarian offensive began today, as three armies rolled out north, north-east, and east against Britannia nad Germania. No contact with the Britons yet, but I expect that shall change - I'm not quite in sight of Londinium and they've had a solid decade or so to build since I kicked them out of Gaul.

Two battles were fought against Germania, however, one by my elite field force, recrossing the Alps, and one by my Alesian garrison-turned-army. Two moderate strength German armies were wiped out, including the German king. Moganticium is besieged, and my third force will be upon Damme in a turn or two.

In Iberia, my armies have all united and a full-stack is racing for the final Spanish settlement, hoping to arrive before a full-stack Spanish army I saw running around besieges one of my settlements. No battles.

It is in Italia that the heavy fighting is raging. I sallied against the Greeks besieging Segestica, but was unable to drive them off. My foresters killed a few, but with no cavalry I couldn't get behind the armored hoplites (70% of their force), and so it was mostly ineffective. My elite field army, the only reinforcements available, won't be in position for another 4 turns.

Finally, two brutal sieges were fought. In the first, a full Greek stack, though of lesser quality than the other, stormed Patavium, held by only 3 warbands, 2 skirmishers, and some foresters. The battle was long and fierce, as I was slowly pushed back through the streets, but in the end, I drove off the army. I had only 55 Foresters out of the entire force remaining at the end of the fighting.

With the heroic victory of Patavium bolstering me, I thought holding Segestica with my battered, weak army might be possible against the overwhelming numbers of heavily armored Hellenes. However, my men were dispersed in multiple small units, and so my attempt to hold the walls failed as they began routing too soon. I regrouped at the town square and attempted a second stand, but in the narrow streets, even outflanked and outnumbered the armored hoplites proved invincible. Segestica was retaken by the Greeks, who lost some 75% of their numbers. I will avenge myself once my main army arrives...

That was all I had time for. I think I'm nearing the end of this campaign - once Brittania, Germania, and Greece lose their empires, I should have the 50 settlements I need. It is currently the year 245 BC.

Ozzman1O1

11-24-2007, 15:46

i see your doing well on your campaigne vitellus,but.....:focus: i kind of want talk about evading and attacking germania.

have you noticed how britons are good fighting germania with chariots?(and very 'fond' of trier?)thats because germania baosts there ability to make a phalanxe barbarian unit and makes them frequently in there armys.thats what gaul has to do,by making alot of of barbarian cavalry to counter attack a german phalanxe or perhaps triarii,victory will be a certain possibility

Vitellus

11-26-2007, 03:44

Germania is crumbling fast - I have taken Trier, Moganticium, Batovorundum, and Damme with my two armies. They were merged into one army due to miscellaneous losses and garrison duties sapping my strength. The Germans, with their 3 remaining settlements, can muster one full stack to oppose me. n_n I sacked every settlement I took, so the entire region is depopulated.

Brittania is no more. I crushed their first full stack at a bridge outside of Londinium. Their last army was destroyed outside Eubaricum (canna spell), and the rest of the island was taken within the year. My modern, powerful forces simply cut through these barbarian armies like a hot knife through butter!

Same story in Spain. Destroyed their field army at a bridge, sacked their last settlement. I left the warbands in the Iberian army as garrison (and to clean up any rebels around), while the specialized units are headed for the coast. Carthage refuses to accept a ceasefire, so I've decided to begin a campaign against her island possessions, to improve my income.

Speaking of which, income is now nearly 10,000 denari a turn. I can easily construct armies where needed, build whatever I want -after so many long years close to the wire, it's an incredible luxury. I've used the excess funds to begin my plan for the ultimate destruction of the Greeks.

The plan is this: I'm still fighting around Segestica and Patavium. My elite army has wiped out close to 5 Greek full stacks, but there's no end in sight, and I've gained no ground. So, in southern Italy, I'm using those lovely Roman facilities to build a second elite army of Chosen Swordsmen, Foresters, and Noble Cavalry. This army will be ferried smartly across the Adriatic, to Corinth, if I can manage it (that's if the seas are relatively free of pirates and Greeks), or to Thermon if I'm nervous. Once I have an army lose in their rear, destroying their core cities, the Greek war effort will collapse, I'm confident.

With any luck, the next post will be my victory one! The end ot all these long wars is finally in sight...

Ozzman1O1

12-01-2007, 17:05

I hope if you took spain,you took palma so you could keep an eye on those carthaginians,and if your going into italy,you should take caralis so you could keep an eye on the civil war in sicily.

it took you that long to take brittania?(including hibernia,i hope)

Vitellus

12-03-2007, 00:02

The island fell extremely quickly...once I landed on it. I faced no real resistance other than the attacks outside Londinium. The delay was due to my resources being stretched incredibly thin by war on 3 fronts - I could only afford one army in Gaul, and I needed THAT to hold back the Germans. Italy has been Gallic territory for at least the past decade, while Sicily has been Scipii dominated for at least that long.

Both Palma nad Caralis are on my new hitlist, since Carthage has refused all my peace overtures. Havena played much since my last post, due to time constraints.

Quintus.JC

01-09-2008, 18:33

Northern Italy could be held if a meeting hall is constructed quickly, swordsmen will defeat Hastati. hold the bridge on the river Po. the AI rarely tries to get around it although somethings they does.

Good Ship Chuckle

01-22-2008, 02:03

Gaul is one of the better factions that I've played on H/VH (as in enjoyable).
Right at the beginning you have two options: Unite or Die.
Most would rather choose the former. To achieve this here is what I did.
Immediately create three distinct armies:
1)Fight off the Britons/Germans.
2)Fight off the Romans.
2.5)Fight off the Spainish/Carthage.
3) Take Massilia and Lugdunum.

As you can see resources are spread thin, and you must get the most bang for your buck. First on your priority list is to perfom the crucial marriage between Cisapine Gaul and Transalpine Gaul by taking Massilia. On every other front be on the defensive, unless a particularly juicy opportunity presents itself, such as the spanish leaving one unit as garrison in Osca. :tongue3:

As for the Romans I found that taking segesta made them confused for a good 4 years. But eventually they came, and came in force (as we all know). A system of forts allowed me to direct their every movement. Such that I took Arretium when there was a small garrison. That really took the wind out of their sails. :wry:

The Britons provided the most challenge for me, oddly enough. But luckily up in the north there you start out with Alesia (The Gaul's main powerhouse) and their faction leader which gives you a slight advantage. BTW, I got an alliance with the Germans for the first 10 years of the game, which served me well enough. It seems they were happy enough to go picking up rebel provinces in the east. After a long campaign of butt kicking in the north with the Brits and Germs I exiled the Germans to Domis Dulcis Domis (Home Sweet Home). BTW, the city being named Home Sweet Home in Latin definately makes me think the CA producers have a sence of humor.

I found the Spaniards to be quite the pushovers, and after a decisive bridge battle with the Carthiginians I was king of Iberia. I actually got Corduba before it became a minor city so I eventually turned it into a round settlement (I hate squares by the way). On then to Palma, Tingi, Cirta, and Caralis. I then had to give that army a break as I waited for the sack of Rome.

The Sack of Rome: Once I developed enough chosen swordsmen, and a couple Foresters-
[time out: I really was disappointed by the foresters. I've heard so much about them, but was phased a little when I found out that they took two turns to create. I was then shocked that they weren't much better than cretan archers. Maybe my expectations are too high. I never really found their ability to hide anywhere to be useful in battle either.]
-I knew it was time. I squashed the remaining pitiful Julii beneath the heel of my boot like a red bug. I then banged my blood-stained hand on the gates of Rome, only to be greeted by the pumpus Maxentius and his band of mongrels that were skulking in the countryside. Roman pride can be impressive, but all too predictable. Maxentius confronted me and rose his gladius high into the air and swung it down with all the might of Rome, but his gladius was stopped short by true Gallic steel. Sparks showered us both, and the battle of nations ensued. I'll admit Maxentius fought well....for a scared little boy. I attacked him right were he was most strong. I thrusted my sword into his shield directly, plunging through it and then feeling the familiar feeling of a Gallic steel sinking into roman flesh. He collapsed before onto his knees and begged for mercy. "Mercy" I chuckled to myself. Then I unremorsefully decapitated him and held his dismembered head aloft for the all the battling men to see. Upon seeing their general's head dripping in the hands of their worst nightmare, they all fled. Even the Triarii, who are held in such high esteem, fled like whipped curs. The few men that escaped my blade, arrived back in Rome only to announce that the entire population was to be slaughtered by the scourge of Jove. The sun of Rome was setting, and the age of Gaul was just beginning.

Needless to say, the conquest of Italy was a successful and went off with out a hitch. As you can see, a great beginning is what counts. Once you have united and established yourself, you become an unstoppable force, the likes of which have never been seen.
I hope you liked my gory dramatization of the battle with SPQR as much as I did.:wry:

mrdun

01-25-2008, 17:12

Sounded like an AAR rather than a guide :P

Good Ship Chuckle

01-25-2008, 21:53

It's actually more of a hybrid. It starts out giving advice, but then captures the imagination of the player with a AAR dramatization. Then concludes again with a tid-bit of advice. It's the perfect guide!

Good Ship Chuckle

01-30-2008, 02:26

For those that need to get a better understanding of my campaign I put the final screenshot online. It was the summer of 241 BC (not bad eh?), and was the perfect year to end my glorious campaign.
I personally found the gauls to be one of my favorite campaigns, they are difficult (H/VH) straight from the get-go. But led by the proper tactician, they can steamroll straight over the might of Rome, like a mushy cookie batter. mmmm...
I digress... Anyways, here is my screenshot. Comments please.:sombrero:

https://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7774/gaulendlx6.th.png (https://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gaulendlx6.png)

Vitellus

02-02-2008, 07:10

Your victory was much more rapid than my own, which wasn't secured until about 235 BC or so. I think the key was your alliance with Germania - that gave you a free hand to operate against Britannia. For my part, I spent most of the first two decades simply fighting off endless German attacks on my homelands - the Romans were never a threat after my lightning attack, and the Iberian front was hindered by a lack of troops to fight in all directions, so I expanded slowly there until I was able to build a covering force for Numantia.

I just remember, above all, the constant frustration of German attacks on that huge land border I had with them, forcing me to defend from the Channel all the way to the Alps.

Good Ship Chuckle

02-03-2008, 02:12

I should give alliance with germania much more credit. With the Gauls, the moment of crisis is crucial at the beginning. The alliance with germania definately cushioned the initial shock of fighting wars on all fronts.

The Wandering Scholar

02-08-2008, 22:56

what a blitzer eh?

Good Ship Chuckle

02-08-2008, 23:59

You shoud know me by now. Of course it was a blitzer.:tongue3:

Vitellus

02-09-2008, 07:23

As Gaul, I don't know if there is any other way TO play successfully. You have to act swiftly to eliminate one rival before the others all around you grow powerful enough to pose a threat. For me, it was the Romans, and their swift elimination meant I never had any trouble in Italy (before the damned Hellenic intervention), and the funds from the Italian cities allowed me to hold off the barbarian attacks in the north and the Punics/Iberians in Hispania long enough to gain a decisive advantage. GSC was even more successful, managing a non-aggression pact with Germania that allowed him to eliminate the Britons and secure his rear early on.

gollum

02-16-2010, 21:51

Indeed as Gaul, urgent action is required. Basically throwing everything at the Romans and taking them out before they get an Imperial palace (God forbids!).

I remember in the last gaul vanilla campaign i've played there were about 20 sites of "famous battles" scattered all over the Italian pen. - Obelix would have been proud :)

Alrik

02-13-2011, 12:17

Ok, I'm tackling this the second time through now. Both been on VH campaign and M battles.
I agree that as Gaul you have to be agressive and fast, you have a huge reign and plenty of borders, but no income. It is a priority thus to Stabalize your situation. what I did was barge north with everything in Alesia and kick the Britts into oblivion, this for two reasons, the first time around I had taken their mainland foothold, but had been required to station a huge garison there for most of the game, something that the gauls really can't afford. Killing the Britts thus leaves your back clear and you can have one army less, it also gives you access to a lot of coast and thus ports, giving you much needed income. So what I did this time, was not even taking a breather, but insantly jumping to Londinium and taking the battle there as a result I killed the last brit general by turn four leaving their last settlement to rebel.

similarly in the south, people say Gaul's territory is divided in two and that it's essential to unify it, but that's only half right, it's actually divided in three. Numantia is left totally surrounded and I read here people advising to garison it properly, again costly and again an army that does nothing, but sitt there waiting for the inevitable, I mean seriously you are in the smack middle of Spain's domain, what's he supposed to do? Ignore you? Don't think so, Empty Numantia and charge Osca, this will relieve the threat on Narbo Martius, if you challange Julii early on both these cities will then be left safe, the Carthinians have too many borders to guard to launch assaults all the way up here.
Continue the assult on Spain, Spain starts small and weak, use that, the sooner you exterminate him the easier time you will have, the issue here is Carthage, but he usually take a few turns to warm up, just like the Germans, before they do you should have Spain and Brittania well on their way to oblivion. With two fronts less you have less forces to waste your money on and ALL of the new territories are costal, which gives you what Gaul needs most, money.
Both times I left Julii alone, because I know he will attack, but it's easier to fight a defansive battle and he stats with a sizable army. While waiting for that I sent the forces around Narbo Martius to take Massilla and Lugdunum before going north to reinforce my German border.
The troops in northern Itally I sent to take the rebel settlements. Mediolanium north to take luvalum, then south again to handle Julii while the city spawns new toops to handle the Roman threat. Patavium going east to take Segestica and Aquincum.

Aquincum here is essential, taking it and walling it up quickly and placing a small garrison of four - five units will halt Dacia, who may linger for a while in your territory, but not attack unless you lessen the garrison, this is great and makes them go to war on the other front.

When Julii begins to move (it will only take a few turns) don't hesitate, just smash the bastard. The Senate might have a big army but it will just sit on the boarder and watch, there's no need to engage them if you don't want to. and if you do, make sure it's a bridge/ford battle. The Brutii though will eventually come up the eastern side of the Itallian pernisulae, they will also come north on the other side of the coast. I took Salona and have been keeping them busy in sieges there. He will at times send ships up as well, but unless one of the armies are allowed to march, then he troops on the boats wont come ashore.

After killing the Brits, Spain and julii, in that order I concentrated on Germany and pushing into North Africa, while getting my cities in Italy on their way to producing foresters. I did the same with Alesia, but by the time I managed to produce the first unit 256 BC My armies pushing east were sieging Lovosice and marching on Vicus Gothi, meaning there was a very long way to the front, so I'm not sure producing the units there was such a good investment.
After finishing up with the germans I with a somewhat strengthened garrison in Aquincum made a simultanious assult on most of Dacias settlements, which meant I killed him off in a couple of turns without having to face all of his forces, which proved lucky because my armies were apparently obsolete by this time, facing chosen archers and such isn't fun with first tier troops. Which made me consider waiting there before taking on Scythia, especially seeing as both Campus Lazyges and Porrolissum are big developed cities, which means you can produce good troops there.
However Scythia apparently didn't like to wait so that I could get forresters to tackle their horrible horse archers and moved in immidiatly and sieged Porrolissum, which now faces three nearly full stacks of Scythian troops. That's where I'm at, taken Rome in Italy, pushing with huge forester armies and slaughtering everything there (apparently I could build awesome temple of the Horse in Rome, so I'm doing that, Gold version of the game, no mods)
Have nearly taken out Numidia in the south, but now Carthage is moving huge stacks into the southern desert. (I'm having trouble making the damn cities there happy, which put a serious dent in my progress.) Trying to gather the rebel killing foresters in Spain and France to make a semi-force to take out Malta and head on to help out in North Africa.
Now is actually the first time I faced any real difficulty, first time I played the Imperial campaign with the Gauls, money was the problem, now getting real troops to the front is it., but then again 43 regions by 250 BC, is ok, with Gauls, right? It's probably about time I stopped blitzing.

hlemmur

05-18-2011, 18:58

An word of advice if you r playng the gauls.
2)ever played with egypt and tested those Pharaoh"s bowmens??no?what about against them?you did?and they were like super-wariors?gues what gaul has Forester Warband.Almost better.Develop a town quick so you can mass them early.

+1 Forester Warbands are good; Forester Warbands with 6 or more levels of experience are lethal - both at range and in melee; that's why I would recommend going after Albion as soon as you have connected your lands, partially to get some strategic depth, partially because they will stab you in the back anyway, but mainly to get those Forester Warbands plenty of experience fighting troops that are no better than yours

wugui

12-10-2011, 15:13

After many years i reinstalled RTW and decided to play as the Gauls. I only play VH/VH.

Havent finished yet but doing well so far. Exterminated Britania, juli and senate. Germania down to 2 towns and currently laying seige to both Bruti settlements in Italy. Its 252 bc. Havent used forresters and elite swords yet, only barb cav and swords.

In the first turns produced diplomats on all three fronts and got alliances with Germania, Spain, Carthago, Bruti and senate. Sold trade rights and map information to all except juli and Germania. Later in the game used diplomats to prevent wars by simply buying off any foreign army on my lands before they could declare war on me. With the Alesia army blitzed Britania and exterminated them. Narbo Martius army unified the country taking the two rebel settlements. Mediolanum and Patavium built for swords and cav (including temple and blacksmith). Stationed the Patavium army on the bridge. After getting three full stack armies mainly of swords and barb cav blitzed juli. With one stack sieged rome on the river passage tile. Defeated the senate army on this bridge battle. Most settlemenst i chose to occupy but the more far away ones, including rome i sacked.

Dont know but it seems the trick to win as Gauls is diplomacy, to prevent 3 front wars.

Ludens

12-10-2011, 16:28

Welcome (back?) to the .Org, Wugui ~:wave: . Sounds like you are having a fun game.

Vincent Butler

07-15-2014, 00:21

Is Numantia worth keeping, or should taking Spain be a priority. Obviously taking Italy is so you can eliminate Rome before Marius, and then spring into lucrative Greece. If you are astute in a battle, even Warband can be used against British Chariots. Forester Warband are awesome, too bad it takes so long to get to them. Warhounds will do well against Britannia or Germania, but not so much against Rome. Swordsmen should be the core of your army, with a Druid to help. It seems that swordsmen beat spearmen (excluding phalanx) in hand to hand combat. Just personal observation, definitely so on walls. Most elite units are swordsmen, only Rome and Carthage have good non-phalanx spear units (Auxilia, Triarii, and Libyan Spearmen are nothing to sneeze at). Naked Fanatics provide good shock infantry, and I believe are the same temple as Druids (Esus), though I could be wrong. Also, temple to Abnoba gives gold upgrade to missile weapons. Gaul's main problem is money, which taking Italy and Greece will solve.

These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. 2 Samuel 23:8 KJV

ReluctantSamurai

07-19-2014, 05:10

Is Numantia worth keeping, or should taking Spain be a priority.

Depends on where you locate your capital:shrug: I generally don't jump into N. Africa as Gaul...Italy becomes the primary target after Spain is conquered.

so you can eliminate Rome before Marius

If you are referring to the S.P.Q.R., then taking the city has no bearing on when Uncle Marius shows up...at least in my experience. I've taken the city with a Royal Palace intact (more than once) but no Marian Reforms had occurred. It's usually Carthage that drives the Reforms, and occasionally one of the Greek cities like Athens.

Never recruited a Druid unit, and can't see me ever doing so. Their stats are weak, the 32 man unit is too small, and I honestly don't see their benefits being better than 'War Cry':shrug:

Gaul's main problem is money, which taking Italy and Greece will solve.

Yep. But don't overlook the financial benefits of Spain....every province can have a port, and there's one or two mines to be had, as well.....

Vincent Butler

07-25-2014, 17:58

Yep. But don't overlook the financial benefits of Spain....every province can have a port, and there's one or two mines to be had, as well.....

Agreed. I think that was why I had to abandon my latest Briton campaign, when I should have gone after Italy and Spain, I went after Italy and Germania, suspending my war with Gaul so it was one less thing to worry about. Really, as a Barbarian, if you take over anything city or larger, it is a good idea to kill population growth right off the bat, you can't advance the city anyway. And is enslaving a totally different culture better or exterminating? I know the exterminating is good financially for the looting, but the city will take a while to recover. Just looking for advice on that, can probably apply it to my Greek campaign as well. As barbarians, the exterminating seems inviting because it is hard to make money, but that may not be the best choice.

ReluctantSamurai

07-25-2014, 20:47

Really, as a Barbarian, if you take over anything city or larger, it is a good idea to kill population growth right off the bat, you can't advance the city anyway. And is enslaving a totally different culture better or exterminating?

I play Germania alot, and the economic scenario is much the same. Germania has a legitimate "growth" temple in Freyja (so it's rare to need to enslave), and 12k rather than 24k is the maximum development level, so I generally exterminate to generate cash from looting, and to prevent tieing down my armies to garrison duty. With the added time cushion from exterminating, I can bring even potentially large cities like Corduba or Massilia under control with ZPG strategy. But if a city is close to the 12k mark, it's better to just capture it intact if you can. You may have to put up with several turns of riots, but eventually things will calm down and the final level of the governors building can be built.

The Greek Cities is a different kind of campaign with a different approach to economic development. You are dealing with large incomes (and expenditures), potentially very high population counts, and the need for a strong navy (as Germania, I build a very small fleet to cut off Britannia from the mainland, and not much else). So extermination is a less viable alternative in most instances.

williamsiddell

07-26-2014, 09:09

But if a city is close to the 12k mark, it's better to just capture it intact if you can. You may have to put up with several turns of riots

Because riots reduce population, in a case like above I'd immediately find a way to take the population over 12k (disbands or enslaves) so I can start the governor's building - and then allow riots if unavoidable.

Vincent Butler

07-26-2014, 18:20

12k rather than 24k is the maximum development level, so I generally exterminate to generate cash from looting

12K is the max? Upgrade to Large Town is 2000, upgrade to City is 6000, right? Barbarians can't do Large City, which goes at 12K. Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that 6000 is the max upgrade for barbarians, though I could be mistaken.

ReluctantSamurai

07-26-2014, 20:33

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that 6000 is the max upgrade for barbarians, though I could be mistaken

No, you are not mistaken....my bad:dizzy2: I guess the 12k sticks in my head because that's about where I achieve ZPG with most barbarian settlements.

williamsiddell

07-27-2014, 10:29

By barbarian I presume you mean Britons and Germans. How dare you call britons barbarians?

ReluctantSamurai

07-27-2014, 15:35

How dare you call britons barbarians?

~D

Brits and the donkey carts they call chariots...:rolleyes:

williamsiddell

07-27-2014, 18:20

I'll have you know the Brits didn't have donkeys til the Romans brought them. What did the Romans ever do for us, eh?

Vincent Butler

07-28-2014, 04:16

Taking heads as trophies sounds barbarian to me.~;) Talk about Barbarian, the Bible mentions that there is neither Jew nor Greek, Barbarian nor Scythian. There is barbarian, ie non-Greek, and then there is Scythian, really barbarian. Celts as a whole were barbarian. I am glad my ancestors were not barbarians, the Vikings.:clown:

williamsiddell

07-28-2014, 10:13

Taking heads as trophies sounds barbarian to me.

Well that's where you're wrong. Throwing heads - now that's barbarian :)

Scythian, really barbarian

If you had to wear a hat like like that, wouldn't you be in a permanent bad mood?

Celts as a whole were barbarian

I'm a Celt and I'm only mildly barbarian. Vincent the Red.

Vincent Butler

07-28-2014, 23:20

Well that's where you're wrong. Throwing heads - now that's barbarian :)

Pardon me. I guess something needs to be done with the heads, like putting them on a pike. That is civilized.~D

If you had to wear a hat like like that, wouldn't you be in a permanent bad mood?
I think it was more as much time as they spent on horseback. Ouch.

I'm a Celt and I'm only mildly barbarian. Vincent the Red.

Hey now, my brother is the red one.:rolleyes2: We have the Celts to thank in part for soap, don't we? Anyway, we came over to England with William the Conqueror, and rubbed shoulders with the monarchs after that. If the name Fitzwalter means anything to you, our line of Butlers descend directly from the Fitzwalters.

williamsiddell

07-29-2014, 07:41

Ha ha.

like putting them on a pike

That's where the guy who invented lollipops (or whatever Americans call them) got the idea.

We have the Celts to thank in part for soap

I've heard of soap but never use it.

Fitzwalter sounds like an Irish name. Vincent Bloodaxe.

Vincent Butler

07-29-2014, 17:09

Butler the Berserker. Fitzwalter means "Son of Walter", and the most famous of the Fitzwalters was probably Lady Marian Fitzwalter of Robin Hood lore. And we seem to have strayed from topic. Anyway, as Gaul (or Britannia), I used to fight most of my battles in the city, but I am thinking maybe that gives especially Rome an advantage, their units beat barbarians from the front, and they cannot be flanked in town. That is what you really want to do, flank them, so taking the battles out of the city might be better. At least in barbarian towns, you don't get the help of the walls decimating them either. I imagine if you take a city with stone walls, you can fight in city better, you can meet them on the walls instead of the ground, and your towers do more damage. As Germania, it probably still works in the city because of the phalanx.

williamsiddell

07-29-2014, 18:29

Here I go being mechanical again. I no longer fight at the walls in a city - I fortify the town centre (units may be permanently wavering but never rout). That means even if I lose I take more with me :) I'm not sure Gaul has a really good defensive unit though. Do they have wardogs? They come into their own in a city.

Vincent Butler

07-29-2014, 19:30

Do they have wardogs? They come into their own in a city.

As a phalanx I do not fight at the walls, as Rome I do, sometimes, it depends on a lot of variables. Large Roman/Greek city I always fight at the town center, letting my walls do most of the damage. Egyptian walls and cities stink for defense: Eastern/Egyptian gates cannot even fire inward. If there are Onagers present or more than one Siege Tower I defend at the town square.

I fortify the town centre
Town centre-takes me back to Age of Empires:pleased:.

Do they have wardogs?
Yes, I am pretty sure Gaul does have Wardogs, but Wardogs are useless against armoured units, and even worse against phalanx. Even standard swordsmen do fairly well against them, at least if that is all they are fighting. They do well against Warband, Peasants, Screeching Women, and such like, not so much against chariots, only good against Cataphracts for the humor of watching what Cataphracts do to them:laugh:, not great against cav as a whole.

williamsiddell

07-29-2014, 20:17

I am pretty sure Gaul does have Wardogs

Aye, in the field wardogs usually rout before the units they're supposed to scare.
But I remember assaulting a town, and wardogs charged out the newly opened gate and my ram unit just ran away :) Also in my current game I had two solid hoplite units properly arrayed for defence set up in the enemy town square. They were attacked by 3 wardog units. As far as I could tell the wardogs were permanently wavering, but it was the hoplites that eventually ran.

But the real problem is when it comes to auto-resolve of a siege. I don't think I've ever won an auto-resolve where the garrison includes wardogs.

ReluctantSamurai

07-29-2014, 20:25

only good against Cataphracts for the humor of watching what Cataphracts do to them

:laugh4:

Yep.....splat!

Vincent Butler

07-29-2014, 20:33

Aye, in the field wardogs usually rout before the units they're supposed to scare.
But I remember assaulting a town, and wardogs charged out the newly opened gate and my ram unit just ran away :) Also in my current game I had two solid hoplite units properly arrayed for defence set up in the enemy town square. They were attacked by 3 wardog units. As far as I could tell the wardogs were permanently wavering, but it was the hoplites that eventually ran.

But the real problem is when it comes to auto-resolve of a siege. I don't think I've ever won an auto-resolve where the garrison includes wardogs.

I have seen the ram unit rout in that situation, but it was against Britannia and Germania, so Warband and Spear Warband not in phalanx. I have never seen properly defensed phalanx lose to dogs, the dogs just impale themselves on the spears. Sometimes a dog or two will not die, same as happens with enemy units, just either turn the phalanx off guard mode or raise then immediately lower the spears.

williamsiddell

07-29-2014, 21:04

I have never seen properly defensed phalanx lose to dogs

Well I have! I didn't mess about with the formation - they just killed dogs (until the hoplites eventually ran). It's because enemy units don't rout on the town square.

williamsiddell

07-29-2014, 21:49

OK - you've forced me to think back. I'd taken Croton, Tarentum and Capua on the mainland so it must have been one of those three. I think it was the Tarentum siege mentioned elsewhere.

Early on I never have a large army - in this case 2 generals, 4 hoplites, a militia hoplite and a battered archer (all from Sicily). Inside the city was the faction leader, 2 hastati and 3 dogs.

I took some heavy losses early but destroyed the hastati then I did what I like to do if possible - I lure the enemy general to chase my general. So while they were playing hare and hound round the outskirts of the city I moved my 2 remaining hoplites up to the town square with the other general. When I got there one dog unit must have been heading after my general and the other 2 were at the opposite corner. I was able to line up my phalanx inside the town square with the general behind before the 2 dogs attacked and the third appeared at the far side.

They were all in action while I went to see how my general was doing elsewhere. When I came back the hoplites had bolted. I diverted my general to the square and attacked and defeated what was left of the dogs with my two generals before the enemy general appeared. It was touch and go but I won with not much of my army left :)

Vincent Butler

07-29-2014, 23:09

So the dogs did not hit your spears head on, were they able to hit your hoplites on the side? And what difficulty, I just started on M/M, so that may have something to do with it. By properly defensed I mean lined up barricading the entire street so nothing can hit them from the side, and (hopefully) it is only your men to the rear.

williamsiddell

07-29-2014, 23:53

Tarentum has a large square and my hoplites were across one corner while the dogs were coming from the opposite corner. Usually I wouldn't set up actually in the square (as you said across a street end), but I wanted to draw them to my phalanx. Mostly they attacked head on, but since there were 3 units, some would have overlapped the sides and maybe even got to the back. I wasn't watching when the rout started so I don't know.

Playing VH/VH - the AI seems a little smarter and definitely causes higher casualties.

If I were playing Gaul I would garrison with dogs because they seem hard to beat in auto-resolve sieges. So if the enemy performed an assault I would always auto against it in that case.

Vincent Butler

07-30-2014, 00:14

Right, you did mention you weren't watching, else you could have probably done something. It is the handlers who rout, the dogs live while their handler lives, unless they have been released, then I am not sure, I have seen dogs die on their own. I do not auto-resolve sieges, even if there is no way I can lose, because I like to entirely destroy the enemy army. The dogs target another unit once they have finished off one, so there is that. Realistically, I don't know how effective dogs would have been other than against peasants or untrained units, a unit of armed men could easily dispatch of a group of dogs. Also, would the dogs really distinguish between your men and theirs? That said, I may start training dogs for my war against Spain, I had not thought of that before. Then again, anything better than Iberian Infantry would own the dogs.

wooly_mammoth

05-01-2015, 19:00

^don't know when was the last time you stared down with an angry, angry dog but it's not pretty. :>

Anyway, by this time I am fairly certain that the playable factions in the campaign roster are ordered in the way of increasing difficulty, from the easy-peasy Julii to the pretty hardcore Gaul. I've read many insightful strategies on this topic, and for my M/M imperial campaign, after studying the initial conditions, I opted for:

a) total war against the Julii

b) total war against Spain

c) send the brits packing home

d) pray to Epona that nothing goes horribly, horribly wrong in between.

It's now 265 BC and I've taken Osca and Carthago Nova (+ a doomstack destroyed in Celtiberia, so Spain is pretty much dead). Belgium is well defended, the Julii are history and there's a really nice view of Italy from the walls of Rome. Memorable moments:

1. I met a much larger brittish force is Belgium, but it was broken in two. I had 4 warbands, my faction leader + a unit of light cav and a druid, against an initial army of two warbands, slingers, peasants and two units of chariot archers + reinforcements of warbands and heavy chariots. Luckily, the initial army camped in a forest, so I simply charged in, flanked with my general and caused a mass rout. Chariots move very slowly through forests, so they were easily bogged down and destroyed. I had enough time to hide my warbands, and the reinforcing army walked right into them. In conclusion, everyone died, I lost a maximum of 3 dudes lol.

2. I know from previous experience that sometimes, when landing armies in Italy, the Senate will decide to ruin your day so I did not risk heading straight from Arretium. Instead, my spy opened the gates of Segesta and I cornered about a third of the Julii army there, killing them with no casualties. I camped in the forest on the border of Etruria and managed to ambush another small Julii force. The next turn my spy managed to open the gates of Arretium, and I took down another third of the Julii forces with little losses. Being inside the city, I was fairly certain I could hold off the Senate army if they decided to siege. However, they didn't and next turn I met what was left of the Julii on a hill in Umbria. Killing the last of their royal blood meant that Ariminum rebelled and I was once again nervous that the Senate might march in while I besieged it, but it didn't happen. So, by the eve of 267 BC, one obstacle on the path to greatness was removed.

3. With 6 warbands, 4 swords, 3 units of light cav and 3 warlords I challenged the SPQR on a crossing of the Tiber. The SPQR had no less than five captains, well experienced principes, triarii, and a few units of velites in a full doomstack. Long story short, I managed to pull a perfect Cannae. There were two crossings on the battlefield, the SPQR crashed through one of them right into my boys and bent them into a crescent shape, but as they did that, I raced my light cav over the other crossing and slammed into their backs. It was beautiful, they fought to the last man in a kind of reversed Sambria (if I remember well this was the battle where a union of gallic tribes managed to surprise Caesar's camp, but ultimately ended up surrounded and instead of routing fought to the last man) and I lost about half my army. However, Rome is mine now, and the rest of the latins are pretty much dead (though the brutii may have a stack moving up the dalmatian coast).

I think I got things in control battle-wise, but I'm not sure how these guys will fair economically throughout the campaign. Their tech is very, very limited, agriculture and trade produce little revenue and taxing will be a major problem once cities become large. The plan is to conquer the whole of Italy and Spain, Sicily if need be to vanquish the Scipii, and then I'll head for Greece. Sometime in between I'll jump the channel and kill those brittish bastards too.

ReluctantSamurai

05-01-2015, 22:18

It pays to be aggressive with the Julii, in the long run. I've tried the tactic of being defensive using the two bridges in front of Mediolanium and Patavium while I overran Iberia, kicked the Brits off the mainland, and smacked Germania down to the point where they pose no real threat. It works but....it can get annoying and sometimes downright dicey fending off the Julii until I get to Chosen Swords, Forester Warbands, and the like.

I would say you got really lucky concerning the SPQR. Times that I've tried sacking Ariminum and Arretium, the SPQR reacted immediately to attack me...not a pretty sight early in the game:sweatdrop: and the main reason I usually opt to wait for better troops. But kudos for defeating them so early. Be aware that the composition of the SPQR doom-stack is level dependent. At VH/H (my usual setting), that stack will contain advanced Cohorts including Praetorian~:eek:

Economically, Gaul can do very well once you control all of Iberia with its' mines and port cities. You're right in assessing that farm income will not be very high, but port trading and mines will be your mainstay. In playing any barbarian faction, it's important to stabilize population growth once you hit 10-12k. It's not easy with the buildings available, but it can be done. I had screenies from some of my Gaul & Germania campaigns, but somehow they got 'lost' when I transferred my online account from ImageShack to PhotoBucket:wall:

Speaking of screenies...you should add some to your campaign AAR's. It's nice to see visually what's going on....

wooly_mammoth

05-15-2015, 23:34

Ok, here's a pic of Magna Gallia in the making, 15 years in.

http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/45378781460950437/2080A1B6DA5F93DB1037CD39B7677F7F24ADA632/

I find these guys to be pretty strong in the early game. Those swordsmen are beasts and their light cav is as good as any other light cav, or even slightly better. Fighting late game greece or egypt might be problematic, but until then it's easy sailing.

ReluctantSamurai

05-17-2015, 08:26

Those swordsmen are beasts and their light cav is as good as any other light cav, or even slightly better

Always liked the Chosen Swordsmen. But if/when you ever play Germania, you might not look back on playing any other barbarian faction. Even better infantry, and far superior cavalry, IMHO. Chosen Axmen, Zerkers, and Gothic Cavalry rule! Chosen Archers are amongst the elite in the game.

Nice screenie...With the Romans gone, you shouldn't have much problem with anyone else. I do find it strange that you've dipped into N Africa? I assume you're after Ellies:laugh4:

wooly_mammoth

05-17-2015, 10:32

The Scipii are holed up in Sardinia but I will take care of that very soon. The Brutii have some mudholes on the dalmatian coast and I'll probably have to deal with that as well since no one else seems interested.

I find it impossible to maintain good relations with neighboring factions. They will declare war sooner or later, and when I saw doomstacks pilling up in Corduba it was clear what had to be done. Also, I didn't fancy seeing war elephants and sacred bands churning out of Carthage in a couple of decades. I'm rather certain I don't have anything close to an adequate answer for that (maybe mass skirmisher/archer armies with a few units of heavy cav for decisive blows, but I'm really not accustomed to fighting like that; I'm a infantry man myself with a liking for cavarly support).

That aside, I had to declare war on Egypt when I landed in Africa because they had parked a fleet right in my way. Bastards :furious3:. I'm rather certain I don't have anything close to an adequate answer for elite egyptian armies + chariots either, but hopefuly they don't have any western ambitions. Keeping the germans at bay is a bit annoying because I have only light cav detachments up north and they make huge phalanx armies, but it's doable. Britannia is pretty much dead at this point and the dacians have suffered their first crushing defeats.

After North Africa is occupied I'll probably go for the Balkans.

ReluctantSamurai

05-17-2015, 17:14

maybe mass skirmisher/archer armies with a few units of heavy cav

You have access to one of the better skirmisher units available...Spanish Mercenaries. Basically Spain's Scutari unit. If you pull up the Carthage guide to where I posted a couple of my Carthage screenies, you'll see an army of War Ellies and Spanish mercs. These guys can stand up to moderate melee after they've expended their javelins, and that's their advantage over straight up skirmishers.

That aside, I had to declare war on Egypt when I landed in Africa because they had parked a fleet right in my way. Bastards

:bounce: The AI can be downright devious, at times....

wooly_mammoth

06-14-2015, 19:39

Well, I've been busy with other things but it's great to get back to the campaign. So, here's the current situation.

http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/43129702100539478/79B8AA08F31A4C97A1433A0BB1A317AAA405BC29/

I need 4 more cities to win but I am THROUGH with pacifying barbarians -.-

Those bastards have developed the perfect defense: keep all your towns level 1 mudholes and swarm the enemy with endless waves of dirt farming peasants. Bleah. It's been quite an adventure to establish the beachhead in Thermon though. The greeks have a MASSIVE fleet, I've never seen the AI build so many boats before. I wanted to get to Sparta initially but it was impossible with my rafts, so now I'm going to ferry armies in one go from Tarentum to Thermon and invade by land. It's nice to fight the greeks. They've got a slight infantry edge, but I've got plenty of troops to flank with since Foresters can also double as anticav infantry.

By the way, how do druids stack their chanting, if at all? Do 2 units give a bigger boost than 1?

ReluctantSamurai

06-15-2015, 04:36

By the way, how do druids stack their chanting, if at all?

Have no idea:shrug: I tried them the first few times through...didn't see any benefit that a good old-fashioned warcry won't bestow. Never used them again.

Vincent Butler

06-16-2015, 01:12

By the way, how do druids stack their chanting, if at all? Do 2 units give a bigger boost than 1?

It may depend on your difficulty, but it seems the enemy routs faster if you have druids chanting. Like, they rout as soon as they engage your troops. Bear in mind I have only played on E/E and M/M, with barbarians only on E/E, I believe. If you are concerned about realism, they are not a realistic unit, Druids were exempt from military service. That said, I always have a unit of Druids with my armies. The problem is, they require a specific temple, and in some places, it behooves one to have a different temple than the Druid one, Esus, if I remember correctly.

By the way, the Julii can upgrade the temples of Epona to Awesome Temple/Pantheion of Horse, as many Roman cavalry units adopted Epona as their patron deity. Pantheion starts your units trained there with two silver chevrons, Awesome Temple with one silver chevron. Something to keep in mind if you did not know that already and want to play as the Julii. I think that can only happen if it is a Sacred Circle when taken over.

wooly_mammoth

06-16-2015, 03:42

Vincent Butler

06-16-2015, 08:05

I've been playing the factions in the order listed in the roster (noticing the increasing difficulty pattern while at it :sweatdrop:) so the Julii campaign has been finished a long time ago.

In general, with regard to temple specific units, I do not mind that requirement for support troops such as druids, because they are less likely to get in the middle of the action anyway. It's the temple melee infantry that's problematic, I tend to avoid those units since I want to be able to retrain quickly the forces that take most of the heat.

As for gauls and temples, my default choice is Esus anyway if the province has a port, because the law bonus reduces corruption and helps maximize income from sea-trade. Otherwise it's an equal distribution of Epona and Abnoba. I avoid Teutakis since I find naked fanatics pretty useless and the extra chevron from Epona is certainly more valuable than the weapon upgrade from Teutakis.

Don't sim your battles, then, because your Druids will get involved and they will take casualties. Have you encountered Egypt yet? None of the Barbarian factions are really set up to fight Egypt. That should be interesting. Forester Warband should REALLY come in handy there.

I don't use Naked Fanatics either. They are a decent shock infantry, but I don't really use infantry for shock, that is what cavalry is for. My brother would field one or two with his armies as shock troops, but they are a specialized infantry and not to be used in the line. Even Warband aren't much good, because they rout too easily and demoralize your other troops. Great for garrison, though.

If I am in a port city, I use whatever maximizes trade, for temples. I don't remember Gaul's bonuses. I know not everybody has a temple that helps trade, I don't think Gaul does, correct me if I am wrong. I am compiling, if I ever get around to finishing, a spreadsheet with the information about every temple in the game.

ReluctantSamurai

06-16-2015, 08:56

I am compiling, if I ever get around to finishing, a spreadsheet with the information about every temple in the game.

It's been done already. Look in this topic:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?37949-Guide-to-Temples

Partway down is a link to an Excel d/l over at twc. I'm not a member there anymore, so I can't tell you if the link is still viable. If it's not, PM me with an email addy and I can send you both files.

And no, Gaul does not have any trade bonuses (or economy, for that matter) attached to any of its temples.

wooly_mammoth

06-16-2015, 15:36

Don't sim your battles, then, because your Druids will get involved and they will take casualties. Have you encountered Egypt yet? None of the Barbarian factions are really set up to fight Egypt. That should be interesting. Forester Warband should REALLY come in handy there.

The only battles I sometimes autoresolve are against rebel stacks if I'm attacking with specialized cav armies that have the sole purpose to wipe them out. However, due to the fact that I tend to keep these armies quite small and that autoresolve will score you victory only if you have an overwhelming stat advantage, I need to fight personally a lot of these as well. As for campaign battles it goes without saying that I never ever autoresolve, since I just take huge amount of casualties and kill very little of the enemy. Nothing like taking a 2% casualties percentage on your side and obliterating 100% of the enemy heh.

As for Egypt, I probably won't get to fight them since I'm so close to finishing the campaign, but I'm pretty sure the Gauls would slaughter them so bad it wouldn't even be funny. Chosen Swordsmen will destroy any and all of their infantry, while all of their support units are inferior to foresters. Pretty sure those bushwhackers can obliterate pharaoh's bowmen and even win in melee against any of their light cav or chariots with their spears. + they are ridiculously easy to retrain.

Vincent Butler

06-16-2015, 17:59

The only battles I sometimes autoresolve are against rebel stacks if I'm attacking with specialized cav armies that have the sole purpose to wipe them out. However, due to the fact that I tend to keep these armies quite small and that autoresolve will score you victory only if you have an overwhelming stat advantage, I need to fight personally a lot of these as well. As for campaign battles it goes without saying that I never ever autoresolve, since I just take huge amount of casualties and kill very little of the enemy. Nothing like taking a 2% casualties percentage on your side and obliterating 100% of the enemy heh.

As for Egypt, I probably won't get to fight them since I'm so close to finishing the campaign, but I'm pretty sure the Gauls would slaughter them so bad it wouldn't even be funny. Chosen Swordsmen will destroy any and all of their infantry, while all of their support units are inferior to foresters. Pretty sure those bushwhackers can obliterate pharaoh's bowmen and even win in melee against any of their light cav or chariots with their spears. + they are ridiculously easy to retrain.

I wouldn't count on Egypt being easy. You have nothing that gets a bonus vs cav, that I know of. Now chariots are not that hard to defeat, but your units are too light (not including Chosen Swordsmen) to really stand up to chariots. Now if you can prevent them from breaking up your Warband units, they could do OK, set the Warband to Guard mode, they might do better. Just experience dealing with Britain's chariots.
Pharoah's Bowmen have insane armour (for archers) and long range as well, so they would stand up to your Foresters. They are really the problem for me, the best counter is cav, who would then get wiped out by their chariots. Note, chariots get destroyed by elephants, so Elephant Mercenaries aren't a bad idea anyway. Lightly armoured units such as swordsmen would fall prey to their slingers. Chosen Swordsmen could handle any of their infantry, provided you flank their phalanx. I am sure that is what you do anyway with phalanx, as your units are not armoured enough to stand toe-to-toe with a phalanx. Your cav as Gaul is only mediocre to decent, but just as good at least as theirs.
Then again, I don't know the makeup of your armies. Personally, I would rather use my bowmen to wear down their phalanx. But I always find I have to shell their bowmen eventually. I have never tried a Barbarian vs Egypt, by the time I got over there with Britain the Scipii had already wiped Egypt out. I am sure I could devise some strategy, as I am sure you would too. Just curious, what difficulty are you playing on?

wooly_mammoth

06-16-2015, 18:30

Vincent Butler

06-16-2015, 19:30

I play on M/M. Anything else is too hardcore for me.

Also, it's good to know that anything vaguely resembling a pointy stick (including peasant's forks or forester's hunting spear) has a bonus vs. cavalry, even if it not listed in the "abilities at a glance" list. Even town watch or warbands are competent at holding off a cavalry charge, and you sure never ever charge directly into an infantry unit having pointy sticks for weapons, no matter low lowly they may seem. Now, just out of fun I tried a custom battle with foresters vs egyptian chariots. The chariots got completely obliterated, as I was expecting. A few volleys of arrows whittled their hp a bit, and then the spears kicked in.

Also, I just won the campaign. I Hopped a large cavalry force over in Thermon to keep garrison while I moved the main army and took Larissa. Sadly, I never got into a really serious fight with a greek doomstack. That would have been fun. As I was taking Larissa I also trudged through the forests and took the last german town (defended by their women hah). Some dacian guy defending by himself the final town that I needed died of old age, and I just walked in. Sweet victory. The dacians did try to offer some resistance in the field as I was advancing, so at least that was fun.

Germania is next.

Expect money problems with Germania.
Glad to see somebody else who plays on that level, it seems like everyone else plays on some combination of VH and H. I have yet to try harder than M/M, I have only completed Greek campaign on M/M. Then again, I play till I cover the map. Yeah, that takes a while. I usually have two or three campaigns current at a time. I have covered the map as Seleucia, Greece, Macedon, Julii, and Brutii. I usually get tired of one campaign after a while, so I start another one, and switch between the two when I get bored.

Forester Warband have good enough defense to handle a chariot charge, and good enough melee attack to defeat them. Like I said, those Pharoah's Bowmen are my main problem. They seem to wear down my Archer Auxilia if they want, and Archer Auxilia have decent defense for archers. Also, Egypt like Onagers. When you send your cav to deal with them, their chariots will own your cav.
I will hit Town Watch with heavy cav such as Legionary or even Roman Cav. Peasants are worthless enough not to bother about. Warband and Town Watch can hold in a battle line till the iron fist hits, whatever that may be. I hit them individually. On Guard mode, they receive the charge even better.
Are you aggressive in the battle or defensive? I am defensive, relying on heavy infantry to receive the enemy attack. Gaul is not going to be effective against Egypt like that. If you are aggressive, that may work better, so maybe it is just my fighting style that seems like Gaul would have problems with Egypt. I guess that would require playing the campaign, if my money supply can last long enough to get there, it usually does not. If I can make it into Greece, that should help.

wooly_mammoth

06-16-2015, 21:52

ReluctantSamurai

06-16-2015, 23:03

2 druids (bronze wep/armor)

Dunno why you would waste time and money on Druids. First, they are a 32-man unit (on normal size) with weak melee stats. Wasting two unit slots on a militarily weak unit is....well...silly. As a barbarian faction you already get Warcry which has a more immediate and predictable effect (besides giving a temporary boost to stats). Having a bunch of tree-huggers chanting and burning incense....well my Cataphracts would be laughing so hard they'd likely fall out of their saddles~D

If you liked Forester Warbands, you're going to looove Chosen Archers....the best, IMHO. And you're going to relish Germania's infantry, especially Bezerkers. And Germania has the best cavalry of all barbarian factions....Gothic Cav rule!

Expect money problems with Germania.

As with any barbarian faction. However, Germania has the Temple of Freyja to boost population growth. Used in every backwater town that isn't named Damme or Mogontiacum until such time as growth no longer is necessary.

it seems like everyone else plays on some combination of VH and H

VH on the campaign map isn't really that fearsome. It just means that enemy/rebel stacks will be of higher quality, at the start, and that brigands will actually do something besides stand around being fodder for your armies-in-training. They will sometimes band together (if you don't wipe out spawns immediately) and attack your cities. I found that refreshing and fun.

VH on the battle map is too much for me. The first time I lost after conducting a battle that I should have won, simply because the AI gets insane stat & moral boosts, I stopped playing VH for battles. Too much not having fun. I can have fun if I lose, but beat me because you had superior troops/tactics or because I made a mistake, not because the devs were too lazy to develop a better AI (play Shogun for an AI that is smart and is fully capable of kicking your ass without bonuses).

Vincent Butler

06-17-2015, 01:21

Onagers are completely useless against units. Just put your guys on loose formation and you'll lose something like 1 or 2 extremely unlucky dudes if the enemy has a full onager doomstack and you just sit back looking at the sky. If you have long ranged archers either focus fire the crews down (or use flaming arrows to burn the engines, but the former is usually faster), if not just close the distance and they are completely annihilated.

Now, the kind of gallic set-up I would use to invade Egypt would be:

1 general + 1 noble cav + 2 light cav (bronze wep/armor + 3 bronze chevrons from Epona)

8 chosen swordsmen (bronze wep/armor + 3 bronze chevrons from Epona)

6 forester warbands (bronze armor, gold weapon from Abnoba)

2 druids (bronze wep/armor)

I'm pretty sure I can beat any AI Egyptian army with this. However, I am very certain I could not beat my ideal Egyptian set-up:

1 general + 3 heavy chariots (gold wep/armor)

8 pharaoh's guard (gold wep/armor)

4 pharaoh's bowmen (gold armor)

4 chariot archers (gold armor)

+ combat bonus in deserts for all those bastards.

Will try a custom battle for fun on medium difficulty, but I think the sheer technological advantage + insane number of chariots makes it impossible. However, I've never seen the AI tech-up so much and create such an army. Pharaoh was still shuffling nubians around when I was winning the imperial campaign.

Sounds decent. I might go with two Noble cav and one Barbarian cav. One Druid for me. RS, I think their melee stats are actually decent, but I may be wrong. Also, Wooly, what are their hit points, one or two? Yeah, forget the Warband (except as missile fodder, if you do that, I don't) and even regular swordsmen. You need armour when facing Egypt. Kind of an expensive army. But by the time you are over there, you should be doing better for money anyway, if you go through the Balkans/Turkey.
If an Onager with flaming missiles hits your troops, it is a lot more devastating. Less accurate, though, but if they do land a hit it counts for more. I like to counter Onagers with Onagers, if fighting Egypt. The problem with siege engines, it is one more thing to watch out for them trying to hit. I actually put my siege up front, then move my units in front of them when the enemy gets close.

ReluctantSamurai

06-17-2015, 02:35

RS, I think their melee stats are actually decent, but I may be wrong.

Let me put it another way...on normal unit size, a 32-man Druid unit costs 490 denarii (90 upkeep) for 13/14 attk/def and takes two turns to train. An 81-man Chosen Swords costs 680 denarii (210 upkeep) for 13/17 attk/def and takes only a single turn to train. The only difference between the two, other than defensive capability, and cost, is the Druid Chant. Considering what a well-timed Warcry does for a temp morale and stat boost, is a single Druid unit really worth more than twice a Chosen Swords unit? Not to me, at least, which is why I consider them a waste of money. Also, you need a specialized temple to train (or re-train) Druids which can be a pain for a fast-moving offensive.

what are their hit points, one or two

One.

Vincent Butler

06-17-2015, 04:32

Let me put it another way...on normal unit size, a 32-man Druid unit costs 490 denarii (90 upkeep) for 13/14 attk/def and takes two turns to train. An 81-man Chosen Swords costs 680 denarii (210 upkeep) for 13/17 attk/def and takes only a single turn to train. The only difference between the two, other than defensive capability, and cost, is the Druid Chant. Considering what a well-timed Warcry does for a temp morale and stat boost, is a single Druid unit really worth more than twice a Chosen Swords unit? Not to me, at least, which is why I consider them a waste of money. Also, you need a specialized temple to train (or re-train) Druids which can be a pain for a fast-moving offensive.

One.

OK, but as Wooly pointed out, they are not a combat unit. Of course, it is up to whoever makes the army to decide what they want. It seems that the chanting more intimidates the enemy than helps your own troops out. At least, that has been my experience. The temple thing is more of a problem, I agree on that.

wooly_mammoth

06-17-2015, 06:52

I like druids for the added swag. ~D

They are a nice unit to have around and make the army a bit more diverse. Not that I ever got a chance to use them in a serious battle in the campaign, I only got to have 3 such units around, the one you start with and 2 which I ferried to Greece, but who never saw a really major battle. Not sure if that chant actually does something, though. :laugh4: Maybe I'll get another chance to test them out with Britannia.

ReluctantSamurai

06-17-2015, 10:07

OK, but as Wooly pointed out, they are not a combat unit.

who never saw a really major battle. Not sure if that chant actually does something, though.

Alright....last attempt~D A 'non-combat unit' who 'never saw a really major battle' is one you might afford at normal difficulty (and even at that you got lucky that you were never really pressed hard by a multi-stack attack). At the next lvl of difficulty you will more than likely wish you had a couple of Chosen Swords when facing a doom-stack attack by elite Roman cohorts who will impale that "added swag" on the points of their pilum just before they cut you into little pieces. I would rather depend on a known tactic, Warcry, that works 100% of the time, than an iffy tactic that depends on poor morale and poor leadership on your enemy's part.

It seems that the chanting more intimidates the enemy than helps your own troops out

Not sure if that chant actually does something, though.

"That chant" will have no effect on seasoned veterans led by a good general. You are better off with Warcry....but whatever floats your boat:rolleyes:

It may depend on your difficulty, but it seems the enemy routs faster if you have druids chanting. played...with barbarians only on E/E

And on E/E is the rub, mate~;) You are already getting a +4 to unit morale and attack rating [Easy=+4 morale/attk to the player; Medium=no bonus either side; Hard=+4 morale/attk for AI; Very Hard=+7 morale/attk for AI]. But let me ask something else...as Britannia or Gaul you've had to deal with Germania and those ultra-silly Screeching Women, which are basically Druids with weaker stats. Did their "hag-nagging" screech ever cause any of your troops to rout? Probably not because your troops were seasoned and led by, at the least, a decent general. So why would you expect chanting to work when the situation is reversed?

ReluctantSamurai

06-17-2015, 12:22

I play on M/M. Anything else is too hardcore for me.

I'm going to predict that at some point you will get bored with winning as easily as you appear to be, and crank up one or both difficulty settings. That's the route I went, and the one a lot of other players did, as well.

This is a good discussion on the effects of difficulty settings:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?47378-Research-Battle-Difficulty

And to amend my earlier comments about campaign map settings...the higher the difficulty, the greater the penalty on income. IIRC, the range is +15% to -15% (Easy to Very Hard) but I'd have to check on that.

Vincent Butler

06-17-2015, 18:08

Alright....last attempt~D A 'non-combat unit' who 'never saw a really major battle' is one you might afford at normal difficulty (and even at that you got lucky that you were never really pressed hard by a multi-stack attack). At the next lvl of difficulty you will more than likely wish you had a couple of Chosen Swords when facing a doom-stack attack by elite Roman cohorts who will impale that "added swag" on the points of their pilum just before they cut you into little pieces. I would rather depend on a known tactic, Warcry, that works 100% of the time, than an iffy tactic that depends on poor morale and poor leadership on your enemy's part.

"That chant" will have no effect on seasoned veterans led by a good general. You are better off with Warcry....but whatever floats your boat:rolleyes:

And on E/E is the rub, mate~;) You are already getting a +4 to unit morale and attack rating [Easy=+4 morale/attk to the player; Medium=no bonus either side; Hard=+4 morale/attk for AI; Very Hard=+7 morale/attk for AI]. But let me ask something else...as Britannia or Gaul you've had to deal with Germania and those ultra-silly Screeching Women, which are basically Druids with weaker stats. Did their "hag-nagging" screech ever cause any of your troops to rout? Probably not because your troops were seasoned and led by, at the least, a decent general. So why would you expect chanting to work when the situation is reversed?

OK, I did not know the differences in all the difficulties. I use Warcry as well, but it wears off, Druids can keep chanting. I fight defensively, so I let the enemy come to me, usually. I don't know how many times I have done a Warcry, and they attacked only when my guys were almost done. Anyway, I think enough said on that. Yeah, I don't use Screeching Women. I don't like the idea of sending women to combat, so that carries over into my gaming.

ReluctantSamurai

06-17-2015, 18:46

I fight defensively, so I let the enemy come to me, usually.

Like I said....whatever floats your boat~;)

Here's a situation...in my last Germania campaign I was attacked by two full Britannia stacks, one from the front, the other from the rear (doesn't matter how good you think you are, the AI can pull a concealed stack out its hat sometimes). The only stack I had spotted was the one in front of me and true to RTW's screwy way of determining battle map starting positions despite what the campaign map looks like, I was at the south end of a north-bound kangaroo. I know it's Germania, but Screeching Women is their equivalent to Druids.

Two choices...retreat and live to fight another day (don't remember the odds but a betting man would have wagered the farm against me), or fight. I'm not a betting man so fight it is:stare:

I put everyone including archers into melee mode (with Chosen Archers that's just like having another melee unit) and charge up the hill to take out the first army before the second can catch my tail. I manage to rout that army with moderate losses, regroup, and turn to face the second army which is just reaching the bottom of the hill. After a protracted fight, what's left of them retreat...I don't pursue because my guys are dead tired. Historical marker left on the field of battle.

The point of this long-winded description is that "chanters" would have been a liability due to lower combat skills, and the lack of time to use their special. I am usually the aggressor when it comes to battles, except when facing multiple-multiple stacks. Chanters are of little or no use.

I use Warcry as well, but it wears off, Druids can keep chanting.

True enough, but Warcry works 100% of the time...chanting requires the enemy to have low morale which might occur early in a campaign (depending on who you are facing) but mid to high level troops will have good morale and even better with a competent general at the head. And chanters can't do anything else or benefit disappears. Now if you can afford having one or two units standing around doing nothing but their "Om-Mani-Padme" thing, then you really need to crank up the difficulty slider. I can just imagine what the troops in that SPQR doom-stack defending Rome might think when they see Druids in an approaching Gallic army....they'd be peeing themselves from laughing so hard~D

I don't like the idea of sending women to combat, so that carries over into my gaming.

Then don't play Scythia:boxedin: They have two female units...Head-Hunting Maidens (a very good light cavalry unit with AP capabilities), and Scythian Noble Women (a horse archer unit with good enough attk/def stats to melee).

And definitely, Amazon Total War won't be your thing, either:laugh4:

wooly_mammoth

06-17-2015, 21:24

Anyway, just to clear things up for Vince, druids aren't supposed to lower enemy morale but boost your own troops in that department. I guess their use depends whether or not you need an extra fighting unit or a support unit that can make your existing fighters perform better and last longer.

ReluctantSamurai

06-17-2015, 22:19

Ok. Last word...I promise:creep:

From the official unit stat description:

Britannia and Gaul can recruit druids who can perform a constant mystical chant to raise nearby troops morale and have the adverse effect on nearby enemies.

From this thread:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?133944-Gallic-war-cry

I have played thousands of custom battles during my years of modding RTW and seen the effect war-cry has many countless times, often from just using 1 on 1 unit battles. From what I can ascertain, it increases the fighting ability of the unit like someone else said for up to about 30 seconds. Whether it adds an attack bonus or a lethality bonus (modders will know the difference) I don't know. It definitely is effective, however, and I've seen it turn the tide of a battle over and over. It becomes most apparent if the kill-speed of combat is reduced through modding whereby you get more of a chance to see it in effect. The best way to use it is to perform the war-cry moments before a charge, then engage the enemy. I'm not sure if you have to let the unit do the full chant before attacking to get the most effect. After 30 seconds or so, you can sometimes pull the unit out of combat, perform war-cry then charge them back in again. I am almost certain it has zero effect on enemy units.

From all of that, two things are apparent (to me, at least):

Druid/Screeching Women chant is morale boosting for your own troops, the opposite for the enemy. Warcry boosts unit morale and attk value for a short period of time.

Given all that, one can safely say chanting will only affect an enemy's low morale troops like brigands or low-skill, early-game troops, and the unit cannot engage in combat or the special is dissipated. Once mid-level or higher troops start appearing on the battlefield, chanting will have little to no effect on enemy troops and its only benefit will be to your own troops. However...

....Warcry boosts both morale and attack value regardless of what the enemy has, so why would you bother with a Druid unit whose special is not as good as what your infantry already possess?:inquisitive:

I guess their use depends whether or not you need an extra fighting unit or a support unit that can make your existing fighters perform better and last longer.

I repeat...if you enjoy the luxury of having a unit or two that cost over twice as much per man as your best infantry unit, and have to stay out of combat in order for their special to work, and whose said special is a lesser duplicate to what you already possess, then you need to crank up the difficulty.

Just my 2cents:soapbox:

wooly_mammoth

06-17-2015, 22:52

Hey, if I was forced to stop using a unit that I like because the game was too difficult and pigeon-holed me in a specific approach in order to have a chance to win, I wouldn't like it. :laugh4:

Vincent Butler

06-17-2015, 23:08

Ok. Last word...I promise:creep:

From the official unit stat description:

Britannia and Gaul can recruit druids who can perform a constant mystical chant to raise nearby troops morale and have the adverse effect on nearby enemies.

So the Warchant does affect the enemy, I know the description only says it boosts morale. With Warband, they need all the help they can get:rolleyes:. That said, I will have to experiment on M/M. I did not know about the boost to your morale on E/E, even Cohort rout quickly on E/E with the Chant. At later levels, it is not a good idea to use Warband much anyway due to the low morale/stats. Of course the sword units still get the Warcry.

Druid/Screeching Women chant is morale boosting for your own troops
I know Screeching Women is supposed to intimidate the enemy, I am not sure if it helps your own troops or not. I would not use them anyway, regardless of my feelings about women in combat, their defense is too low. And, like Druids, I think they are unrealistic. As Scythia, I might use female units to be historically accurate, and for lack of better units for a time. Not that I am planning on being Scythia anytime soon. I want to have a successful Barbarian campaign first, the best I have done is with Britannia, and then the riots started ending my campaigns, I know, ZPG~;).

ReluctantSamurai

06-18-2015, 00:12

Hey, if I was forced to stop using a unit that I like because the game was too difficult and pigeon-holed me in a specific approach in order to have a chance to win, I wouldn't like it.

We play games for the enjoyment, yes? If using Druids makes the game more fun for you, then by all means use them. But.....

.....please try not to use comments like "I use Druids for the added swag" ~;)
If you're using Druids anytime after the first 10-15 years then: a) you have denarii to burn; or b) the battle difficulty you are playing at allows them to still be somewhat useful. Swagger has nothing to do with it~D

As Scythia, I might use female units to be historically accurate, and for lack of better units for a time.

The Scythian Noble Women are a bit redundant. By the time you can recruit them, you can recruit the Scythian Noble Archers which require only the advanced horse stables. The Noble Women require the Temple of Api, IIRC. This is what kills them though...Scythian Noble Archers have better stats, and lower per-man unit costs. In short, they're better and cheaper. There's no reason to ever use Scythian Noble Women as they stand; you're paying more for less (on large unit setting, Noble Archers=54 men; Noble Women=36 women)

The Head Hunting Maidens are a different story. With an attack of 10/def of 11, they are comparable to Barbarian Cavalry (or Egyptian Desert Cavalry) with the added bonus of using axes for a main weapon and so their attk is armor piercing. Great for flanking and chasing routers since they ride an unarmored horse and therefore less prone to fatigue, and are fast-moving.

and then the riots started ending my campaigns, I know, ZPG

:bounce: Someday you'll learn..............

Vincent Butler

06-18-2015, 01:03

The Scythian Noble Women are a bit redundant. By the time you can recruit them, you can recruit the Scythian Noble Archers which require only the advanced horse stables. The Noble Women require the Temple of Api, IIRC. This is what kills them though...Scythian Noble Archers have better stats, and lower per-man unit costs. In short, they're better and cheaper. There's no reason to ever use Scythian Noble Women as they stand; you're paying more for less (on large unit setting, Noble Archers=54 men; Noble Women=36 women)

The Head Hunting Maidens are a different story. With an attack of 10/def of 11, they are comparable to Barbarian Cavalry (or Egyptian Desert Cavalry) with the added bonus of using axes for a main weapon and so their attk is armor piercing. Great for flanking and chasing routers since they ride an unarmored horse and therefore less prone to fatigue, and are fast-moving.

My brother and I noticed that about the Scythian female units with his campaign. There is no sense in training the Noble Women, but the Head-Hunting Maidens are useful. Better than Barbarian Cav, I think, and especially so because of the AP characteristic. I don't use much barbarian cav myself except as mercenaries or to have some cav in an otherwise-all-infantry army, mainly for chasing down routers.

ReluctantSamurai

06-18-2015, 02:00

There is no sense in training the Noble Women

There is a work-around that doesn't require any special modding tools...alter the export_descr_unit file for the Noble Women. Resize them to be the same as the Noble Archers (and the retraining cost to reflect the larger size) and now you have a unit worth using. Their range is 170, same as the men; 30 ammo, same as the men; and cost efficient 990/195 (cost/upkeep) for the Noble Women, 900/170 for the men. Downside is two turns to train Noble Women, one turn for the men.

And a correction on the Temple of Api...that is required for the Head-Hunting Maidens, not the Noble Women.

wooly_mammoth

06-18-2015, 08:10

I know Screeching Women is supposed to intimidate the enemy, I am not sure if it helps your own troops or not. I would not use them anyway, regardless of my feelings about women in combat, their defense is too low. And, like Druids, I think they are unrealistic.

Well, as has been pointed out already in the Germania guide, the unnerving effect of screechers stacks up with flaming arrows, dogs, nightraiders or berserkers, so a german army has the potential to break even a seasoned enemy through weight of fear and an all out death charge from axe-wielding maniacs. Maybe I'll post more on this if I write down in that thread interesting stuff from the campaign I just started, but in terms of realism, the whole german roster is complete fantasy. To my knowledge there was no such thing historically as fighting in a disciplined phalanx or even axe-fighting (let alone humongous two-handed battle axes that cleave a punny roman in half) for the tribes in that region, they relied mostly on spears and swords.

But as a fun historical fact, it seems my dacian ancestors had a light cultural impact on the roman civilization in this regard. They fought with a large, curved sickle-like blade called a falx, and this thing was genuinely capable of cleaving a limb or a head off if it connected nicely with one big swing. It appears the dacians were so effective at lobbing heads off in the first battles that the legionary helmet was redesigned so as to give better protection against such an attack.

Ludens

06-18-2015, 09:41

To my knowledge there was no such thing historically as fighting in a disciplined phalanx or even axe-fighting (let alone humongous two-handed battle axes that cleave a punny roman in half) for the tribes in that region, they relied mostly on spears and swords.

IIRC Caesar actually mentions the Germans fighting in a phalanx formation (though we cannot know exactly what he meant by that). That said, the Barbarian unit rosters are pretty much fantasy when it comes to the non-generic units.

But as a fun historical fact, it seems my dacian ancestors had a light cultural impact on the roman civilization in this regard. They fought with a large, curved sickle-like blade called a falx, and this thing was genuinely capable of cleaving a limb or a head off if it connected nicely with one big swing. It appears the dacians were so effective at lobbing heads off in the first battles that the legionary helmet was redesigned so as to give better protection against such an attack.

Not the helmet: legionaries added shoulder/arm guards to their shieldbearing arm, because the falx was so effective at reaching behind the shield. A legionary helmet isn't much defence against a decapitation attack. (Nor do I think decapitation was a real attack anyway: it's already difficult to accomplish to a victim who is bound and has his head on the block. Against an alert, shielded opponent is must have been pretty much impossible.)

ReluctantSamurai

06-18-2015, 13:58

the unnerving effect of screechers stacks up with flaming arrows, dogs, nightraiders or berserkers, so a german army has the potential to break even a seasoned enemy through weight of fear and an all out death charge from axe-wielding maniacs.

You will not need the Harpy Hags to create such an effect. Zerkers & Night Raiders + Wardogs do that just fine. However, now you really can have swagger~;) With the distant ancestors of Michael Myers, one of the three best archer units in the game, and well armored-heavy hitting cav....you'll soon be conducting games in Rome's Coliseum.:creep:

Concerning the falx and Roman armor...I found this site a few years back. Found their discussions about weapons and armor to be more balanced than most (ie. some of the folks there don't buy into all the apparent myths)

http://www.romanarmytalk.com/17-roman-military-history-a-archaeology/283980-dacian-falx-vs-roman-helmets-armor.html

Vincent Butler

06-18-2015, 18:20

Well, as has been pointed out already in the Germania guide, the unnerving effect of screechers stacks up with flaming arrows, dogs, nightraiders or berserkers, so a german army has the potential to break even a seasoned enemy through weight of fear and an all out death charge from axe-wielding maniacs. Maybe I'll post more on this if I write down in that thread interesting stuff from the campaign I just started, but in terms of realism, the whole german roster is complete fantasy. To my knowledge there was no such thing historically as fighting in a disciplined phalanx or even axe-fighting (let alone humongous two-handed battle axes that cleave a punny roman in half) for the tribes in that region, they relied mostly on spears and swords.

But as a fun historical fact, it seems my dacian ancestors had a light cultural impact on the roman civilization in this regard. They fought with a large, curved sickle-like blade called a falx, and this thing was genuinely capable of cleaving a limb or a head off if it connected nicely with one big swing. It appears the dacians were so effective at lobbing heads off in the first battles that the legionary helmet was redesigned so as to give better protection against such an attack.

It seems I have read that the reinforcing bar in the helmet was added to resist a vertical Zone 1 (head) attack. But if the weapon gets caught in the shield...you have probably just lost your falx. There is a picture on this forum, I don't know where, of a reenactment of a falx cleaving a scutum. It looks like the weapon gets stuck in the shield after slicing about a quarter to a third through.
According to the writings of my Viking ancestors, the berserkers were used as the foreward of an invasion force, due to their invulnerability to fire and sword. Wikipedia quotes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berserker) an account of a berserker being defeated by a large hammer. Problem in the game? Need a specific temple, same for Gothic Cav, though I believe same temple as Berserkers. But this is more suited to a Germania thread.
Now we do know from Caesar's writings the Gauls were different warriors than the Germans, holding the upper hand on them at one time, but eventually falling before them. And then the Germans fell before Caesar.

But the Germans, according to their custom, rapidly forming a phalanx, sustained the attack of our swords. There were found very many of our soldiers who leaped upon the phalanx, and with their hands tore away the shields, and wounded the enemy from above. Caesar's Commentaries On the Gallic War, Book 1, p. 30
The Gauls were quick to adopt tactics from others, but I don't recall the Gauls being said to use phalanx.