Custom Formations

[chunkynut]

With:

Spears = _ / \ (straight lines)
Swords = +
Missile = ~ (non seige)
Missile = # (seige)
L Cav = *
H Cav = ^

Ok maybe not the easist way to do things but with battles being one of, if not, the largest part of the game very little is shown on these boards. This may flop but i'd like to have a go to see how fellow generals delpoy their troops http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

This is not confinded to MP or SP. (but MP's may not want to give away their secrets http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )

This is my attempt:

_ _ _ _
+ ~ ~ ~ +
* ^ ^ ^ *

This is unfortunatly very unoriginal usual spear wall with flanking sword and light cav with heavy in reserve. I know there are only 14 units this is so i can show i have can have 2 siege at the back or added sword/spear/missile if i want (just a bit of flexability really).

Note: Not for fortification assualts this would be v. difficult to represent

Go ahead and loose yourself in saying how great this or that is http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Orda Khan]

My battle formation is based on the 'Tulughma' of the Mongols.......

**************************
-----------------------------
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
+++++++++++++++++++++

* hcav
--- spears
(( )) horsearchers
$$ infantry
+++ archers


((((((((((((((( )))))))))))))))))

----------
$$$$$$$$
****** ++++++ ******


Sorry I can only do straight lines but its a sort of engage with vanguard while wings move out and encircle,draw back vanguard, hit with heavy cav. It's just a shame you can't use Mongols in MP

......Orda

[A.Saturnus]

In defensive battles I use often this:

###########
+++ ------------------ +++
((( ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ )))) ***** *****
***** *****

with # crossb/arb
+ swords
( ) horse archer/light cav
~ archer
* hcav
- spear

when the enemy`s close enough I put the spears for the arbs, move the arbs to the side and flank with hcav.

P.S. The 2nd line hcav should stand behind the first, don`t get it done.

[Kraxis]

Lets see if I can manage this. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

For defence:
- = Spears
+ = Shockinfantry
$ = Arbs crossbows
" = Archers/skirmishers
() = Horse Archers (if any)
¤ = Heavy cav
* = Light cav


(((((( ))))))

$$$$$$$$$$$$$
++++-----------------++++
++++"""""""""""""""""++++
**** ¤¤¤¤¤ ****
¤¤¤ ¤¤¤

For attack:


*****((((( )))))*****


"""""$$$$$$$$$"""""
+++"""""------------"""""+++
+++ ¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤ +++

As it is obvious I like the anoying tactics of Horse Archers, eventhough I'm not the best with them: http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Jaret]

OK here is my go http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

) = Archers/Arbalesters
- = Spearmen
$ = Swordsmen
/ = Skirmishers
+ = Heavy Cavalry
x = Light Cavalry


/// ))) ))) ))) ))) ///
$$$ --- --- --- --- $$$
xxx +++ +++ xxx

Close, solid ... GOD LOVES THE INFANTERY

Mostly I only use Cavalry to do fast flanking moves or as a reserve. I love Almugahvars, they are exellent skirmishers that can hold their ground by themselves. I prefere Gallowglass as Swordsmen. Their Charge and superior Meele are perfect for Flanking. Throw an Glallowglassunit in Wedge Formation (and hold formation) into the Flanks of the enemy and he will route in no time Same with Heavy Cavalry ... Wedge and Hold Formation and then ... CHARGE http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Niccolomachiavelli]

See, my problem with positioning the cavalry as you guys have it is that it takes too long to move out from behind the enemy lines and outflank the engaged enemy. Furthermore, when I'm outnumbered, which is the case pretty often, outflanking an enemy unit engaged with my inf is pretty difficult since the AI tends to attack in partial echelon. If my horses hit the rear of the engaged enemy, the incoming forces will simply attack my cavalry in the read, creating a big sandwich of death.

My formations are super simplistic:

- =spears
+ =shock troops (as catholics, this means swords)
^ =cavalry (I almost always stick to heavy)
% =archers, etc

++- - - - - -++
^^ % % % ^^

That way, spears engage and hold, shock have the option of either ouflanking in lieu of cavalry, or engaging the other incoming troops, thus giving my cavalry an opportunity to either maneuver behind the engaged enemy, or to blitzkrieg the enemy general, provided he is vulnerable. I might add I rarely have more than 2-3 archer type units as they dont seem to get enough shots off or kill so satisfy me. Any comments, critiques?

[Dionysus9]

Quote[/b] (Niccolomachiavelli @ Nov. 15 2002,11:44)] ++- - - - - -++
^^ % % % ^^
I basically use the same formation, except I normally swing my alan-cav out front and to the wings pretty quickly. If horsearchers or other skirmishers advance too far I push the cav forward and cut back toward my center (forcing the ranged unit to skirmish toward my line). It also makes quick attacks with cav easier. If they get targeted by ranged units I simply move em back.

^^ ^^

++- - - - - -++
% % %

[trader/warrior]

in my campaigns i wery often have situations were this is a good tactic


"""
---------------
/ """ \
## ///// ##

" = archers
- = spears
/and\ = swords
# = cavs

[Kraxis]

Ahhh trader/warrior, so you don't use spears??? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Niccolomachiavelli]

I was thinking the same thing Kraxis. Must be a pain on defensive matches

[trader/warrior]

there was supposed to be spears there. i edited it to the way it wwas supposed to be now.

[Cheetah]

My favourite STW setup for SP was as follows:

========= =========
--- ========= ========= ---
--- ========= ========= ---
=========
--- ---
--- +++ --- +++ +++
+++ +++ +++ +++
+++ ***********


archer unit: ========
yari unit: ---
---
NOD: +++
+++
yari cav: **********

I have played hundreds of battles with this setup http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif last archer unit in the left coloumn was the general's unit.

Basic setup for MTW single player:

======= ======= =======
+++ +++ +++ ----- ----- ----- +++ +++ +++

***** general *****

archers or x-bows: =====
spears: -----
swords: +++
light cav: *****
gereral's unit: it depends on http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

also, it is only 15 units , the remaining unit can be anything.

[hoom]

spear= / - \
archer= A
cav= C
militia sergeants= M

/\
/AA M AA\
/AAM CC MAA\

That is my edge of map defence.
I will need to change it.