MTW Question

[Hank]

Hi -

Is there any way to toggle off the trees in MTW? If not, any tips on positioning units and figuring out what is occuring while in a forest? Forests really obscure a lot of the action that I want to see.

[Major Robert Dump]

sorry Hank, but trees are an obstacle you have to will learn how to get around. At the same time, they are a tool you can learn to use. to answer your question...i'm fairly certain u cannot disable them,

Hopefully, you are not having a problem controlling your troops while in the trees. I assume you are referring to the inability to see enemy troops in trees until you are within a certain proximity. It is a pain in the ass and can lead to some unpleasant suprises.

I can only recommend that you learn the basic rules of engagement for fighting in and around trees. and doing it against the AI is easy to master, while using the tactics against a real-life human in MP can be a bit more tricky.

GL M8

[Hank]

Thanks for the reply Bummer on the toggle. I was hoping there was a key that would turn them off/on...

Im having trouble both controlling my units in trees and monitoring combat in trees.

Controlling-wise. I cant seem to the get knack of postitioning units correctly in the trees. They dont want to go where I click. That is the main problem. It almost seems like the unit wants to go at the base of the tree I click on instead of behind it (when I click on the leaves for instance). Perhaps it is just me tho.

The rest of the issues are all solved by spending more time with the game paused and pausing it more frequently. A tree-toggle would be nice for this since it would speed up the games a bit (pause, toggle off the trees, issue orders, toggle on, unpause).

I'll just have to get used to it

[Major Robert Dump]

Monitering combat in trees through use of the minimap IS difficult because of the terrain markers on the minimap, and it is especially hard for me since I am colorblind http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Now, regarding controlling the units in the trees:

You cannot pack your units in as tight of formations as you do when you are in open land. In case you haven't noticed, sometimes when your units gets too close to one another they shift position so they have some elbow room -- and they shift without your permission http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Sometimes they even go so far as to march out into the front of your entire army and become exposed to enemy fire...this is because you had your men packed too tight. Also, it happens if you and your allies pack too tight together -- which is why it is mortal sin to cross thru your allies army without permission

In trees, the packed-too-tight penalty is even worse because they units big trees between them http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif when you are hiding in trees or using them for defensive advantage, you need to keep units very spaced out because their lines are strained and staggered so they take up more area than usual.
Keep your units on tight formation, but leave some space between untis in the front and back (it is usually okay to overlap from left or right).

The thing to remember is that in trees you have defensive advantage(especially with spear and lance units) so you can afford the extra response time required to move your men up to help defend the front line. In some cases, hold formation can do wonders when defending in the trees with spears and lancers.

Be sure and dont let your horses fight in the trees, and if you are going to mount a counter attack then use your swords and axes first if you are still in the trees...spears suffer an attack penalty, so use them to fend off the enmy and strike back with the shock units.

Trees offer an excellent staging ground for mounting an attack or counterattack, just be sure to manage your horses properly and don't let them get caught in the trees and don't let them get isolated trying to do some fancy far-reaching flank. Life is cheap -- horses are expensive

Move as an army and remember your missles do more damage if they are firing in the open, but also take more damage in the open. The variable will have to be weighed depending on the circumstances (ie-number of missles and firing rate).

Sorry if I told u anything You already knew...just trying to help and waiting patiently for new machine in mail http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

BTW, I haven't played since the game was patched, so if I am wrong about something PLEASE someone intervene here http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[alby]

pretty sound advice from major there

i normally put my army in formation in the open and then move the entire army into the woods one move, then check to see if they too tightly packed, repeating if necessary

sometimes its useful to hide some cav in the woods away from your main force for surprise attacks

[Gregoshi]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif Greetings and Welcome Hank Hug a tree, they are your friend. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

Dump and alby have some good advice.

As for mechanics of controlling men in trees, I've found it best to zoom your camera pretty close to the units you wish to command. Out in the open you can be pretty far away and still maintain good control, but with trees, you need to move into them. Click on the part of the unit that is in the clearing between trees. When placing, move your camera so you have a good view of the clearing around the trees where you want to place the unit. It is clumsy at times, but trees are obstacles after all.

[Knight_Yellow]

I dont know what it is but i have never lost a battle in MP whilst fighting in trees.....

i guess ive got great spacial awareness, i seem to know exactly where my men are and i exploit the fact that other ppl find it vry hard to fight in trees.

plus u dont get shot up in the trees...

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Hosakawa Tito]

Some good advice here. Use the trees to your advantage. entice the AI to use his cav in the trees to try and outflank you. Pin them inplace with spears or halbadiers and then flank them with shock units, swords or axemen. The trees make great ambush sites and you'll come to appreciate them, especially against the Golden Horde.

[Tyrac]

Sometimes the answer is as simple as looking at the trees from a different direction. If you cannot do or see from the front....swing the camera around and look form the back can help.