Defending bridges

[eXistenZi]

I remember reading a bridge defense tactic thread and don't remember this strategy being mentioned:

http://existenz_inside.evil.cc/defending.vrp

Basically put two spear units in both sides of the bridge with a melee unit at the end of the formation sloping in. Put the spears on hold formation and enjoy http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif.

I'm not too good at this game, so this might have a lot of downsides, etc. Also, notice I wasn't defending the other bridge. This is because the computer never attacks it (this is on normal difficulty)

Anyway the death toll was about 500 to 30. All of my units were valour 0 and the general had no spectacular vices/virtues.

What do you guys think of this? Idiocy or a good idea?
[Edit]Here's a pic. You should still download the replay though just to see the full effect.
http://existenz_inside.evil.cc/defending.JPG

[Dukezer0]

Don't wish to patronize but thats what most people do (i should imagine). http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Judging by your pic though, i would have them further from the bridge enterance/exit so you can get a definate good flank. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

But all this aside there is nothing better than missile units to defend a bridge http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif .

[ichi]

Ex:

Interesting, I've never tried this. I would think that making one of the spears the general would increase the chance of him getting killed and causing problems.

Also, are the spears close enuff to the other shore to get hit by missiles?

Although we dont see a lot of bridge games in MP, I wonder how this would work against human intelligence.

Archers are an important part of any bridge defense, but eventually they run out of ammo.

ichi

[Hakonarson]

Yep - that's what I do - although I'm happy putting up 3 spears and lettign my missile troops massacre teh enemy.

Alternatively if you're running low on units use 2 spears in a "V".

and I have seen the AI attack both bridges........so don't take it for granted http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[el_slapper]

I make this much broader, with 4 arbs in circle around the bridge exit. With quick troops to slaughter the remnants.

But, basically, everyone does use variants ot that one.

[hoom]

1 chiv knights + 15 pav arbs = why nobody plays bridge battles...
Bloody fun to watch in a custom battle though http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Nowake]

I sometimes retreat on a strong position, let him cross, and while I rout him from the field, I close his retreat with some spear units or anythin that seems apropriate ... Sometimes there are no survivors http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

[hrvojej]

Hmm, I don't use this... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I usually send one unit of spears to stop them on the bridge, and pound the rest with missiles. What happens when your spears in V squash the first unit that crosses and expose their flanks to the incoming units?

[eXistenZi]

They don't expose their flanks as they close in on the unit usually, keeping the v but opening it up a bit. Just watch the replay.

[Nowake]

Quote[/b] (hrvojej @ June 10 2003,07:01)]Hmm, I don't use this... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I usually send one unit of spears to stop them on the bridge, and pound the rest with missiles. What happens when your spears in V squash the first unit that crosses and expose their flanks to the incoming units?
Is this related to my post, hrvojej?

[hrvojej]

Nope, I was asking about the V tactic...

[bhutavarna]

I think it's better to pull those spear unit back further. Let a few of enemy units cross the bridge. Then charge/envelope them. In most case you'll rout them easily, and the rest will flee in panic as you chase them across the bridge. Putting your units to close to the river bank risks enemy missiles hitting you, losing morale during melee.

[HopAlongBunny]

Bad link. But it sounds like one Soly posted a long time ago. I never used it until very recently-worked like a charm http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Spears as a cap; halderds or militia on flank and missles (sp) behind. It lets them cross and get slaughtered, and keeps your units out of archery range. The best part (I found) was that it was easier to keep my units from chasing the enemy across and getting snuffed http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif

[Hakonarson]

Quote[/b] (hrvojej @ June 10 2003,07:01)]Hmm, I don't use this... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I usually send one unit of spears to stop them on the bridge, and pound the rest with missiles. What happens when your spears in V squash the first unit that crosses and expose their flanks to the incoming units?
They don't - if you push htem back then you push them onto the bridge same as your single unit does - there's no flanks to be exposed.

Pulling hte units back as someone else suggested jsut allows them to get around the flanks more easily IMO - your "line" iseasier to break up the further it is from the bridge - the ultimate is the single unit Hrv suggests, but that's too easy http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Being close to the bridge does expose you to missiles, but not many, as the rivers are all nice and wide, and any missiles fired at you are going to hit a lot of him too.

I only ever aim missiles at units on the bridge, and let the combat modifiers forover-crowding handle the masses of troops trying to fight mine hand to hand http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Beirut]

I had a bridge scrap in cutom battle just a few hours ago. Two English pikemen and five or six longbowmen destroyed a huge French army (what else is new) on a single bridge crossing.

Just waited for the French to pile onto the bridge, block them with the pikemen, the enemy general always seems to rush in, then hammer them with volley after volley of arrows. The French general gets killed or runs away (what else is new) and the rest is history.

Yep, bloody good fun to watch. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[A Nerd]

I like to set up my units in a U shape around the bridge, set back somewhat. And allow the AI to send units completely across the bridge. Then I attack from all sides. If I have good pieces they take heavy casualties. I try not to persue but some times you have to let one unit go. Archers do well to shoot their bottle neck on the bridge. Chase them down when they flee. Works with more than one bridge as well. The AI, in my experience, seldom crosses more than one bridge at a time. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif