Beginning battle formations

[Lord Almighty]

Greetings,

I was wondering about the menu of battle formations available to your army before the battle begins and which ones are your favorites, under which circumstances, and why do you make the choice you do. I always end up picking the three-line attack/defense because I'm a newbie and its the formation that makes most sense and I have the most control over right now (missles first, foot second, cav third). Do the other choices work better (and why) and do they have any factual/historical basis? For example, why would one want to pick the scorpian formation, or the steppe envelopment formation etc.

Many thnaks,

Lord Almighty

[chilling]

I usually have 3 line attack for any battle.

It gets my troops in the sort of order I like them in. Not perfect but it's easier to change to my desired formation from that than from any of the other options. I'm a 'bows to the front' type of guy, which may not suit your style.

[fruitfly]

When I'm defending, I tend to place all my units manually to get them in the arrangement I want and usually to make my army more compact. This lets me defend a smaller area, so I can normally get my archers arranged behind each other on a hill and concentrate maximum firepower on individual advancing enemy units. Defending a shorter line means having moreunits in reserve to plug any gaps or to flank an enemy attack, but tends to require having cavalry on each flank to avoid being flanked.

I didn't use to worry about defensive positioning much until I started playing on hard, but the AI seems a bit more crafty now so it pays to scout out a good position to defend and arrange units carefully.

When I'm attacking I like the cavalry-based formations, but you seem to need the correct army balance to get them to position your troops correctly. I've never really got the hang of the scorpion one, because although I like the way it gives me a couple of advanced cavalry units on either flank it bunches up the infantry in the middle too much for my liking. The steppe envelopment and eastern cavalry ones are nice though. Good for encircling the enemy and rear-charging engaged troops.

[Dhepee]

I don't use the preset battle formations. For the attack and defense I do pretty much the same thing. In both attack and defense I like have a long front line, with foot soldiers in the middle, archers directly behind, and cavalry on the flanks. It is good to have a formation that is flexible so that you can adapt it to the terrain or the movements of the enemy. I have often used formations that make it almost impossible for me to get my units to the right place at the right time based on the terrain or how the battle is evolving. Formations change throughout a battle but I usually start with the same basic idea for all of my battles and then adapt it to the enemy or terrain.

I group all of my units and then select the Mixed Double Line Formation (I think that it is the right name but I'm not at the computer with the game on it right now) from the group formations at the top. This puts my spear/melee units in the front and center rank, direcly behind them are the missile units and the cavalry are on the flanks of the spear/melee.

This is a good starting point for my style of fighting. It protects the missiles behind a wall of spears, so I can take them off skirmish and not worry. It also allows the missile units to fire at approaching units on the defense and if I detach a group of archers/cover units they are already grouped together in the line and it won't hold up the attack. In an attack I usually send all of my archers forward, protected by a couple of spear units, to soften up the enemy before my melee/cavalry attack the enemy.

Once I detach the group for the archary faze of the attack, I group the archers/spears, and regroup the rest of the line and reform it into the Mixed Single Line. Now there are two grouped formations. The key for me is to keep my cavalry on the flanks, because the AI tends to bunch up into a double or triple line, which is shorter than my single line.

After the archery faze, when I attack I can pin the enemy with my foot soldiers and they will pile into my line, I use a lot of SAP as they can take the pile up without taking heavy casualties but still inflict heavy casualties of their own, same for Gothic Foot knights, and then I ride the cavalry around the exposed flanks to encircle and destroy them. Once I start the cavalry moving I group the cavalry units on the right and the left and regroup the line, without changing its formation, as it is engaged. By this time I have moved my archers off the field, and the covering spearmen are in the fight; I group the covering spearmen into the foot line, and just let the archers go.

I will then bring on pursuit troops, often mounted sargents because they are fast, cheap, come in large packs, and will chase most anything.

As the formations changes I change the groupings so that each body of men that are doing an individual task in a single area of the field are in the same group, that way individual parts of my army can move quickly as the battle changes. It's good to keep units in groups to maintain the protected flanks bonus.

For the defense the only difference is that I do not detach a unit of archers/cover units, I keep the line whole and let the enemy march up a hill into my fire. I also pull the cavalry back and a little behind the infantry line, I use gold-boxing to modify the formation, so that the advancing enemy troops don't engage them and prevent them from flanking. I let the enemy pile up on my front rank, and keep firing at approaching troops (I don't fire at the front rank of enemy once they are engaged because of friendly fire), and then I ride the cavalry straight into the enemy flanks. Sometimes a cavalry unit or two ends up fighting off mounted archers on the flanks, but that doesn't really reduce the effects of the flanking charge, although it is annoying. Sometimes, if the enemy has a very large army I will further modify the line so that the front rank of spears looks like this:

------
/ \

This prevents the enemy from lapping over the edges of my line and flanking me. Again I use gold-boxing to do it.

[Michael the Great]

Also,be sure to use waypoints for flanking,I find them very usefull.

[Sun Tzui]

http://www.kimsoft.com/suntzu.jpg

I pretty much agree with what Dhepee wrote, and often defeat, or a least cause heavy casualties to my opponents on the field, with very similar tactics.

I always use 3 to 4 spear units on the center, backed by some ranged units (wich i prefer to mix, for ex. archer/crossbowmen or archer/arabalasters), preferably units with a quick reloading rate with some other(s) that take more time to reload, but have a bigger punch on armour.
I always take them off the fire at will option and focus their attack on one enemy unit at a time.

I use some feudal men at arms or chilvaric knights or other shock units with weapons good against armour at the flanks (by the way gallowglasses are great but very undisciplined&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.

And usually 2 cavarly at the far end of each flank to arass or take out long range enemy units or peasants, or any other unfortunate fool that gets too far away from formation.

This tactic isn't in any way static, as i'm always adapting it to the troops i have available.

It gets a little bit like this:

Spear Spear Spear Spear
Shock Shock Arch CrossB Arch Shock Shock
Cav Gen Cav

You can modify it to suit your needs, adding or withrawing units, using mounted crossbowmen/archers to kill off units before they come in contact with your main army(for example).

Take advantage of the terrain, and mainly forests
Hide units in the woods and surprise your opponent, leave 1 or 2 units with irresistible or strong charge in hidding, make make use of guerrilla tactics with them, attack/run off, and if possible use cavalry in their rear or flanks (this really gets them running eheheh).

Last but not least, find what tactic suits you the most, use an army balanced to suit your needs, and remember victory is not always in the number of your troops, but in their experience, morale, and weapons and shields quality, to name but a few.

In Battle be like the water that flows, adapting itself to it's surroundings.

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif AND FOR GOODNESS SAKE, ENJOY THE GAME http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

So much could be written on this topic, that thinkink about it has given me a headache http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/read.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif

http://www.kimsoft.com/suntzu.jpg

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]I don't use the preset battle formations.
Me neither...




Quote[/b] ]I like have a long front line, with foot soldiers in the middle, archers directly behind, and cavalry on the flanks. It is good to have a formation that is flexible so that you can adapt it to the terrain or the movements of the enemy. Formations change throughout a battle but I usually start with the same basic idea for all of my battles and then adapt it to the enemy or terrain.
Me too http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
But only on attack... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
On defense I order them myself, after picking the best spot on the map. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif




Quote[/b] ]This is a good starting point for my style of fighting. It protects the missiles behind a wall of spears, so I can take them off skirmish and not worry. It also allows the missile units to fire at approaching units on the defense and if I detach a group of archers/cover units they are already grouped together in the line and it won't hold up the attack. In an attack I usually send all of my archers forward, protected by a couple of spear units, to soften up the enemy before my melee/cavalry attack the enemy.
Are you copycating me? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif




Quote[/b] ]Once I detach the group for the archary faze of the attack, I group the archers/spears, and regroup the rest of the line and reform it into the Mixed Single Line. Now there are two grouped formations. The key for me is to keep my cavalry on the flanks, because the AI tends to bunch up into a double or triple line, which is shorter than my single line.

After the archery faze, when I attack I can pin the enemy with my foot soldiers and they will pile into my line, I use a lot of SAP as they can take the pile up without taking heavy casualties but still inflict heavy casualties of their own, same for Gothic Foot knights, and then I ride the cavalry around the exposed flanks to encircle and destroy them. Once I start the cavalry moving I group the cavalry units on the right and the left and regroup the line, without changing its formation, as it is engaged. By this time I have moved my archers off the field, and the covering spearmen are in the fight; I group the covering spearmen into the foot line, and just let the archers go.

I will then bring on pursuit troops, often mounted sargents because they are fast, cheap, come in large packs, and will chase most anything.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif We have similar attack styles http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
But I use Alan Mercenary Cavalary whenever I have the chance... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ] Spear Spear Spear Spear
Shock Shock Arch CrossB Arch Shock Shock
Cav Gen Cav

Good deployement
Mine is similar, but I tend to switch 2 melee for 2 more missile units...
But of course, it always depends on the enemy. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif




Quote[/b] ]So much could be written on this topic, that thinkink about it has given me a headache http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/read.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif
You're right about that
There are a lot of variations, but as you said, adaptability is the name of the game... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Dhepee]

Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ Dec. 16 2003,12:19)]
Quote[/b] ]I don't use the preset battle formations.
Me neither...




Quote[/b] ]I like have a long front line, with foot soldiers in the middle, archers directly behind, and cavalry on the flanks. It is good to have a formation that is flexible so that you can adapt it to the terrain or the movements of the enemy. Formations change throughout a battle but I usually start with the same basic idea for all of my battles and then adapt it to the enemy or terrain.
Me too http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
But only on attack... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
On defense I order them myself, after picking the best spot on the map. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif




Quote[/b] ]This is a good starting point for my style of fighting. It protects the missiles behind a wall of spears, so I can take them off skirmish and not worry. It also allows the missile units to fire at approaching units on the defense and if I detach a group of archers/cover units they are already grouped together in the line and it won't hold up the attack. In an attack I usually send all of my archers forward, protected by a couple of spear units, to soften up the enemy before my melee/cavalry attack the enemy.
Are you copycating me? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif




Quote[/b] ]Once I detach the group for the archary faze of the attack, I group the archers/spears, and regroup the rest of the line and reform it into the Mixed Single Line. Now there are two grouped formations. The key for me is to keep my cavalry on the flanks, because the AI tends to bunch up into a double or triple line, which is shorter than my single line.

After the archery faze, when I attack I can pin the enemy with my foot soldiers and they will pile into my line, I use a lot of SAP as they can take the pile up without taking heavy casualties but still inflict heavy casualties of their own, same for Gothic Foot knights, and then I ride the cavalry around the exposed flanks to encircle and destroy them. Once I start the cavalry moving I group the cavalry units on the right and the left and regroup the line, without changing its formation, as it is engaged. By this time I have moved my archers off the field, and the covering spearmen are in the fight; I group the covering spearmen into the foot line, and just let the archers go.

I will then bring on pursuit troops, often mounted sargents because they are fast, cheap, come in large packs, and will chase most anything.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif We have similar attack styles http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
But I use Alan mercenary Cavalary whenever I have the chance... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I think we have almost identical styles of fighting. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif What I wrote here is bascially the same thing that I wrote in Archers Underpowered in MTW thread but this time I focused on specific formations.
I use the long lines for defense too, but I do gold-box more to get a better arrangement, and I always position myself on the high ground.
I like the simplicity of using a single adaptable formation for all battles. I used to use all of the different formations in the menu, but they were too rigid and couldn't be adapted to terrain easily, or they just didn't make sense because archers would be unsupported, there would be a huge pile up in the advance with no hope of fanning out to flank, or flanks were left inadequately protected. I find it much easier to adapt from the Mixed Double Line based on terrain and enemy.

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]I think we have almost identical styles of fighting.
Yeap http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif




Quote[/b] ]I like the simplicity of using a single adaptable formation for all battles.
Me too... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif




Quote[/b] ]I used to use all of the different formations in the menu, but they were too rigid and couldn't be adapted to terrain easily, or they just didn't make sense because archers would be unsupported, there would be a huge pile up in the advance with no hope of fanning out to flank, or flanks were left inadequately protected.
I reached the same conclusions... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif




Quote[/b] ] I find it much easier to adapt from the Mixed Double Line based on terrain and enemy.
Again, I agree. However, sometimes, I use a 3 line deployment, for reserve units that I want to use after engagement. This 3th line will always try to flank and engage critical points. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif

[ichi]

I rarely use the presets. On offense I group units together prior to hitting Begin Battle, then move into position after the battle starts. On defense, or in MP, I do what is show in some posts I made in the Main Hall:

Controlling Large Armies (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=13179)

Presets are OK for getting units into position, but you should have units grouped for use. My standard formation is a variation of the sorted two/three line: archers in front, inf behind, with cav on the wings, slightly behind.

ichi

[Voigtkampf]

Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ Dec. 16 2003,11:47)]
Quote[/b] ]I think we have almost identical styles of fighting.
Yeap http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif




Quote[/b] ]I like the simplicity of using a single adaptable formation for all battles.
Me too... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Gentlemen, you are not the only ones who approach this way. Lord Aymar, your words could have been mine too http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

Read Marcus Aurelius Simplicity, my dear Clarice http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/read.gif

[The_Emperor]

I like to use my own formations dependent on the situation.

But the most common deployment for me is the following... (it works for advancing towards the enemy)

The initial frontline is of at least Four Spearmen, screening a line of Archers behind (about 3 units). Behind the Archers are the reserves made up of a mix of Men At Arms, Halbs and Shock troops (3 or 4 units strong).

Cavalry are on the flanks beside the Spearmen... often a Mixture of Light and Heavy. The final Heavy Cav Unit is right at the back and preferrably he is the General.

(if the general happens to be an Infantry unit he joins the Second wave of Infantry in the Middle)

spear spear spear spear
Cav Cav archer archer archer Cav Cav
MAA MAA MAA MAA
Gen

Its served me quite well at times.

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]Gentlemen, you are not the only ones who approach this way. Lord Aymar, your words could have been mine too
Yes, I understand that many people do likewise.
But, nonetheless I was just laughing at the similarities... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif



Quote[/b] ]Read Marcus Aurelius Simplicity, my dear Clarice
Excellent choise of quotation, I must mention, Lord voigtkampf

[HopAlongBunny]

Sometimes, you might want to try loading up a flank. Say you load the RF; centre fairly weak, good holding units; LF skirmishers maybe some light cav. On the RF you put the heavies; cav and inf maybe one or two missile in front. Aim you heavy flank at the enemy and just keep going til contact; you want to break whatever you hit and sweep around.

The weak centre and LF just keep retreating; harassing when they can, but staying out of contact. Once the main hits, you might let the centre engage to hold units while you (hopefully) clean up.

Takes a lot of timing and a li'l luck; when it works the results are impressive http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Voigtkampf]

Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ Dec. 16 2003,14:00)]
Quote[/b] ]Read Marcus Aurelius Simplicity, my dear Clarice
Excellent choise of quotation, I must mention, Lord voigtkampf
Pleased that I could oblige... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif More of those where that baby came from

[Sniya]

For attack i usually go for line of attack as its then easy to sort out my units into my formations

[Silianat]

If im terribly out numbered i have my archers rain death apon the invaders and then, like true samoria charge down a hill into them to cause max causualties. then on my next turn my army can come and beat then occupiers back into their own lands. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif victory always works and sometimes you can take thier providence to.

[mbrasher1]

Hmmmm. So the consensus seems to be that you should have spears up front, cav on the flanks, MAA either also on the flanks or in a third row, behind the archers?

Doesn't it seem logical that your best basic melee units should be up front? If an enemy has his spears fighting your MAAs, his spears will be whipped. If the enemy tries to trump your swords by putting cavalry in their center line, you just got them to surrender their cavalry's two greatest assets -- maneuverability and the charge. Once they are in the melee, they can only with difficulty pull back for charges.

It is sensible to have cavalry on the flanks -- it gives them room to run, tactical depth, etc. Lets them make the most of their strengths -- maneuverability, their strong charge and speed.

But if your enemy has cavalry on their flanks also, why are your spears not on the flanks to counter the enemy threat?

This is why I usually add a flank guard unit of halberdiers if available to protect against cav charges.

So my setup (as a Catholic) is usually:

Spear MAA MAA MAA MAA Spear
Cav Halb Arb Archer Arb Archer Halb Cav
General (Reserve unit)

The slow halbs on the flank can be replaced by faster flanker spears -- in effect changing places with the front spears -- or by militia sergeants, if you plan on enveloping the enemy.

I also usually keep an infantry reserve -- sometimes a crap unit, or an elite unit of exceptional valor. I usually try to play with some flavor, and the idea of a second imperial guard unit is appealing both on tactical and prestige grounds. This guy has saved my bacon on more than one occasion.

Also, alot of people like symmetry -- they want an even number of bows or whatever, or equal cavalry on both flanks. I often experiment with assymmetry -- massing mounted crossbows to harrass and isolate an enemy in a reconnaissance away from the main body of troops; massing cavalry on one flank to achieve local superiority and turn THAT flank (maybe the other one is anchored by woods); or leaving tough anvil defenders like halberds on one flank and concentrating attacker units on the other flank.

Anyways, my $.02

[The_Emperor]

Quote[/b] (mbrasher1 @ Dec. 17 2003,02:34)]Hmmmm. So the consensus seems to be that you should have spears up front, cav on the flanks, MAA either also on the flanks or in a third row, behind the archers?

Doesn't it seem logical that your best basic melee units should be up front? If an enemy has his spears fighting your MAAs, his spears will be whipped.
The reason I put Spearmen in the Middle is simply because of their Strong frontal Charge and the rank Bonus they get in combat makes them quite effective... Plus as 100 Man units they fare better in the front row than a 60 Man unit.

Ultimately they make the best blocking units to fix the enemy into position ready for the Men at Arms to come in on the Unit flanks of the enemy and grind them up inflicting heavy casualties.

Sometimes I will 'Mix and Match' the front row with other infantry, depending on the situation... Other times I will Move all of my Cavalry to one side if the terrins suits it or the enemy is fairly weak on one side.

So that formation is by no means used all the time, but it has served me well.

[Brutal DLX]

Quote[/b] (Lord Almighty @ Dec. 16 2003,14:38)]Greetings,

I was wondering about the menu of battle formations available to your army before the battle begins and which ones are your favorites, under which circumstances, and why do you make the choice you do. I always end up picking the three-line attack/defense because I'm a newbie and its the formation that makes most sense and I have the most control over right now (missles first, foot second, cav third). Do the other choices work better (and why) and do they have any factual/historical basis? For example, why would one want to pick the scorpian formation, or the steppe envelopment formation etc.

Many thnaks,

Lord Almighty
Those preset formations aren't bad, and are oriented to their namesake, but indeed you need the right army composition and also an appropriate deployment zone to see them set up as intended.
Some formations speak for themselves, Steppe envelopment is for cavalry heavy armies, it sets your horse archers and light cav on the flanks and ahead, so you can outflank and skirmish the enemy right away, and scorpion tries to create a seemingly weak spot in your army that the enemy might try to exploit, only to get stung by the strong part of your army. Ideally, when they realise it's a trap it should be too late.
The formations can be altered and you can load them into a text editor and rename them as you please (the are in the formations folder in your MTW dir), and you can look up what unit types are assigned to which spots.

In most cases, if you have a balanced army, the line formations are indeed a good choice, the main purpose of the presets is to have some sort of order in your army as soon as the battle begins, because on some maps you won't have the time to arrange your units in a way you want before the enemy force engages you. On defense, I doubt anybody uses the preset formations much, because you can set up your units before the battle begins...

[Magraev]

I usually put missile units (M) in front of my main battleline (exception: longbows). The battleline is a mix of spears(S), swords(I) and polearms(P), preferring polearms on flanks. The cavalry - C is dispersed behind the line, with a focus on flanks. I'll try to make an image:

M M M M
P S I S I S P
C C C C

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]The reason I put Spearmen in the Middle is simply because of their Strong frontal Charge and the rank Bonus they get in combat makes them quite effective... Plus as 100 Man units they fare better in the front row than a 60 Man unit.

Ultimately they make the best blocking units to fix the enemy into position ready for the Men at Arms to come in on the Unit flanks of the enemy and grind them up inflicting heavy casualties.

Sometimes I will 'Mix and Match' the front row with other infantry, depending on the situation... Other times I will Move all of my Cavalry to one side if the terrins suits it or the enemy is fairly weak on one side.

So that formation is by no means used all the time, but it has served me well.

Precisely http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
You can't be rigid.




Quote[/b] ]Hmmmm. So the consensus seems to be that you should have spears up front, cav on the flanks, MAA either also on the flanks or in a third row, behind the archers?

Doesn't it seem logical that your best basic melee units should be up front? If an enemy has his spears fighting your MAAs, his spears will be whipped. If the enemy tries to trump your swords by putting cavalry in their center line, you just got them to surrender their cavalry's two greatest assets -- maneuverability and the charge. Once they are in the melee, they can only with difficulty pull back for charges.


Also, alot of people like symmetry -- they want an even number of bows or whatever, or equal cavalry on both flanks. I often experiment with assymmetry -- massing mounted crossbows to harrass and isolate an enemy in a reconnaissance away from the main body of troops; massing cavalry on one flank to achieve local superiority and turn THAT flank (maybe the other one is anchored by woods); or leaving tough anvil defenders like halberds on one flank and concentrating attacker units on the other flank.
What I was talking about is to have a template for battle, but this can be adapted for each situation, depending on enemy army formation.
I also explore assimetric formations. However, sometimes, when the enemy army has certain type of units and a certain type of arrangement, the assimetric formation is at an disadvantage.

In general, simetric formations, less capable for attack, more capable of troop protection. Assimetric formations, more capable for attack, less capable of troop protection.

But, of course, it depends on the units you have available and the opposing enemy units and formation...

[Rodafowa]

I tend to deploy in the same sort of formation whether on attack or in defence. Archers up front, spears in a line close behind, swords in the third rank and cavalry on each wing, with the general's unit in a fire-fighting position at the rear.

On attack, the plan is to harrass the enemy into a charge out of their defensive position with the missile troops, who scuttle back behind the spears as the enemy get closer then re-form to keep shooting. The spearmen get to do the dirty work of keeping the enemy busy while the shock troops and cav perform flanking charges.

Same sort of idea on defence, only if at all possible I'll find myself a hill close to my edge of the battlefield and deploy not in a straight line, but more a sort of u-shaped wagon train of spears that makes it tough to flank me, creating a sanctuary in the middle of them for the shocks and cav to lurk until needed. Being close to your own edge of the map is a slightly risky proposition in that if units rout they scarecely ever have time to rally before departing, but has two major advantages in that it allows you to recieve reinforcements much, much quicker than your enemy, and almost always ensures that you're going to be fighting tired troops (who've spent five minutes marching across the battlefield to get to you) with your fresh ones.

I've also discovered after painful experience that it's a good idea to keep a couple of light cav units lurking off the hill because you don't want to pull apart your solid defensive formation to chase down fleeing soldiers, but on the other hand you don't want the enemy getting their nerve back and rallying at some point during their looooooong rout back to their own map-edge.

Obviously a lot depends on what troops each side has available and the terrain, but if I were to have my way that's how every battle would work.

[Zaphod Bebblebrox]

Quote[/b] (The_Emperor @ Dec. 16 2003,13:23)]I like to use my own formations dependent on the situation.

But the most common deployment for me is the following... (it works for advancing towards the enemy)

The initial frontline is of at least Four Spearmen, screening a line of Archers behind (about 3 units). Behind the Archers are the reserves made up of a mix of Men At Arms, Halbs and Shock troops (3 or 4 units strong).

Cavalry are on the flanks beside the Spearmen... often a Mixture of Light and Heavy. The final Heavy Cav Unit is right at the back and preferrably he is the General.

(if the general happens to be an Infantry unit he joins the Second wave of Infantry in the Middle)

spear spear spear spear
Cav Cav archer archer archer Cav Cav
MAA MAA MAA MAA
Gen

Its served me quite well at times.
We seem to have the same idea m8 top hole http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif. On attack I tend to start off with Infantry attack formation as it seems to nearly have things how i prefer. I move the Cav out to the flanks or waypoint them to a outflanking or rear attack position and it seems to be working quite well.

On Defence i employ a similar tactic depending what the Army defending is made up of

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