100 year problem

[Tribesman]

I am seriously stuck in the French historical campaign .
I eliminate all the units hiding outside the castle ,I breach the walls on two sides then destroy as many towers as possible , then I try to draw out as many units as I can , but no matter what I do I alwasys end up with my general (joan of arc) routing whenever I enter the castle .
Another unbelievable occurence is attacking exposed Longbows with Chivalric Knights (level 2 armour and weapons at level 1)hitting them in the flank (tried in both line and wedge)and losing , how the hell does that happen ?
Any helpful hints would be appreciated

[katank]

how is the valor on those longbows?

BTW, they get 3 attack with armor piercing so they can really chew up those armored knights if you aren't careful.

the only thing wrong with them is low attack and if armored up, they are actually better than FMAA due to better attack vs. armor.

[Tribesman]

I havn't noticed any valour flags in the historical campaigns , maybe I should look closer .
I even tried hitting them in both flanks after getting them to persue my crossbows , Feudal Knights one side and chivalrics on the other , the Chivalric Knights still got massacared to the point of routing. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

[katank]

that's still very strange.

is it only a single unit of longbows? if hit on both flanks by knights in wedge, that should still be an instant rout maybe short melee if high valor.

have you tried using single line formation, change to wedge, charge and after the charge finishes to switch to cloase to have wrap around effect?

[Oaty]

That is a tough 1 and what makes it so hard is that when units are defending in a castle they will fight to the death. It's been over a year since I done that campaign. It may not be that the longbowmen are killing its the fact they are able to hold out while the castle towers hit your guys. Heres the little bit of help I can offer.

First try to kill off all of there reenforcements as if you do'nt you will have to fight them again if they make it into the castle. Most of your units are good units, but you also get some loser spearmen and peasants. Heres the trick enter the castle on 3 different side. Of course before you enter try to back off your troops to minimize the casualries from the castle towers. When you have fired off all your cannon shot hit all the gaps in the walls at once. Send in your best actualy everything but the spearmen peasants and crossbowmen and joan of arc but have them following close behind. The fighting will be tough but your troops should start flooding into the castle once you make headway in the gaps. This is where those loser peasants come in handy because as soon as you make headway you can rush them in and these are the numbers you need to win.

I might still have the replay of it so if your still having trouble with it, I'll see if I can dig it up and e-mail it to you

[TonkaToys]

This was discussed elsewhere, and I seem to remember the consensus was to do as you have done... handle the guys outside, breach outer walls in two places and draw people out.
However I think the point was made that you had top get into the inner castle walls, and that by attacking the rear of the castle (furthest from Joan's starting point) you could destroy both inner and outer walls easily and force your way in there.

Bit vague... but the thread is out there somewhere

[Imperial Buffoon]

The longbows won't rout when defending a siege if they have some valour upgrade. Remember the morale bonus for no retreat katank's suggestion of wrapping around them should do, but you may also need some kind of arrow fire.

[katank]

I think you also need to dangle Joan in the front as bait and lure the enemy troops after her so you have an easier time on the other side.

getting her mowed down by longbow fire isn't recommended though http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif