Forts...

[Kraxis]

So, have anyone fought battles around or in a fort? I haven't heard much about it, and would like to know how it plays out. Also if the forts don't generate much in terms of battles is that sign that they are doing well or bad?

[Oaty]

I've assaulted a fort that I discovered that was on my land built by the gauls on the edge of my territory so I assaulted it and won it. They built it right on the other side of a hill where I built mine so that is why I did not notice it at first but it seems maybe when you build a fort it provokes the A.I. to. As maybe it sees your at a standoff and figures it should do the same. Anyways the only reason I built the fort there was it was a choke point in between multiple cities and was a very good place to put troops and wanted to build one for the fun of it. but as far as the A.I. building them it seems rare. Think of a fort as one of those little forts from MTW except that they are square

[Kraxis]

Ah, so they have a low pallisade around a square enclosure? And easy to take?

[Tamur]

Fort battles are great fun... I have never assaulted a fort, so I don't know about strategies to take them. I've had armies in them being assaulted though. If the attackers have a lot of missile units or bring along seige equipment then you've got trouble, because the wall is very low and not strong at all.

In any case, you can sally out of the back gate with your cavalry and harass the enemy flanks while trying to get them within range of the small arrow-firing towers in the fort.

One option that has worked very well is to have a diplomat near your border area, and fortify any passes or river crossings. Then when an enemy comes up and unexpectedly hits your fort, you can hold them off while moving your diplomat up to... buy them off! Then the enemy assault army just melts into the countryside, and you can get reinforcements up to the fort to hold off the next group.

[Doug-Thompson]

I think the AI is more afraid of forts than it should be. I've had a fort garrisoned by weak, second-rate troops keep a whole Macedonian field army at bay.

Pure speculation, but I don't think either the player or the AI can see what's in a fort without a spy. It may be a couple of garrison units. It might be your best general with legions, and the AI isn't going to attack to find out.

So if you have an important fort, perhaps it's worthwhile to keep an assassin inside.

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One thing I've noticed is that when you're whipped and a fort is nearby, your army retreats to the fort rather than flee a long way.

[Kraxis]

Hmm... The forts certainly sounds fun. Towers and walls, like a small town. Are there tents and all that? How does it look? Screenshots would be great.

What do the assassin do? Is he there for killing the enemy general should he capture the fort or open the gates?

[Tamur]

Fort!

http://www.mbc.umt.edu/sTemp/misc/fort.jpg

[Tamur]

The centre flag is where units run who rout, so they're actually VERY nice for conservation of strength if your wall can hold up... and if the routing units haven't got someone trailing close behind them.

[Kraxis]

NAJS!!!! ('nice' when written in danish, not translated) ~;p

It is a beauty! I think I will build them all over! Just for the fun of it.
What are those things near the gates? Those on the walls, looking like stregthenings.

[Doug-Thompson]

What do the assassin do? Is he there for killing the enemy general should he capture the fort or open the gates?

Kill spys that would discover what troops are in your fort.

[Kraxis]

Do you get plunder if you take a fort? It would seem plausible since the camp is in there, and camps were often plundered.

[Tamur]

??? Good question Kraxis! I don't know, never had to take one. Someone who's taken one know the answer?