Maltz
10-20-2004, 21:24
I have mentioned this trick before, but now I have tested & exploited this "feature" to a point that the AI is entirely defenseless before me. So may I re-introduce the trick in a stronger tone:
As we besige a settlement, the AI defender sometimes chooses to sally (i.e. to attack out), either because (1) the AI thinks it will kick our a$$, or (2) the AI will starve to death and surrender the city in the next turn.
In both cases, right after entering the battlefield, we can hit Esc, and choose to "exit battle". Normally this means we give up and will suffer a great loss. However, the battle result in this case will be a "draw", and the siege will CONTINUE!
In other words, as we "give up the fighting", the AI defender will reluctantly retreat back into the walls, and stay put for this turn. If this is already the last turn that the settlement would hold - that's the end of the siege! Theoretically, even ONE unit of peasant can successfully starve out a full-garrisoned Rome in 8 turns.
Note1: The invader (that is us) must be attacked by the army INSIDE the settlement. If an nearby enemy army initiates the assault, then we need to fight a regular field battle, so this trick will not work.
Note2: Since the army inside the settlement is starved to death in the last turn, leaving NO garrison in it, there might be a revolt, handing the settlement to the hands of the rebels. Sometimes this can happen, but don't worry - keep the siege going and the rebels will also succumb to you. ~D
As we besige a settlement, the AI defender sometimes chooses to sally (i.e. to attack out), either because (1) the AI thinks it will kick our a$$, or (2) the AI will starve to death and surrender the city in the next turn.
In both cases, right after entering the battlefield, we can hit Esc, and choose to "exit battle". Normally this means we give up and will suffer a great loss. However, the battle result in this case will be a "draw", and the siege will CONTINUE!
In other words, as we "give up the fighting", the AI defender will reluctantly retreat back into the walls, and stay put for this turn. If this is already the last turn that the settlement would hold - that's the end of the siege! Theoretically, even ONE unit of peasant can successfully starve out a full-garrisoned Rome in 8 turns.
Note1: The invader (that is us) must be attacked by the army INSIDE the settlement. If an nearby enemy army initiates the assault, then we need to fight a regular field battle, so this trick will not work.
Note2: Since the army inside the settlement is starved to death in the last turn, leaving NO garrison in it, there might be a revolt, handing the settlement to the hands of the rebels. Sometimes this can happen, but don't worry - keep the siege going and the rebels will also succumb to you. ~D