Bridges-WTF???

[The Ronin]

3 times I have positioned an army at a bridge crossing in a defensive position to help counter against larger armies on the other side. 3 times they (AI) have attacked this position. When we get on the battlefield for deployment we get the "advice" on how to defend the bridge. There's only one problem....there isn't no bridge!!! Now I'm facing these huge armies on just a regular battlefield and heavily outnumbered!!! Is this a bug, or am I doing something wrong??? I'm playing a short campaign as the Jullii on I believe M/M or whatever the default is, I haven't changed anything. Can someone explain this or link me to where this discussion might be. Thanks

[Krusader]

Exactly where do you position your armies at the bridge/river crossings?

If you want to defend a bridge, you must place your army directly on top of it.

If you place it on the "tile" near it/other side of the enemy army, and the computer attacks, it will count as the army has just crossed the river, and formed upon in front of your army, and with the bridge/river crossing at his back!

[hoof]

Bridge fights on undeveloped crossings (no roads of any kind) are a little different. If you played the demo, you saw a scenario where the Romans crossed the river to fight the Carthaginians. There was no road, so the troops crossed a ford.

This is the likely situation. Defence is similar, except the ford is much wider than a bridge and harder to defend. Look at the river, you should see a much shallower portion. That should be the crossing.

[The Ronin]

Thanks, I didn't know you had to place your army ON the bridge though I don't know why you get the advice dialog for defending a bridge when there isn't even one on the battlefield. As for the second reply, on the battlefields I'm getting, theres no river or bridge. Just these massed armies ready to thump me good. Sometimes the "Monty Python" approach works and it's just time to "run away...run away"...thanks all

[master of the puppets]

never had this problem... come to think of it the only bridges i've encountered are the egyptians on the nile. never the less, if you notice on the campaign map there are bridges and rivers with two sandy tan banks on each side. the ones with the sandy banks are probably fords or mabey fjords (all hail leif ericson, ahinder hinder hinder).

_______________
dictionary entry
army:a large mass of men assembled to solve a diplomats mistakes.

[HarunTaiwan]

I always enjoy watching the computer rebels charge the bridge as a mass wave and have 50% of their units plunge into the river and die.

I guess they are blind soldiers who can't swim.

[Red Harvest]

I always enjoy watching the computer rebels charge the bridge as a mass wave and have 50% of their units plunge into the river and die.

I guess they are blind soldiers who can't swim.

Beware though, every once in awhile the AI pulls a fast one. I was attacing the AI's end of a bridge with two phalanx units. The AI rushed in at my men parked on the bridge head. I watched the AI units wheel and men proceed down the bank and toe the water beneath and behind my units. Wearily I waited for the inevitable mass drowning. Suddenly the men on the river banks climbed onto the bridge...behind me! I had to rush another unit across to prevent my phalangites from routing. While accidental, it was one of the most clever things I've seen the AI do.

[Alphidius]

To have bridge battles IIRC your army must be position on the bridge on the map just like what Krusader said.

It is good to have range units when defending a bridge. Once had a Germania army of 8 Spear Warband and 4 Infantry attack my army of 14 Roman units. No doubt the ratio were in my favour there's no telling what might happen when fighting those dreaded Spearmen. My range units manage to route one of their spearmen while crossing and reduce another half in numbers.

When the acutally melee came, it wasn't too difficult. Killing the General helps alot I guess. IMHO bridge battles are the most fun. ~D

[sapi]

One tip - never try to defend a bridge with hopelites. Everyone knows how they move right, and everyone knows that units that fall off the bridge die. Put 2 and 2 together, don't risk it, although it can work if you have a lot of archers.

[The Stranger]

i've won 50 battles on the same bridge with every time the same tactics
and i butchered them every time and the a=end i had 4 9 chevron foresters and 8 5 chevron chosen swordsmen and a 35 year old general every general that stood on that bridge became faction leader weird and loads of cavalry

[Oaty]

It does get annoying with A.I. worthlessy using there troops to assault a bridge/crossing. Hopefully in the patch the A.I. will lay siege to the battlefield. Basically walk up to the bridge and park there instead of assaulting it. So you can either leave your army there, fight through or back off to get the comp to attack you.