Beginners help

[Budwise]

I am a hardcore veteran of MTW (The Original Version). I understand how to use Spearmen, Archers, Horces and Swordmen with great skill. BUT... I really don't understand the basics of RTW. Is their a guide to the units and what works well and how to use them? Also, is their a basic strategy guide.

[ByzantineKnight]

Here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=78) is a forum with a load of strategy guides, or you could just search for Tactics Guides on the Guild.

Have Fun!!

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi,
Sadly R:TW does not work on the same approach like M:TW. However as a general rule:
All cavalry gets beaten by Spearmen.
Light cavalry usually get beaten by most units excluding archers, horse archers and low level light infantry, they should really just be used for chasing down routing enemies, horse archers and archers.
Heavy cavalry can as a general rule beat light infantry, heavy infantry and light cavalry.
Missile cavalry are good against heavy cavalry, they can outrun them, yet are often beaten by light cavalry and archers who don't have to close with them to kill them.
Heavy infantry generally beat light infantry yet loses to missile units such as bowmen and horse archers which can outrun them. However, although bowmen can outrun them, the infantry's armour can protect them.
Light Infantry generally can close quickly with bowmen leaving them less vulnerable to casualties. They are weak against heavy infantry and heavy cavalry. Some units in this category are useful against light cavalry however.
Missile foot units such as bowmen are useful against heavy infantry and missile cavalry. However they easily get chased down by light cavalry.
Phalanxes are useful against everything that attack them in the front.I hope this helps you. Also this thread (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=55982) could help you too. Cheers!

[professorspatula]

Basic rule of RTW: mass cavalry kills all. Cavalry is also very cheap which is why it's used so much. Spearmen, hoplites and pikemen are just there to hold the enemy infantry whilst your cavalry flank and destroy them, hammer and anvil style.

It's a simplistic look at things, but sadly true. RTW is a bit less tactical than MTW.

[antisocialmunky]

I'd forget pretty much everything I know about MTW. Its the best way to start learning something new, drop your preconcieved notions. RTW has a more intuitive engine for the most part but.. Cavalry is Uber... especially gold chevron general's cavalry.

If you want a more balanced game, I personally like XGM. RTR is good too.

[Budwise]

Thanks everyone. I am a hardcore veteran of MTW so I understand the basic strategies that have been laid out here but I was wondering on the changes. I don't really get the new map style yet but give it time and I will but the new seiges and graphic engine is to die for.

I guess my biggest thing is that I am using this game to prepare myself for MTW2 when I can afford it and the upgrades required for it to be enjoyable. I am so glad I found this game in a bargin bin somewhere and they only charged me five dollars. Its really worth it in my opinion.

[SSJVegetaTrunks]

I heard that in MTW, you attack other provinces RISK-style, where you just attack from province to province. In RTW, each unit has a certain amount of movement points, and can use those movement points to move around, attack, and so forth. In large provinces, it can sometimes take a few turns to get to your target.

[César Victor]

I find the movement points pretty annoying in RTW but it does make the game feel more realistic.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Movement points in R:TW are realistic - to a certain extent. Come on, does it really take six months to move your army half the way across Italy and two years to go all the way through Gaul?