The wall tactic

[Hiroshi-O'Duff]

In relation to my last post about having a crapload of Yari Samurai attacking, I found a new attack strategy as well.

Maybe this is old hat to most of you, but I found it very useful.

When ATTACKING or DEFENDING, I tend to make a large, wide wall of Samurai (and Ashi) with archers behind them, and flankers to the sides and often behind for covering weak spots.

FFFF SSSS SSSS SSSS SSSS SSSS SSSS SSSS FFFF
FFFF FFFF
AAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA AAAAAAA

Now, the trick is to make sure that the line of Samurai is the same width as the enemy lines, even if that means some shallower groups of YS.

Then I tell the whole group to move forward (select all with Ctrl+A) by clicking just past the enemy lines.

This runs all of my dudes in for attack, and they attack the groups as they collide with them. Then the flankers run past the enemy and slide in behind (usually to attack archers) or to really pound on tougher troops.

If the enemy is mostly Samurai or Ashi, this works amazingly well. If they have shock troops, you'll need more flankers behind your initial line to cover gaps and keep up the morale.

Whattaya think?

Duff

[Steeleye]

Haven't tried this exactly, but doing the 'clicking behind enemy line' thing certainly gets over having to indivually target each of your units, which can be a pain (this is often the cause of the mistake of many newbies,who send all of their units against one of yours, which is a recipe for confusion disaster..).

Got to say that this is in the 'unsubtle' category of assaults - most monk-dependant players use this tactic by having a wall of monks slamming into your line all at once, which kicks your morale big time, but doesn't neccesarily make a very interesting battle.

Kyodaispan

[ShaiHulud]

I'm not sure they are most effectively used in that manner. They forego the benefits of a charge, do they not? And, I've noticed, while the front few seem to be engaged in fighting, the unit is still regarded as 'moving'. It is unclear to me if that harms unit fighting ability.

Likewise, sending the troops in while the archers are still loaded with arrows seems a misuse of the 'artillery', as it were. I hold back attacks, usually, until my archers are depleted and can no longer affect the battle that way.

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Wind fells blossoms, rain
fells steel,yet bamboo bends and drinks

[Hiroshi-O'Duff]

Actually, no they don't. You just need to make sure to press Ctrl+R after you send them all (to make them RUN instead of march).

I tend to double-click every movement anyway, so my guys tend to run all the time.

http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

Duff

ah, a word lame comes to mind, but hey, whatever makes your day http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif
...guess i'm not the right person to ask

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go Maple Leafs (http://www.torontomapleleafs.com/home.html) !!!

[Hiroshi-O'Duff]

Really, what ends up happening for the most part is that when the armies get up close, I start telling specific units where to attack, specifically.

If you're concerned about being in "moving" status or missing out on charge bonuses, you can use the tactic to get close, then pause the game and make specific attacks...

Duffer

[RageFury]

this may well work against the pc..and mayy even be tactically sound(although i disagree on that too)

But go online and use that tactic an u will be dead in 30 seconds flat

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lIKE MY SHAVING BLADE? :)

[Dunhill]

I think you might lose some attack/charge bonuses, as the units might be classified as trying to move instead of attack, which often happens when trying to flank with a unit, you get caught a bit on another unit while moving. I don't think this helps.

I think the better choice would be to start off a bit further back and after giving the move order, then start giving attack orders for each unit along the line.

However, I think the assault depends on your opponent being rather static, and not worrying about your flank.

[Catiline]

And lo, the Hoplite Phalanx was discovered

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It's not a bug, it's a feature

[shingenmitch2]

Fury, you're over compensating with that blade again ... ;-)

Cat - eventually he will evolve the longer sarisa, but it seems to me even Alexander was more flexible.... hehe

Shai - I've wondered about that "moving" as opposed to "attacking" status of units, they might not get all the bonuses they could, but I don't think they are penalized.

Hiroshi, maybe Fury and I will have a chance to show u the error of your ways ;-)
You have a solid start tho.


[This message has been edited by shingenmitch2 (edited 05-02-2001).]

[edRonin]

I do a slight variation on this manuever. When I find the enemy I decide which direction I am going attack from. I get my troops organized and then single click a point in the middle of the enemy troops (being careful not to click on an enemy unit). This gets my troops moving towards the enemy in an organized fashion. Once I am closer I start to micro manage the attack and pick certain units to attack with a specific unit of my own. I use to click on a position before the enemy troops but if you forget to order units to attack they will stupidly wait 10 yards away from the melee. By clicking behind the enemy they will be more likely to run into an enemy unit and engage it. You can get flanked or poor match ups if you do this, but that is better than having only half of your army engaging the troops.

The only caveat I include is that I usually don't do this with the cav units. They are vulnerable to yari so I like to keep them out of trouble. Plus they are fast enough that I like to use them to flank.