Question about "Good Defense/Attack"

[putts]

Does this refer to the action the group is performing or what your army as a whole is doing.

AKA.....if I am Defending a province and I use some Vikings to flank a group of attacking enemies, do my Vikings receive the bonus for their "Good Attack" or not? Technically, they're Defending my Province but at that moment they, personally, are on the attack.


Also, only slightly related......I know with spears you should always have Hold Position/Formation because they work best like that. Would that also be the case if I was using a group of Foot as my front line in a Defensive formation? Technically, the foot should work better while Engaging at Will but will they hold better on a Defensive set up like a group of Spears?

Thanks.

[bondovic]

The atk/def stats apply to the individual unit, not the army as a whole.

The hold formation transfers atk to def. But, really, spears are for the line. Pin the attackers with spears, hope and pray the don't rout your line, win the battle for the flanks using your foots then rear end the silly sods who are pinned against your line. Screen your flanks with light cavalry. Start playing the Turks.

Gl & hf!

[Martok]

Does this refer to the action the group is performing or what your army as a whole is doing.

AKA.....if I am Defending a province and I use some Vikings to flank a group of attacking enemies, do my Vikings receive the bonus for their "Good Attack" or not? Technically, they're Defending my Province but at that moment they, personally, are on the attack.

As bondovic said, all unit stats apply regardless of whether you're attacking or defending. In other words, those Vikings will receive their full attack stats no matter what.

Also, only slightly related......I know with spears you should always have Hold Position/Formation because they work best like that. Would that also be the case if I was using a group of Foot as my front line in a Defensive formation? Technically, the foot should work better while Engaging at Will but will they hold better on a Defensive set up like a group of Spears?

Thanks.

On defense, sword and pole-arm infantry (i.e., FMAA, Halberdiers, etc.) are generally best used to flank the enemy while your spears/pikes pin them. I do tend to keep a couple units in reserve as well (in case the enemy somehow breaks through my center), but I still mostly use them to flank.

[Knight of the Rose]

But then again things are situational I've found that in one spanish campaign I could churn out CS from day one (high/vanilla VI). 100 men (standard size) armor and good defence. Not a bad unit overall - upkeep somewhat low as well.

So I used stacks with 8-10 CS bringing a huge number of men on the battlefield, used 3-4 in center to pin the enemy, rest of them hit the flank. The jinites then ran all the way to the enemys rear and made the surrounding complete. This tended to work against most units, and even when they in themselves performed badly, they opened a number of tactical options.

Of course you shoudn't bring a spear to do a swords job, but when you have a lot of spears they'll have to do.

well, just my opinion anyways

/KotR

[Caerfanan]

The hold formation transfers atk to def.

Hi, Err, do you know what that would mean for a 5 atk 0 def Gallowglass for instance? Would they turn 0 atk, 5 def, or is it something else? Or for a -1 atk and 4 def unit?
(you seem to be quite the modder according to the other threads so I guess that you know a lot about the game's mechanics?)

[bondovic]

Hi, Err, do you know what that would mean for a 5 atk 0 def Gallowglass for instance? Would they turn 0 atk, 5 def, or is it something else? Or for a -1 atk and 4 def unit?
(you seem to be quite the modder according to the other threads so I guess that you know a lot about the game's mechanics?)

It is -1 from attack and +1 to defence. So Gallo would become 4 atk 1 def. But don't do it! They need to either wedge into a strong spear unit or hit someone in the flank/rear and disperse among them on impact. Having them on hold formation will not allow them to do that.

Everything I know about the game mechanics I learned from here. Frogbeastegg's guide is very nice. Some other thread listing useful info also about bonuses and such.

[predaturd]

you mean my one?

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=96346

that says -2 attack and +2 defence though so care to show me proof of it onyl being -1 +1 so i can update it?

[bondovic]

you mean my one?

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=96346

that says -2 attack and +2 defence though so care to show me proof of it onyl being -1 +1 so i can update it?

a) That's the one!

b) You're absolutely right! -2/+2 it is. Sorry 'bout that.

[caravel]

It is -2/+2. This can be bonus to defensive units such as spearmen but a crippler to purely offensive ones such as Ghazi Infantry.

[Brave]

I suppose that leaves them naked in the sun. Not a shread of armour to protect them.