My First Experience with EB

[Foot]

Chariots are there to disrupt not to fight. Use them and their javelins to whittle down the opponents infantry but be careful of enemy skirmishers, archers or slingers as they will tear your chariots apart. Chariots are generally good against cavalry. Against light infantry they'll die quickly so don't even approach them. Their uses against heavy infantry are generally to push through the formation, disrupting it and making holes, which you can then fill with lighter troops. Once a unit of heavy infantry is out of formation it loses a lot of its strength.

Generally, melee with chariots is a mistake.

Foot

[The Celtic Viking]

Chariots are there to disrupt not to fight. Use them and their javelins to whittle down the opponents infantry but be careful of enemy skirmishers, archers or slingers as they will tear your chariots apart. Chariots are generally good against cavalry. Against light infantry they'll die quickly so don't even approach them. Their uses against heavy infantry are generally to push through the formation, disrupting it and making holes, which you can then fill with lighter troops. Once a unit of heavy infantry is out of formation it loses a lot of its strength.

Generally, melee with chariots is a mistake.

Foot

What he said. The Celtic chariots, the Cidainh, are easily amongst my favourite units, and that's not solely based on their good looks or general coolness. Any cavalry foolish enough to expose themselves to these guys will be obliterated in a matter of seconds. There's not even a contest: chariots will win you a flank. Once they've done that, they'll be a nightmare for your enemy when they get around their backs.

Of course, in a melee against anything but cavalry, they'll die, just like they will if put against any ranged unit worth it's salt. They're expensive and extremely poor fighters in towns (though they have their uses even there, by giving your own men courage and striking fear into the hearts of your enemy), so they're not without weaknesses. Still worth it, though, if not in too great numbers.

[procopius1980]

I tried exclusively flanking with Chariots this evening and it's quite nice.

I was at Ictus (which takes way too long to reach). I made the mistake of trying to reinforce my army before entering the field. That ended with me being caught in winter and my men's morale suffered thanks to rationing.

I tried a second time by using my boat to transport my army faster. I still tried to bring in more men that I created at my one city, but they didn't make it to the fight before the Ictus garrison sallied forth. My heir was slain in personal combat against the garrison general. He was to have been supported by a unit of Celtic spearmen, but they didn't work up the courage to charge until after the our general was slain. From there, I moved that unit of spearmen back with the Gallic shortswords and the other unit of spears. The Gallics swords took a beating from the spears thrown before the charge, but the remaining general (2 in this army) did so much damage running from right to left that several units of the Ictus garrison routed. I followed up by charging all infantry and allowing the chariots to pursue the routers.

The battle ended when all units on the field routed. I suffered 48% casualties to their 50%, but bear in mind they outnumbered me 2 - 3. I am very happy with chariots, but I miss the glory of the cavalry charge!

Lesson learned: By using chariot flanking tactics, I can defeat the entire Ictus garrison on VH/VH with just my two generals, 2 Celtic Spears, and 1 Gallic sword.

I ran into a little technical problem whose solution I have read on this site, but I've read so many things that I cannot remember where I read it. I made the mistake of loading a save point without activating the EB script. Since doing so, I am passing a year and two turns, and there's no movement penalty in Winter. If someone doesn't mind telling me what to do, I would greatly appreciate the help!

[Ludens]

Lesson learned: By using chariot flanking tactics, I can defeat the entire Ictus garrison on VH/VH with just my two generals, 2 Celtic Spears, and 1 Gallic sword.

Just in case you overlooked it: recommended difficulty for EB is VH campaign, M battles. Any battle difficulty above M will give A.I. troops large stat bonuses. VH doesn't make the A.I. more clever, it just allows their militia to beat up your veterans. Using a frail unit like chariots at VH is always going to be difficult.

Some people argue you should also use H or M campaigns, because then the A.I. factions are more willing to negotiate.