How do I get these guys to attack me!?

**Praetor Diego** · 11-21-2008, 05:11

I agree with you in multiplayer, but during a single palyer game the IA doesnt represent a big challenge, and you can win with minimal casualities easily. And in short time. Even in sieges. And defensive battles are even easier.

**Nobo** · 11-21-2008, 08:05

I have never had any problems with the timer... the 40 minutes are usually more than enough time for me to finish (or be finished off)

**MarcusAureliusAntoninus** · 11-21-2008, 09:49

I just roleplay that the timer is when the sun is setting. When the sun sets, I'm (or the enemy is) forced to disengage to prevent disorder amoungst the ranks.

**Tartaros** · 11-21-2008, 10:07

i don´t use the timer in eb.
sieging towns and fighting with lowbudgettroops against phalanx need a lot of time, but i remember shogun where i stop an enemy army with one unit of light cav, riding around the countryside...

**Titus Marcellus Scato** · 11-21-2008, 17:58

In reality, no ancient army (except a HA army) would attack a phalanx-army that was on top of a hill. A phalanx was very hard to penetrate frontally on level ground. Trying to do it while struggling uphill would be suicidal, unless the attackers had a massive numerical advantage.

So the AI is doing the right thing by not attacking under such unfavourable circumstances. It is better for them to wait at the bottom of the hill and force you to attack them.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 11-22-2008, 01:07

Originally Posted by Titus Marcellus Scato

In reality, no ancient army (except a HA army) would attack a phalanx-army that was on top of a hill. A phalanx was very hard to penetrate frontally on level ground. Trying to do it while struggling uphill would be suicidal, unless the attackers had a massive numerical advantage.

Battle of Cynoscephalae. The Romani crushed the 25-30 thousand almost all-phalanx Makedonian army with only 500 dead. Philip V and his phalanxes were on top of a hill (a couple of side-by-side hills actually).

Why did you state the horse-archer army as an exception? Cavalry generally needs/prefers flat, unbroken ground and shooting someone who is on top of a hill is not exactly advantageous. Plus, a pike or a hoplite phalanx was highly resilient to missile fire.

**Intranetusa** · 11-22-2008, 08:52

Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus

Battle of Cynoscephalae. The Romani crushed the 25-30 thousand almost all-phalanx Makedonian army with only 500 dead. Philip V and his phalanxes were on top of a hill (a couple of side-by-side hills actually).

Why did you state the horse-archer army as an exception? Cavalry generally needs/prefers flat, unbroken ground and shooting someone who is on top of a hill is not exactly advantageous. Plus, a pike or a hoplite phalanx was highly resilient to missile fire.

The Romans suffered way more casualties than 500. Roman historians tended to exaggerate enemy numbers and understate their own casualties/unit numbers to make themselves seem more heroic. And I believe the Romans outnumbered the Makedonians 3 to 2 in that battle as well.