Post your Empire battle formations

[Sheogorath]

In the Napoleonic era, massed batteries rule. The early cannon in the game though are not quite that effective, so the best way to use them is to deploy them in the gaps between infantry units (pretty much as done historically, in fact).

I like to always deploy in two lines, with the cavalry behind in a third line (usually out on the flanks), ready to charge out and wreck havoc. Second line is never set to fire at will... you need to manually control that, unless you'd like to have them shoot your first line in the back.

If the enemy only attacks one end of your line, swing your other troops round to enfilade them at the double.

Some light infantry thrown out in front of your army can be very effective. They get to fire first at long range (causing the enemy attack to become more chaotic as they try to deploy) and can then fall back on your main body of troops (never let them get into a firefight).

This is actually (more or less) the preferred historical Russian strategy during the Napoleonic Wars. They usually deployed their infantry in columns in a 'checkerboard' pattern with artillery in the front gaps. This generally enabled their close support arty to do the most damage in most situations to the enemy infantry, while the Russian infantry closed as quickly as possible to melee. The arty took the place of musket volleys, since the Ruskies were generally such terrible shots.

Somebody ought to try a good ol' Russian Rush and see what happens

[A Very Super Market]

Terrible shots? Everybody was horrible at shotting back then..

[Sheogorath]

Terrible shots? Everybody was horrible at shotting back then..

The Russians were renowned for their terrible marksmanship, even at a time when you probably couldn't put two shots in the same square inch of space from five yards away.
I believe there is a quote from a French officer who noted that a group of Russians fired on his men from sixty paces and failed to inflict a single casualty.
Naturally, as with all armies, there was a great deal of variation, so there were probably some Russian units with excellent marksmanship, but these would be rare.

Essentially it was down to training. Russian linesmen were allowed two shots per month for training. I think the British allowed 24 or so for line troops, of course, they would have a higher than normal standard for marksmanship...

[Strategy]

Well, here of course you place your troops in long lines, but I tend to keep a few infantry (maybe 20% of the total force) in columns at the back for a rapid reserve force (either to punch with if the enemy charge or to deploy in lines if one of the front forces fail).

Also, don't forget the usefulness of asking your front line to fall back and letting the second line step forward to take up firing position.

One aspect I like about the game is the way 18th Century tactics actually play out pretty well in this game. In that sense, it is perhaps the most historically faithful of the TW games.

[Namarie22]

I use the collapsing line as Sweden, works well, cavalry on either side.. Think it's called that anyway, you collapse the middle and surround the enemy completely and quickly with it.

Always put DEATH on the enemy.... :P

[Zatoichi]

So far, terrain permitting, I've been having a lot of success with a snaking line - the firing arcs overlap and can set up some decent killing zones which the enemy has to traverse to get into melee. It helps to have your flanks protected by a couple of reserve units to stop envelopment - these can then swing round and create a crossfire once the enemy has committed.

Mind you, I'm still playing the RTI campaign, so this formation may be terrible against a better set of enemies on higher difficulty!

Stupid work keeping me away from my precioussss!