Battles - Migration from MTW2 to ETW - Tips

[Fwapper]

Flanking is still just as important as ever. If your line is longer than theirs then you can wrap around them and fire on them from behind. Cavalry is also still great for this, although you may want to charge in with bayonets to fix the enemy in place first.

Always keep reserves! You might think it's a waste of firepower but when the enemy has exhausted themselves on your first troops, an influx of fresh men can be decisive. If there are hills you can position the reserves above and behind the first line so they can fire over their heads. Reserves can also be used to plug broken bits of line or push through to turn a flank. So don't commit all your troops at once :)

Artillery was very important in this period and remains so in this game (although many people find it hard to believe ). You can rain metal on the enemy general or artillery from afar - but guns become most lethal once you are within canister shot range. If there is not a high enough hill to put the cannons above the troops so they don't shoot them in the back, it is a good idea to have them integrated into the line thus:

======== Cannons ======== Cannons ========= Cannons ========

The enemy will either stay at range and try to outgun you (unlikely if you spray them with canister shot) or they will charge home with bayonets and cavalry. In this event your reserves move round to flank, fire from behind your line, or join the melée. (Assuming you kept reserves of course)

Once you have light infantry and cannons you can have them charging around to fire on exposed areas, or from behind. Just be sure to keep them out of arms' length when the enemy retaliate. Light infantry can lay stakes if there are threatening cavalry around.

Try never to be charged by cavalry unless you are in square formation - they can get into it suprisingly quickly.

Other than that - the old Total War tactics work pretty well, especially if you have a facton like the Ottomans or Maratha Confederacy who have more antiquated troops.

Buildings offer a lot of protection from bullets but are vulnerable to artillery. Good for units that can't hold a place in the line (like Firelock Armed Citizenry).

Generally go for melée fighting if the enemy are about to break, or if a larger morale shock is needed - or if they have missile superiority :)

Once you have researched Rank Firing it's best to have line infantry in three ranks to maximise firepower. But... if you haven't researched it or have units (like Militia) which can't fire by rank then you can have them spread out as much as possible (almost one rank). However, only do this if they are unlikely to be attacked in melée.

Now don't go beating be in multiplayer