Skirmisher Style Armies

[Weebeast]

If you're using skirmishers exclusively then take care of cavalry first. Turn off skirmishing and skirmish manually. I do get lazy though so I usually just sacrifice one unit to keep on running and eventually eat the cavalry charge while the bulk of the army harasses theirs. In my Romani campaign, my African detachments are made up of levy skirmishers and Numidian cav as I need my factional troops on Sweboz frontier *grumble*. I can suppress 3-settlement Qarthadhastim easy even if they're led by twenty-something bodyguard unit. It's great for open field battles not so much at city assault though.

[The Celtic Viking]

I'm not sure if I say something you know already, but the units are only balanced if you play with medium battle difficulty. Otherwise, the AI units will get bonuses that make them fight better than they should.

In any case, the most important things (that I can help you with, anyway) have already been covered, and it was a long time since I played as the Lusotannan so I can't help much more with the specifics. You can always try ambushing your enemy, though; your units - and especially the AP-armed infantry named above - are well suited for that, and it's a tactic the historical Iberian tribes were very fond of. It's very effective in-game as well.

[Scutarii]

Sorry, I'm not running 100% skirmishers.

I have a few battle armies with a mix of the combat capable troops who finish the job and several smaller ambushing type skirmisher srmies to weaken the enemy and keep random eleutheroi in check.

Seems I've been using my troops wrong. The cheaper Caetrannan I've been using as spam and hold troops to throw in front of whatever comes (I move them up close, put them in guard ad then fire at will) and using the more 'elite' spearmen as flankers...I guess I've just been looking at the raw attack stat rather than the special abilities and the charge values.

I'm disappointed to hear the computer just gets bonuses on different difficulties...Most games do it that though. Does the AI change intelligence at different difficulties as there have been a few times when I've been saved because the AI does something stupid (I blame the Quarthidashtim senate!) like marching a full stack (including 6 yes 6 unit of different expensive sacred XXX elites with a 7 star general into the desert to garrison Tuat and not move from there for 12 seasons).

Also I know that trees are meant to be to the advantage of skirmishers but I find them the opposite, missile fire does very little in amongst the trees (except javelins to the back!) and it is difficult to see what is happening and give orders (I initially played from the generals point of view, zoomed right in but changed quickly as it just wasn't workable).

I have tried ambushes myself, but every time (EVERY time) they fail, I get the message that the ambush has failed and the enemy has time to prepare, is there some way to make an ambush more likely (apart from with characters as they don't seem to get ambush traits...I assume they actually need to ambush someone to get those!)?

Lessons.

1. Turn off auto skirmish and micro manage instead
2. multiple lines of smirmishers
3. trust my infantry to actually fight!

[antisocialmunky]

Use lusto light infantry, they have AP swords. As long as you don't have a cavalry defecit and the enemy is stupid enough to chase after you, you should be able to win even against a human.

[DaciaJC]

Also I know that trees are meant to be to the advantage of skirmishers but I find them the opposite, missile fire does very little in amongst the trees (except javelins to the back!) and it is difficult to see what is happening and give orders (I initially played from the generals point of view, zoomed right in but changed quickly as it just wasn't workable).

If you're having trouble with huge trees, see this thread.

At Hard/Very Hard battle difficulty, the AI gets boni in morale and defense, if not more. At Hard/Very Hard campaign difficulty, the AI will get increasingly stubborn and usually concentrate its forces solely on wiping the human player out.

And yes, trust your infantry to fight. They do a marvelous job (and I finished conquering the whole of the Iberian Peninsula about two weeks ago).

[Moros]

You know I envy you scutarii, I can't remember when I had my last real challenge playing a battle, when not overly outnumbered.

[Julius Augustus]

I had a fun challenging battle yesterday. I had odds of over 12 to 1 against me in a siege battle and almost won. Those are the kinds of battles you treasure.

[Cambyses]

Lusos fight more or less like the Romans, but with spears and decent cavalry. Multiple lines of well armoured javelin throwing infantry can take on anyone head to head. You really shouldnt need to use skirmisher stacks to weaken the enemy. If you get into trouble then try and fight a couple of battles in the woods. Their advantage is 1) ability to hide and 2) much higher morale. That advantage does not directly effect attack capacity - especially with missiles. Just get the enemy to run then hunt them down.