Battle maps

[Angadil]

In another forum I've seen crude ASCII graphics used to explain hypothetical battle formations and accompanying tactics. However, more elaborate drawings representing past battles, no, never seen those nor heard that anyone used them.

[Morgan Frydman]

This is something you see in historical texts all the time, but I'm wondering if there are people in the TW community who draw up maps of their battles and the AI's battles to study (or disseminate) tactics? Asiin, maps showing the initial placement of units, their movements, placements at intermediate stages, etc...?

I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Do you mean getting out a pen and paper before a battle and drawing up your plan of attack/defence?

If so, I've only done that a couple of times, when I really, really needed to win the battle. But it doesn't help that much as the enemy never does what I want.

[Tamur]

What I'm thinking of is a sort-of post mortem on the battle, showing what the movement of troops was, where one side or the other caved in, how many men were thrown at the centre versus the flanks, etc. Usually with large colourful arrows showing the size and speed of movement...

I just finished penciling a simple replay of mine, and I can see why they're not common --- they take a long time! 32 units (1 v 1) and it took about 2 hours. Still, I'll give it a go and see whether it's really worth it in the end.

[Louis VI the Fat]

If you're just curious about whether other people draw those maps, well, no, that's not my thing and would be too time-consuming anyway.

If you're after them to pick up on some fancy moves or new tactics - no haven't heard about such a thing anywhere. But you could try to download some replays here. I've done that, and did pick up a thing or two...

Different people have different styles, and you'll no doubt see some tactics employed that you yourself would just never have thought off - ranging from downright silly to very clever...

[Tamur]

Where would I find replays? I looked on the Org (http://www.totalwar.org/Downloads/MTW_Index.shtml in particular) but found that the Replays link there was dead.

[TonkaToys]

What I'm thinking of is a sort-of post mortem on the battle, showing what the movement of troops was, where one side or the other caved in, how many men were thrown at the centre versus the flanks, etc. Usually with large colourful arrows showing the size and speed of movement...

I just finished penciling a simple replay of mine, and I can see why they're not common --- they take a long time! 32 units (1 v 1) and it took about 2 hours. Still, I'll give it a go and see whether it's really worth it in the end.

That would be quite useful, especially if tied in with a replay. There was a call for people to help newbies (I am no tactical genius, btw), by analysing replays, but somoehow it never quite took off.

[Seven.the.Hun]

i find the game itself moves its troops rather poorly most of the time, granted there are battles where they respond and use the given terrain nicely, or well, at least effectively, but most of the time they do not...
still though there is always that ai advantage of moving all things at once,
took me some practice to do it well when u group units in a large army and manage it all...harder of course with attack, as u gotta start then manage,
but with the whole battle thing, i must say i do like it,
choosing weather to an extent, or better/faster grouping and positioning, unsure which i prefer,
i attack often anyway so i see weather options more, but i like both of those aspects of the battles, good stuff

as far as battle planning, fighting the same battle multiple times with all factors the same except 'what u do' gives good info on it all
custom battle or reloading at certain points is great for this sort of food for thought stuff, i do it all the time