Tactics in R:TW?

[Quietus]

OK, this is day 2 of RTW and I've hit some bad turbulence while reading the boards.
1. Is this a Cavalry game where the horses are running on crack and "to flank or not to flank" is your only question?
2. Is it true the AI is scripted to only attack head-on, and that your (AI-controlled) allies are suicidal maniacs?

Hey Adrian,

1. Initially you really get crappy troops. You have to flank to win. I guess it depends on the units too. Gaul units especially the Warbands, first yell like crazy (to lower your morale) then chaaaarrge!!!. The only thing you can do is charge back and flank with cav or other units. (missiles are pretty much worthless due to speed) Although missiles will work very effectively vs. Hoplites (they walk slow and can't run). Again, like I said you can't build a lot of troops or you'll go broke. I hired a hoplites merc out of necessity and they are sloooowww.

Right now it is in the 250s, and I have about 41000+ denari. Looks big, but if a war erupts among the Roman factons it ain't going to last. Hastati upkeep is 170 denari, Town watch is 110, so you get the picture on. In a couple more turns I will be building Principes. Hopefully those are better shock absorbers.

As for Equites only army (54 per unit), you'll lose alot of money because they only good for flanking. You charge them head-on against a warband(120) they won't last very long. Regular price for Equites(54) is 390 denari, Hastati(80) is 440d, while Town Watch(80) is 150d. You gotta find a cheap upkeep army that will be comparably durable. Romans aren't horsemen either so it is inaccurate ( the major reason I don't use too many horses).

2. For friendly AI, they go suicidal. Early in the game, I stormed a Gallic town, one of my family member general was included in the reinforcement. He charged alone on the other side of the town and got slaughtered. You can control AI reinforcement though if it isn't led by a General, just a captain (and your 20 slot isn't full). Generals must be a family member. I have done it a number of times it has become a tactic When I can't, I just try to beat the friendly AI to the battle so the General won't get killed. They just walk.

For enemy AI, have only fought the Gaul & Rebel armies so far. All they do is charge, no missiles as far as I know. AI Cavalry is so fast you gotta pause because weave in and out like fish in the water. One thing that irks me is if you barely beat them with a block, they still penetrate or go around your blocker like they aren't there. Remember in MTW, when you block a cav trying to hit your archers, some of them go around the sides. Here, they can go through all the way. They do this when they are charging your General or Archers/Velites.

Oh well, the campaign is getting hectic. The Senate is giving me crazy missions and my reward was a mercenary unit or $1000 denari (for capturing a Carthagian town) Now I have a two-front war and Carthage owns the Mediterraenean Sea.

It's great though, the campaign is long and continuous, like you're making you're own story or should I say History.

[Adrian II]

Quietus, where would I be without you? I'll repay you in kind if ever I can. So I gather the game has completely different challenges from STW and MTW, like concentrating on the long term (building durable armies and strengthening your family faction) and all sorts of new battlefield phenomena (the Cavalry run-through effect, etcetera). As long as these are equally exciting as the old ones I guess it's no big loss, it's just become a whole different game. I still don't like what I hear about the AI, though I realise it's early days. And i do like what I hear about the strategic map and the battlefield maps being more or less integrated, that seems to be a really new feature and working well, too.

Oh well, the campaign is getting hectic. The Senate is giving me crazy missions and my reward was a mercenary unit or $1000 denari (for capturing a Carthagian town)

Yeah, I can tell you're up poo creek, and boy do you love it!