The problem with elephants..

[Red Harvest]

I see circular logic alright. You post a stacked deck "proof" and call me arrogant. Their are some big time problems with the speed of this engine. It is making the cav much more powerful than they should be.

When I've bought elephants they were about 1250 per unit. I think their total upkeep was less than the two Triarii as well...

I don't think there is anything left for the two of us to discuss.

[Morindin]

Cavalry is about the only thing that is the RIGHT speed in this game. Ive ridden plenty of horses by the way.
If anything its INFANTRY which is too fast which would REDUCE the effectiveness of cavalry.

Actually it has nothing to do with speed at all, but more to do with the fact the AI is pretty pathetic at protecting its flanks according to most people. From what Ive seen of the AI so far it makes a point of protecting its flanks against cavalry but you can catch it out with large numbers.
Also spear units in the game come generally later ill reserve my judgement about cavalry until I consider myself experianced in the entire campaign.

Due to all the hype last night about cavalry I attacked the British would a large army of Roman Cavalry units. I danced them around all over the place, hit flanks, recharged and charged again (he had 0 spear units) and I still took considerable casualties. In the end I lost because his damn chariots kept scaring away my troops. I managed to rout a lot of his troops for sure, but it didnt feel overpowered in any way. Cavalry after all is the infantrys match up.

[Maedhros]

elephants do tons of damage but they can be beaten.

After two days of playing I no longer fear them. When I encounter elephants I tend to lose more men than normal. But I can still beat them. Keep your men mobile and when you have to get hit put your Hestati into Guard. They will last longer.

Then CHarge the elephants from all around while hammering with Javelins and arrows.

There is also a post about wardogs. They are good for keeping the elephants busy while you rout the main force. The pups will reduce their morale. Once that happens it is hard to lose. The elephants also seem to have HPs. Sustained fire will slowly wear them down. First few hits will seem to have no effect but maintain fire it will.

Remember too, much depends on the ground you stand on. Flanking. and generals. If you face elephants led by a high valour gen you may be toast. Unless you have mass numbers of quality troops.

[Swoosh So]

Sigh here we go again ELEPHANTSARE TO POWERFULL THEY CAN BEAT MY HVY INF!! well news flash thats what theyre supposed to do. Elephants are easily countered, and can also be a weapon for the opponenet as well if you know how. Now im not talking flamig pigs (whichi refuse to use, along with flaming arrows and artillery). If some player lets me charge elephants into his hvy infantry then what does he/she expect? Its like shouting your scissor beat my paper!! or your rock beat my scissor!! For a start units which are being charged by elephants should immediatly be put on open formation (this will reduce casualties alot - eventhe ingame advisor tells you to do this), in mp battles elephants cost 1250 or so denari, now considering most play 10,000 denari that leaves under 9k for 19 more units. So certainly no cost issue and i dont see a cost issue in sp gmae either due to upkeep and cost.

I wont diverge all my tactics for elephants as half the fun is finding out for yourself, someone earlier said triaria (good call) phalanx works just as well if not better, a stationary phalanx i mean or at least one in somesort of order. Months ago on time commanders neusbacher was talking about how to deal with elephants and ca seem to have taken it on board, missles, light infantry phalanx. and if u cant manage that and want to use them the u can always use pigs..........

I wonder if these people who complain that their hvy inf get mashed even had thos units on fire at will (if romaan units) as you will deliver a painful pilum volley to the elephants b4 they hit, and if u have 4 units side by side then thats 4 volleys on 1 elephant unit.

Experiment abit the games not been out long....were all learning but i dont think everyone should shout imbalance first chance they get. Cav overpowered? U havent seent he 90% roman foot armies in action online i guess.....

[Thoros of Myr]

Experiment abit the games not been out long....were all learning but i dont think everyone should shout imbalance first chance they get.

[Dark_Magician]

If the man kills elephants with triarii in MP, he is the man to be listened carefully. Full respect