Gaul

[Hound of Ulster]

I recommend conceding the Po valley (Mediolandum etc) to the Julii and setting up two all cavalry armies around Massilia. As the pre-Marius Roman infantry (even Triarii) can't handle cav that well, you can fight a holding action with the Julii in southern Gaul while sending your better infantry into either Spain or Britannia. Don't try to fight against all three of your neighbors simultanously, though, as you will be sandwiched by Spainards and Julii. It becomes a whole differant ballgame when the Marian reforms kick in. As I never got that far with Gaul (re-installs, mods, life getting in the way) I really can't tell you how to take on the elite legions with Gaul.

[Ozzman1O1]

the po valley is a highley strategic spot,if you spot a forester warband just at the top of the valley,the roman cavalry and infantry will falter,weile a good charge with generals bodygaurd down the valley will do wonders also,and experienced warbands and samnnite mercenaries will make a ROCK SOLID line of defense...why did you you think Hannibal reccomended it?(just place your army very specificaly

[Vitellus]

I always hold, if I can help it.

I must report victory on all three fronts today! I only played for about an hour - all I had time for - so not much was achieved, except the destruction of two major enemy armies.

First, around Alesia, I resolved to kick the Britons off of the continent so I could fight a holding action against the Germans (I, perhaps unwisely, after playing so many civilized factions, hold no respect for barbarians, so I thought they'd be the easiest to hold). A near-full stack marched north after retraining from the great battle to my border. There, I was attacked by a second British full-stack.

The battle was easily won, however. I concealed both my flanks in forests, and held further units in ambush behind THOSE, so that as the British overlapped my outnumbered line, they found themselves flanked, and when they threw in the reserves to counter that, the reserves were flanked as welll. One heroic victory later, there are no more significant forces between me and Samorobrivia (whatever the British continental town is).

In Spain, one of my armies, marching to liberate Numantia after linking up with the one that escaped the city, was surprised by a Carthaginian force. It was perfect - the great Carthaginian army was split in two, one guarding Numantia, one that had just found my army. I immediatly moved the other army (which was on the other side of the city) up and besieged one force, isolating the other for my attentions.

The two armies were fairly evenly matched - their numerical superiority in cavalry (5 Rounshield units to 2 Barbarian and a General) being balanced by my superior infantry (Warbands and a few Swordsmen against Spanish mercs, Iberians, Townwatch, and Peasants). My cavalry hung back, simply covering my flanks as the infantry slammed into the enemy line, the superior quality of the Gallic warriors soon prevailing. The Roundshield units attempted to flank, but were forced to break off each time by a threatened counter-flank by one of my two cavarly units. In this way I neutralized their cavalry advantage and crushed the Carthaginian field force. Their five Roundshield units escaped, however, intact to Numantia.

Finally, in Italy, I combined my two armies into one full-stack, and defeated two seperate Brutii forces before they could unite into a full stack. Now they have one more full stack that stands between me and southern Italy. The plan is to flank Rome and eliminate its Brutii support in the south. The Scipii, oddly enough, are nuetral towards me and have broken their alliances with the Roman factions - I'll ignore Capua, if possible. Once Rome is cut off from land support, I'll come at that big ol' SPQR army with at least 2 stacks, if not more.

So, overall strategic plan is: Finish off the Carthaginians and Spanish in Iberia, securing that front. Drive the British off the mainland and hold against the Germans until Spain and Italy are settled. In Italy, drive south, and destroy the Brutii. No plans beyond that - I'll see how things develop.

[Hound of Ulster]

The reason I always conceded Northern Italy is because the terrain is not very defensiable and the fact the Gauls don't have very good units when the game starts. As Massilia is right at the entrance to Gaul from Italy via the Alps, and the pass is very narrow, all you have to do is hold the pass with fort full of good cav and have that stationary unit backed up by a wholly mobile cav unit and a large garrison in Massilia, to keep the Julii honest while you kick the tar out of Britiannia and Spain. Making alliances with Macedonia and the Greek Cities also helps too.

[Vitellus]

I dunno - the warband has proven most excellent so far. They absorb the shock of cavalry well, they can handle any infantry I've met so far, save hastati, and even hastati are always overwhelmed with numbers, so cheap are the warbands.

In any case, I, too, noted the difficulty of defending Northern Italy - all I had were a pair of bridges over the Po, and that would require stationing a fullstack army there, to fight off constant Roman invasions. I got around the problem of defense by siezing the initiative and forcing the Julii onto the defensive, and the results of that are listed above.

Didn't have a lot of time, but here are the results of about an hour of playing.

In Italy, there was little action, as the last Brutii full stack fell back towards Tarentum. I shadowed them closely with my own army, trying to entice them to battle on terms favorable to me - I ended every turn on a mountain slope, but so far they haven't taken the bait. Tarentum will be in sight soon, however, so they'll fight soon enough, I have no doubt.

In Britannia, Samorobrivia was heavily fortified with 4 family members and innumerable warbands, swordsmen, and slingers. I opened three breaches in the wall, sending in mercenaries through the leftmost, as bait, and swordsmen through the rightmost, to get a foothold and let my numbers flank and swamp the British. The gate, however, proved an oddity - two warbands sallied out as soon as it was destroyed. Despite quickly being outflanked by two of my own warbands, plus a pair of sword units, the British fought stubbornly, holding off my advance there for several minutes.

The mercenaries, going in on the left of the gate, predictably attracted a heavy response, being met with the full weight of the defenders. I sent a warband unit as reinforcements, to stiffen the merc's resolve, and further posted my general and a skirmisher unit just off the breach, pouring in rallies and javelins in equal measure. A massive, chaotic fight soon developed there, as they pushed me out of the breach, my units forced their way back in, and were in turn thrown out. Chariots, spearmen, horsemen, and swordsmen mixed in to a great morass, with no clear advantage to either side.

On the other side of the gate, however, my swordsmen, backed up with yet another warband, were slowly but surely hacking through the lone British warband blocking their way. It took longer than expected, but at last they broke, and I sent my 4 cavalry, plus my spare general, flooding into the city and into the rear of the gate defenders. They quickly crumbled, as well, and all unengaged units slammed into the back of the enormous brawl at the left breach. The British fought back briefly, then collapsed. Their 3 surviving generals (one had already died in the confusion) were killed one by one as they attemped to flee or rally the defenders, and my army pursued the still massive British force up the hill to the town square, where the survivors were surrounded and destroyed. It had been a tough battle, costing me nearly 20% of my army, but well worth the cost - my losses were all in easily retrainable warbands, while the British lost a third fullstack army and 4! family members.

Finally, in Spain, I liberated Numantia. Here, I had only built two rams, rather foolishly, against a city defended by a handful of infantry units, but 5 Roundshields, a general, and those Elephants! I attempted to lure the defenders to the breach in the wall, as usual, but the elephants were the only ones committed and slowly began chewing through my forces. An attempt to push a warband through the gate was met with the full weight of their cavalry. Frustruted by this first wave, I backed off.

This time, I led the charge on the Elephants with wardogs, followed by as many Warcried warbands as I could cram in, whilst a unit of swordsmen pinned down the cavalry at the gate. After hard fighting, the 4 surviving elephants fled back towards the town square, and my army swung into the flank of the gate defenders. The intact units made one last attempt at a stand at the square, but 2 amok elephants, plus 4 fresh barbarian cavalry units, ended those hopes.

So, results for today were 2 enemy stacks destroyed, one shadowed, 1 city retaken, 1 captured, and the British off the continent. I now have enough surplus funds each turn to begin developing my cities a lil' bit! An archery range is laid down in Patavium and in 4 turns I can churn out these fabled 'foresters' I've heard so much about!

Also, if you haven't noticed, I'm not too subtle or skilled at assaults. Meh.

[Master Young Phoenix]

Any faction facing the britons, and especially gaul because of the low morale of the warbands finds friends in assassins and skirmishers. Let assassins practice a bit on diplomats, spies and rebel captains/generals and then target briton family members. It takes out their best shock unit.

Gaul's main asset is their cavalry though, but don't ignore the warbands and swordsmen. You need something to pin your enemies so your horsemen can sweep round the flanks.

I'm absolutely against ceding any territory with any faction. What I did was this (I won't mention selling maps and trade rights, it's and obvious course of action):

- try to ally with all neighbouring factions. Especially the germans, if you can beat Briton incursions they'll remain your allies untill you need to attack them.

- Kick the britons out of samarobriva quickly and build a few ships to keep them from coming back.

- capture Lugudnum and massilia before the Germans do it (they will try, so use bribes) so you have a link to italy.

- Beat the Julii invading army (take position on the bridge, when they attack, use the ford to sweep around and attack them in the rear). And take either ariminum or arratium. That will keep them from mediolanium and patavium. Segesta is easy game as well

- make alesia and at least (one of) the Italian towns training locations at the start (especially build stables and practice ranges), fortify condate rendonum and make the rest economic.

- After you've beaten off the Britons and Julii, take over the whole of italy.

- Spain will attack you sooner or later, be prepared. make numamtia a generic settlement and you should be able to hold on to it. The spanish don't seem to want Narbo Martius as bad compared to what they do when you take it playing the julii. and Iberian infantry is inferior to your warbands.

When you have posession of the peninsulas (that is, Spain and Italy), Germany should begin to get troublesome. I've managed to massacre most of their armies, and after such defeats they seem inclined to accept ceasefires on your terms (Threaten them with attack and demand money and settlements... if they've taken Noricum, get that one).

I'm not really eager however, to destroy the germans and take their lands. I'd rather move into greece 'cause it's richer. I can keep them from my lands with military might or by taking batavodorum and trier and have them rebel.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

....I So, results for today were 2 enemy stacks destroyed, one shadowed, 1 city retaken, 1 captured, and the British off the continent. I now have enough surplus funds each turn to begin developing my cities a lil' bit! An archery range is laid down in Patavium and in 4 turns I can churn out these fabled 'foresters' I've heard so much about!

Also, if you haven't noticed, I'm not too subtle or skilled at assaults. Meh.

Actually, your tactics on siege assault are solid. Using a Barbarian-tech force against city walls, there are few (zero) ways to be subtle. Your choice -- open 2+ breaches for a little initial mis-direction and swamp them as they commit -- is the best approach available. Dogs are always a nice lead, since you send in the puppies but run the handlers to safety. In RTW, doggies are the ultimate missile weapon.

You have no fun at bridge defense, right now, because your units aren't suited to it. Holding a bridge with non-phalanx spears and no missile support is tough, and likely to kill more of you than of him even if it works. Get those forresters cranked up and try this:

Two warbands at 45deg angles forming a "V" at the end of the bridge -- open part of "V" faces the enemy. Have a couple/three of sword units close to support the warbands when it gets to the scrum.

Have 4-6 forrester units and 1-2 skirmishers positioned to shoot onto the bridge and far approaches -- do not use fire at will.

Send 3 units of doggies over the bridge attacking just as the enemy starts over.

Dogs form solid wall with all of the enemy packed onto the same small piece of bridge and ground at the far end. Target with forresters and shoot away. Most misses will hit something (and the doggies, being shorter, take few hits).
This dog wall will hold for 1-3 minutes, allowing you to really thin the opposing ranks.

When they finally engage, their cavalry should be pushing into your spears at slow speed and you should be able to block the far end for a while. Your forresters and skirms should target the back of this formation so as to miss your guys, but still keep killing the bad 'uns.

As leaders go and casualties climb, they break. If there is a ford, your cavalry can cross after they break the dog line and commit to a frontal, and then you can ride up and attack their rear on the packed bridge. If there is no ford, you can still use the cavalry to kill routers as per usual.

[Vitellus]

More news from the front.

In Italy, my strategy of shadowing the Brutii army worked brilliantly. I was able to quickly get ahead of them and set up on a mountain between them and Tarentum. They gathered their forces and attacked my army, Gallic full stack against Brutii stack and a half.

The battle was little more than a massacre. Gallic forces held a high ridge, overlooking the green Romans. Their pila were useless, as, after struggling up the slope for fifteen minutes, the exhausted troopers were slammed into by a wave of screaming warriors, never giving them a chance to throw. Swordsmen quickly lapped around the Roman flanks, and their general attempted to save the situation by charging the Gallic center. He became bogged down in the warbands, then was countercharged by my own general once his momentum had disappated, along with 2 reserve units of swordsmen. It was also at this time that the 3 gallic cavalry units finished routing the Roman Equites and slammed into the rear of the Roman center. In a re-enactment of Cannae (40 years before Cannae), the Roman army was annihilated, save 3 equites and 2 generals that managed to escape to Tarentum.

The Brutii having no more major military forces visible (and I can see both their cities), I have besieged Tarentum. I shall storm it next turn and sweep on to Croton before the garrison can be built up, removing the second Roman family from the board.

In Gaul, a tough battle was fought at my capital. Whilst I was besieging Samarobrivia, the Germans sent a tiny stack at my near-undefended Alesia (I had stripped the garrison to supplement the numbers of the field army). I ignored it, gambling I could take the city and return to drive off the Krauts before they attacked.

I lost. The 2 spear warbands and 1 wardog unit assaulted the same turn I stormed the British city, being opposed by only my faction leader, and 48 bodyguards. I hit the first spear warband and the dogs at the gate, before they could get their phalanx up. Caught in close quarters, most switched to swords, and I wiped them out, losing 1/4 of my army in the process.

Now the captain and the last spear war band came in. I attempted the same manuever, but enough men made it through that the phalanx pushed my cavalry back. I escaped with barely 20 men. With no other option, I lured them deeper into the city, constantly teasing and circling them with my lone cavalry unit to pull them out of formation. At last, seizing an opportunity, I charged. 3, 4, 5 of my handful of bodyguards died in the impact, on German spears, but my desperate gamble had worked - the cavalry punched through the disorganized spearmen and got in amongst them, so they pulled out swords. After that, it was a simple hacking contest, my general's superior armor and hitpoints eventually prevailing against Germannic numbers. That army was wiped out and Alesia saved, though only 8 men survived of the 50 that started the battle.

Apparently the heavy fighting gave my faction leader a heart attack, for he perished of old age that winter, after celebrating his victory. Alesia was briefly ungarrisoned, but I was already rushing my army back from Samarobrivia and recruiting mroe defensive units. Close call.

In Iberia, no change, as my army continued retraining for an assault on Cordoba.

So, strategic projections for the next few turns:

One consistent problem plagues my army, that was demonstrated at Numantia nad with near disastrous consequences at Alesia: I don't have enough men. I only have 3 major field armies for 3 fronts, and each front has 2 enemies. This means I can choose either offense, or defense, not both. Either way, wherever my army is not, that is where the enemy is.

In Iberia, I marched the main army out of Numantia to crush the Spaniards, only to lose the city to a surprise Carthaginian assault.

In Gaul, I moved the field army to relieve Lugdunum from German siege. Alesia was attacked by the British. I marched back north, defeated them, and followed up the victory by an offensive. The Germans then attacked my rear at Alesia and were only just beaten.

In Italy, I have bypassed the Senate and am rampaging through Southern Italy, but my 4 major Italian cities are completely vulnerable to invasion, with only minor garrisons.

In short, I'm stretched so thinly that to have any offensive capability at all I must operate with virtually no defensive garrison. So, here's the situation, as I see it.

In Italy, I need to finish the Brutii swiftly, and then swing around back to the north of Rome. If the Scipii join in the war on me, and isolate me in southern Italy, I could lose all my northern Italian possessions. A move back to the other side would avoid this, and I could begin my assault on the city on the Tiber itself.

My plan for that is to use the Tiber river to lure the Senate army into open battle, where my superior numbers will have full weight. Once they are slaughtered at the river crossing, I can build up plenty of siege towers and take the walls of Rome with few casualties. If I attempt to lure the army away from the city and then steal the city, I think I will suffer heavy losses as I fight all those family members at the gates, losing men to horses, arrow fire, and boiling oil. Furthermore, on the narrow walls and in the streets superior Roman quality with have full advantage. No, I shall meet them in the open field, where I have the upper hand.

In Gaul, I debated taking the offensive against the Germans and driving them over the Rhine. I cannot yet, however - my rear is still vulnerable to the British, and any campaign against the Germans will inevitably uncover my coastal cities to Briton attack. My preferred solution would be to build a navy and lock them up on their island, but I can't afford one right now. Even if I COULD maintain a navy large enough for the task, it'd be ripped apart by the rampant piracy in the Channel and North Sea, and would be swiftly destroyed if I didn't keep investing denari into it. So, my plan is to use the field army as a mobile defensive force, swiftly concentrating to repel enemy incursions while I build up a second force for this front. I will then attack in both directions at once, landing on England and driving for the Germanic heartland.

This task will be made easier if I can free up the Iberian army. Here, I have the same defensive situation, but I face weaker opponents. The fight seems to have gone out of the Spanish after I took Osca and annihilated their field army. So, to take full advantage of this, I plan to march south on Corduba, and kick the Carthaginians out of Spain. From there, a detachment will strike to the east and take Carthago Nova, securing my rear in Iberia. The reunited army will then proceed to locate and destroy the Spaniard main army, while taking the final two cities as swiftly as possible.

With victory in Italy and Iberia, my problems will be over, as I finally get the income from some Mediterranean sea trade. I'll be able to afford a minor navy to take the island territories off Carthage's hands, and to shuttle a force into Britain. With that nation destroyed at last, all my foes will lie to the east and I can at last present a united front to them.

More next time.

[Vitellus]

Best laid plans often go amiss.

My plan to use my two field armies outside Italy as mobile defensive forces quickly fell apart. In Spain, a minor stack launched an attack on Osca. I quickly made for it with my main army, but while I was away, a second stack besieged Numantia! I did not expect such canny manuevering on the AI's part. That plan failed, as I had left sufficient troops behind to repel the Spanish assault, whilst the brown barbarians suffered another loss at Osca at the hands of my main army there. I marched back to Numantia and drove off another powerful Spanish stack, then quickly stormed Asturicas, relieving the pressure slightly. Couldn't rest my on my heels, however, as the next turn a full Carthaginian stack besieged Numantia yet again!

The Germans were even more clever. One army penetrated by border between Alesia and Lugdunum. I expected them to quickly strike one or the other, but instead they marched around the mountains on the other side of Lugdunum, approaching the city from the south. I destroyed them there, but I was now more than a full turn's move from Alesia.

While the army was away, TWO full German stacks besieged Samarobrivia and Alesia at the same time! I brought up my army at Alesia and attacked a turn before the rams were finished, but unfortunately my losses from the previous battle prevented a decisive win, as nearly half the German force escaped intact in what was essentially a drawn battle.

Meanwhile, I rushed all the reserves I had available - 4 warbands in Condate Redonum - to Samarobrivia. They arrived in the town square barely thirty seconds ahead of the advancing German hordes. The Germans, already tired after a sharp fight with the city's defenders at the walls, were surrounded by the reinforcements and destroyed, but my general died repelling them.

Finally, in Italy, the Scipii declared war and blocked my passage northward. I had reinforced my army with these Foresters, however, and now I fully agree with everyone who posted previously: Absolutley indispensable. I attacked the Scipii army full on, shooting them to pieces just before I swamped their lines of hastati with my warbands. When Chosen Swordsmen began to roll up their flanks, the entire army collapsed, and I must have killed more than a thousand routers. Two generals and some cavalry escaped into Capua, which fell the next turn. I now face only Rome on the peninsula.

Except for Greece. I got map information from the Hellenes a few turns ago or so. It turns out, with no Brutii pressure on their eastern flank, they can do quite well. They dominate the Balkans and own the entire Adriatic coast up to Patavium. That, apparently, was their next target. A Greek force besieged the city unexpectedly, taking it a mere turn before my hastily scraped-together relief force arrived. They barely had time to bar the gates, however, before my men kicked them back down, kicked the Greeks' asses, and then kicked them back out of town. I retrained what I could of the army, but another full stack is visible. They're a turn's march from the city, so I'm setting an ambush on the road to the north...

Analysis and revised strategy: Rome will soon no longer be a threat, and that will free up a full stack army to use against any one of my other three foes: Greece, Carthage/Spain, or Britain/Gaul. This is also my most advanced army, so I feel confident of victory wherever it goes. With another near-full stack army defending Venetia from Hellenic incursions, I feel reasonably safe on that front for now. However, hoplites are difficult foes while I have few Foresters, so I'm going to hold off attacking until I've built up a sizable force of them.

The Germans have proven an uncanny ability to come up with hordes of troops again and again, and have shown some strategic ability. Despite the danger to my home provinces, I have resolved to attack into Alemania - they have sent so many troops to die in Gallic fields that their garrisons must be weaker than mine! If I can seize the initiative there, I will be able to draw off what men they have remaining and protect my provinces indirectly that way. Britian has been contained by means of a watchtower across the straits of Dover - if they build any ships, I'll soon know about it and be ready to prepare a response.

Finally, Spain. With the fall of Asturicas, the Spanish have no remaining settlemetns near Numantia. Carthage is the main threat now. I shall march to Numantia and crush their field army between my own and the city's garrison. From there, it's an offensive south, to Corduba, before the garrison can be reinforced. Assuming I have met success thus far and there is little threat to my 3 Iberian territories, I'll march south along the coast and take Carthago Nova, as well. That means the final Spanish province, in the far north, will be able to threaten only 2 cities and can be easily held at no less than 3 river lines and several mountain passes. I don't intend to stay on the defensive for long, however. I want this frotn secured and the troops shifted elsewhere.

So, plans: Defensive in Venetia, offensive in Latium, Germania, and Iberia, with the intent of finally destroying these threats to Gallic indepedence once and for all!

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Germany is a long slog without two armies on two different axes of advance. I'd suggest a very slow "spoiler" offensive in that direction while you neutralize Spain and consolidate Italy. Upon completion, this will leave you better funded and in posession of more full stacks than threats. Glad you enjoy the Forresters.

[Hound of Ulster]

be careful not to spread your forces over too wide a front or too many fronts. I suggest signing a ceasefire with Germania once you defeat thier sieges.

[Ozzman1O1]

that couldint be said any clearer hounds of ulster.

but,i like to consider regions you control 'home bases' for regions your invading,like this...have a faction leader,a fule bannered army,and a ship from brittania(your home base on attacking germania)and sail to denmark,once you take that,germany will slowly crumble....

[Vitellus]

I've been trying to get those dirty Krauts to accept a ceasefire after I destroyed their first full-stack, about a decade ago or so. I've had a permanent diplomat outside Moganticium ever since.

In any case, it's not going to be a big offensive, as I can't leave myself open to the Limeys. My plan was to just mount a simple offensive at Trier. Taking that city protects Lugdunum, Alesia, AND Samorobrivia in one fell swoop. I can either burn it to the ground and use it for a buffer, or hold a line along the Rhine. Either way, it solves most of my problems.

[Hound of Ulster]

Leaving regions you conquer, in a chevauchee-style raid, and then abandon to the Rebels, as a buffer is a very wise move, because the main enemies of Gaul (Julii, Germania), while usually take thier sweet time taking these rebellious proviences, which gives you as the Gauls time to consalidate and, if needed, re-train, your forces.

The problem with Gaul is that the Julii are very aggresive even on the lower difficulty settings, which means you don't have much time to build up your forces before the Hasati and and Principes come in chucking thier pilum at you.

[Vitellus]

Victory! Victory on all fronts!

It's been a difficult 2 or 3 years, but the tide has turned now (permanently, I hope) to the side of Gallic arms.

In Italy, I marched my army across northern Latium, crossing the Tiber to the north of Rome. I'd march down the west side of it and besiege the city safely from there. However, the Senate army pursued me and attempted to force a river crossing. MY massive force wheeled about, lured the entire army to battle just above te ford, and then the other half slammed into their rear. Only 1 general escaped to bring news of the catastrophe to Rome. 2000 Romans died to about 50 Gaelic casualties, mostly in cheap warbands. Rome, virtually undefended, fell before the year was out.

Around Patavium, massive Greek stacks continued to besiege the city. Time and again they were destroyed by my Foresters sallying. Finally, I took the offensive and took Segestica, drawing off pressure from Patavium. From here I can hit the Greek stacks as they come up the coast from Salona, and if they besiege the city, my Foresters shoot 'em dead! I can hold here whilst I take the offensive on other fronts.

The war in Spain went well. One Carthaginian army was destroyed outside Numantia. When I arrived outside Corduba, it held a massive garrison of cavalry, plus another full-stack nearby. I withdrew a short distance, and the full stack attacked me, unsupported. I was outnumbered, but I used my superior infantry to force a hole in their line and then roll them up. Marching back to Corduba, I stormed the city, the Roundshields proving ineffective against my multitudes of infantry in the streets. Corduba fell, and the three remaining Carthaginian armies in Iberia evacuated for North Africa. I intend to send a diplomat to secure a ceasefire and trade rights.

Spain has provided no resistance. A minor stack besieged Osca, but were forced back in a sally battle. Their main field army (a pitiful quarter stack) remains encamped a short march to the south. However, to their rear, I've sent half of the army that took Corduba (the other half remained for policing and retraining) to take Carthago Nova from its pathetic garrison. I think the war in Iberia is safely over. I'll keep a full stack until Osca is taken, just in case, and then a minor garrison in Corduba in case Carthage feels like coming back.

It is in Gaul that the real war is, now. My planned offensive never materialized, as a powerful German assault hit Samorobrivia whilst I was relieving yet another siege at Lugdunum. That city fell, and a minor force slipped behind my lines to besiege Condate Redondum. I sallied against the 2 spear warbands with my 3 warbands and peasant unit, but was narrowly defeated - 1 spear warband can defeat 3 warbands, even when outflanked and hit from the rear! It disgusts me. The city fell.

With my military situation now resembling that of France's just prior to the Battle of the Marne in 1914, there came an abrupt reversal of my fortunes. Germanic armies were roving willy-nilly across northern Gaul, approachng Alesia from the west and north was well as the usual eastern attack. I had lost 2 cities and had 3 more threatened - all of the homeland, in fact.

However. I had finally raised a decent force in my rear, mostly of warbands, to chase off the 3 large rebel armies that had been blocking my trade routes for years. I got two generals out of these battles, and by the time the three rebels were destroyed (they'd been around for nearly a decade!), I had decent 3/4 stack perched just south of Condate Redonum, on the bridge there. I had a full stack barreling northwards from Alesia (sweeping east through German territory and destroying a few small armies on the way) to retake Samorobrivia, a second full stack IN Alesia, prepared to fight the Germans to the west, and finally, my elite Italian force just crossed the Alps and is bound for Trier. The next two or three years, if all goes well, will see the complete destruction of the German war machine and a final end to this long war.

Now, to do something about those dozen Grecian armies headed for my borders...

[Ozzman1O1]

take my advice,until you can make chosen swordsmen,FORGET about sicily

[Vitellus]

Oh, I'm churning out a goodly number of those in Italy, but I'm ignoring Sicily (which is completely Scipii territory, the last of the Roman Republic) until the Hellenes are destroyed.

Anyways, campaign update:

Iberia is quickly winding down. Carthago Nova fell after a brief fight, leaving the Spanish two scattered armies that I can see and 1 remaining settlement. I'm concentrating my 4 major forces in the area (one in Numantia, in Osca, in Corduba, and in Carthago Nova) to put a large field force to take the final settlement. It shall then sweep up remaining Spanish rebels if they're on trade routes and proceed to either Germany or Illyrium.

In Gaul, the Germans were caught completely flat-footed by my counteroffensive. 4 Gallic full-stacks (granted, two of them mostly warbands wtih a general attached) attacked north from Lemonum, west from Alesia, north from Alesia, and north from the Alps simultaneously. The Germans were spread out in a bunch of little stacks and proved no opposition, despite nearly equalling my numbers. Samorobrivia fell to my old field force, the German faction leader barely escaped the Alesian garrison with his life, his army in shambles around him, the Lemonum army destroyed or scattered about 5 stacks of 2-3 spear warbands and 2-3 screeching women each, and is besieging the last ten or so in Condate Redondum, oh, nad Trier fell in a single turn to the combination of spy + elite Italian force. With that battle, when Germans fell by the hundreds to Gallic arrows, all my losses over the past decade were avenged!

With German resistance crumbling everywhere, the plan is to swing my elites back over the Alps, to take the fight to the Greeks, whilst the Lemonum force supports my main field army as it moves into Germany, and the fullstack that WAS garrisoning Alesia at last invades Britain. I can finally guard myself AND attack on this front, after too long on the defensive.

The problem now lies in Venetia. Three Greek stacks came up and attacked. I met one in a field battle, but the victory there cost me nearly as many casualties as the Greeks - in more valuable swordsmen, too. I dare not face them in the open field again unless I have more room to manuever - keep getting pinned in forests and lose track of events.

One of the remaining stacks is now besieging my battered field army in Segestica, while the other is making hard for a weakly held-Patavium. Spies report more Greek stacks all marching northwest - Greece has no other enemies save Gaul.

Still, I have every confidence my elite force can turn the situation around. So far I've been fighting the Hellenes with the scrubs of my army (plus foresters), and winning. With good troops, who knows?

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Good strategy approach. Tactical suggestion against Greece.

Forresters work well against Greeks, but take a while to get through armored hoplites.

Concentrate your best cavalry into one force. Use forresters to thin the Greek cavalry. Then hit their cav with yours. Then use your cav against their missile troops (while avoiding the phalanx). Now your forresters can flank the hoplites (who are generally too slow) and shoot on the rear/non-shield flank. This will really thin them and let your swords go in at a numerical as well as h-t-h bonus advantage -- with a little judicious help from your wisely spear-shy cavalry.

[Vitellus]

A few more brief battles.

My barbarian offensive began today, as three armies rolled out north, north-east, and east against Britannia nad Germania. No contact with the Britons yet, but I expect that shall change - I'm not quite in sight of Londinium and they've had a solid decade or so to build since I kicked them out of Gaul.

Two battles were fought against Germania, however, one by my elite field force, recrossing the Alps, and one by my Alesian garrison-turned-army. Two moderate strength German armies were wiped out, including the German king. Moganticium is besieged, and my third force will be upon Damme in a turn or two.

In Iberia, my armies have all united and a full-stack is racing for the final Spanish settlement, hoping to arrive before a full-stack Spanish army I saw running around besieges one of my settlements. No battles.

It is in Italia that the heavy fighting is raging. I sallied against the Greeks besieging Segestica, but was unable to drive them off. My foresters killed a few, but with no cavalry I couldn't get behind the armored hoplites (70% of their force), and so it was mostly ineffective. My elite field army, the only reinforcements available, won't be in position for another 4 turns.

Finally, two brutal sieges were fought. In the first, a full Greek stack, though of lesser quality than the other, stormed Patavium, held by only 3 warbands, 2 skirmishers, and some foresters. The battle was long and fierce, as I was slowly pushed back through the streets, but in the end, I drove off the army. I had only 55 Foresters out of the entire force remaining at the end of the fighting.

With the heroic victory of Patavium bolstering me, I thought holding Segestica with my battered, weak army might be possible against the overwhelming numbers of heavily armored Hellenes. However, my men were dispersed in multiple small units, and so my attempt to hold the walls failed as they began routing too soon. I regrouped at the town square and attempted a second stand, but in the narrow streets, even outflanked and outnumbered the armored hoplites proved invincible. Segestica was retaken by the Greeks, who lost some 75% of their numbers. I will avenge myself once my main army arrives...

That was all I had time for. I think I'm nearing the end of this campaign - once Brittania, Germania, and Greece lose their empires, I should have the 50 settlements I need. It is currently the year 245 BC.

[Ozzman1O1]

i see your doing well on your campaigne vitellus,but..... i kind of want talk about evading and attacking germania.

have you noticed how britons are good fighting germania with chariots?(and very 'fond' of trier?)thats because germania baosts there ability to make a phalanxe barbarian unit and makes them frequently in there armys.thats what gaul has to do,by making alot of of barbarian cavalry to counter attack a german phalanxe or perhaps triarii,victory will be a certain possibility

[Vitellus]

Germania is crumbling fast - I have taken Trier, Moganticium, Batovorundum, and Damme with my two armies. They were merged into one army due to miscellaneous losses and garrison duties sapping my strength. The Germans, with their 3 remaining settlements, can muster one full stack to oppose me. n_n I sacked every settlement I took, so the entire region is depopulated.

Brittania is no more. I crushed their first full stack at a bridge outside of Londinium. Their last army was destroyed outside Eubaricum (canna spell), and the rest of the island was taken within the year. My modern, powerful forces simply cut through these barbarian armies like a hot knife through butter!

Same story in Spain. Destroyed their field army at a bridge, sacked their last settlement. I left the warbands in the Iberian army as garrison (and to clean up any rebels around), while the specialized units are headed for the coast. Carthage refuses to accept a ceasefire, so I've decided to begin a campaign against her island possessions, to improve my income.

Speaking of which, income is now nearly 10,000 denari a turn. I can easily construct armies where needed, build whatever I want -after so many long years close to the wire, it's an incredible luxury. I've used the excess funds to begin my plan for the ultimate destruction of the Greeks.

The plan is this: I'm still fighting around Segestica and Patavium. My elite army has wiped out close to 5 Greek full stacks, but there's no end in sight, and I've gained no ground. So, in southern Italy, I'm using those lovely Roman facilities to build a second elite army of Chosen Swordsmen, Foresters, and Noble Cavalry. This army will be ferried smartly across the Adriatic, to Corinth, if I can manage it (that's if the seas are relatively free of pirates and Greeks), or to Thermon if I'm nervous. Once I have an army lose in their rear, destroying their core cities, the Greek war effort will collapse, I'm confident.

With any luck, the next post will be my victory one! The end ot all these long wars is finally in sight...

[Ozzman1O1]

I hope if you took spain,you took palma so you could keep an eye on those carthaginians,and if your going into italy,you should take caralis so you could keep an eye on the civil war in sicily.



it took you that long to take brittania?(including hibernia,i hope)

[Vitellus]

The island fell extremely quickly...once I landed on it. I faced no real resistance other than the attacks outside Londinium. The delay was due to my resources being stretched incredibly thin by war on 3 fronts - I could only afford one army in Gaul, and I needed THAT to hold back the Germans. Italy has been Gallic territory for at least the past decade, while Sicily has been Scipii dominated for at least that long.

Both Palma nad Caralis are on my new hitlist, since Carthage has refused all my peace overtures. Havena played much since my last post, due to time constraints.

[Quintus.JC]

Northern Italy could be held if a meeting hall is constructed quickly, swordsmen will defeat Hastati. hold the bridge on the river Po. the AI rarely tries to get around it although somethings they does.

[Good Ship Chuckle]

Gaul is one of the better factions that I've played on H/VH (as in enjoyable).
Right at the beginning you have two options: Unite or Die.
Most would rather choose the former. To achieve this here is what I did.
Immediately create three distinct armies:
1)Fight off the Britons/Germans.
2)Fight off the Romans.
2.5)Fight off the Spainish/Carthage.
3) Take Massilia and Lugdunum.

As you can see resources are spread thin, and you must get the most bang for your buck. First on your priority list is to perfom the crucial marriage between Cisapine Gaul and Transalpine Gaul by taking Massilia. On every other front be on the defensive, unless a particularly juicy opportunity presents itself, such as the spanish leaving one unit as garrison in Osca.

As for the Romans I found that taking segesta made them confused for a good 4 years. But eventually they came, and came in force (as we all know). A system of forts allowed me to direct their every movement. Such that I took Arretium when there was a small garrison. That really took the wind out of their sails.

The Britons provided the most challenge for me, oddly enough. But luckily up in the north there you start out with Alesia (The Gaul's main powerhouse) and their faction leader which gives you a slight advantage. BTW, I got an alliance with the Germans for the first 10 years of the game, which served me well enough. It seems they were happy enough to go picking up rebel provinces in the east. After a long campaign of butt kicking in the north with the Brits and Germs I exiled the Germans to Domis Dulcis Domis (Home Sweet Home). BTW, the city being named Home Sweet Home in Latin definately makes me think the CA producers have a sence of humor.

I found the Spaniards to be quite the pushovers, and after a decisive bridge battle with the Carthiginians I was king of Iberia. I actually got Corduba before it became a minor city so I eventually turned it into a round settlement (I hate squares by the way). On then to Palma, Tingi, Cirta, and Caralis. I then had to give that army a break as I waited for the sack of Rome.

The Sack of Rome: Once I developed enough chosen swordsmen, and a couple Foresters-
[time out: I really was disappointed by the foresters. I've heard so much about them, but was phased a little when I found out that they took two turns to create. I was then shocked that they weren't much better than cretan archers. Maybe my expectations are too high. I never really found their ability to hide anywhere to be useful in battle either.]
-I knew it was time. I squashed the remaining pitiful Julii beneath the heel of my boot like a red bug. I then banged my blood-stained hand on the gates of Rome, only to be greeted by the pumpus Maxentius and his band of mongrels that were skulking in the countryside. Roman pride can be impressive, but all too predictable. Maxentius confronted me and rose his gladius high into the air and swung it down with all the might of Rome, but his gladius was stopped short by true Gallic steel. Sparks showered us both, and the battle of nations ensued. I'll admit Maxentius fought well....for a scared little boy. I attacked him right were he was most strong. I thrusted my sword into his shield directly, plunging through it and then feeling the familiar feeling of a Gallic steel sinking into roman flesh. He collapsed before onto his knees and begged for mercy. "Mercy" I chuckled to myself. Then I unremorsefully decapitated him and held his dismembered head aloft for the all the battling men to see. Upon seeing their general's head dripping in the hands of their worst nightmare, they all fled. Even the Triarii, who are held in such high esteem, fled like whipped curs. The few men that escaped my blade, arrived back in Rome only to announce that the entire population was to be slaughtered by the scourge of Jove. The sun of Rome was setting, and the age of Gaul was just beginning.

Needless to say, the conquest of Italy was a successful and went off with out a hitch. As you can see, a great beginning is what counts. Once you have united and established yourself, you become an unstoppable force, the likes of which have never been seen.
I hope you liked my gory dramatization of the battle with SPQR as much as I did.

[mrdun]

Sounded like an AAR rather than a guide :P

[Good Ship Chuckle]

It's actually more of a hybrid. It starts out giving advice, but then captures the imagination of the player with a AAR dramatization. Then concludes again with a tid-bit of advice. It's the perfect guide!

[Good Ship Chuckle]

For those that need to get a better understanding of my campaign I put the final screenshot online. It was the summer of 241 BC (not bad eh?), and was the perfect year to end my glorious campaign.
I personally found the gauls to be one of my favorite campaigns, they are difficult (H/VH) straight from the get-go. But led by the proper tactician, they can steamroll straight over the might of Rome, like a mushy cookie batter. mmmm...
I digress... Anyways, here is my screenshot. Comments please.

[Vitellus]

Your victory was much more rapid than my own, which wasn't secured until about 235 BC or so. I think the key was your alliance with Germania - that gave you a free hand to operate against Britannia. For my part, I spent most of the first two decades simply fighting off endless German attacks on my homelands - the Romans were never a threat after my lightning attack, and the Iberian front was hindered by a lack of troops to fight in all directions, so I expanded slowly there until I was able to build a covering force for Numantia.

I just remember, above all, the constant frustration of German attacks on that huge land border I had with them, forcing me to defend from the Channel all the way to the Alps.

[Good Ship Chuckle]

I should give alliance with germania much more credit. With the Gauls, the moment of crisis is crucial at the beginning. The alliance with germania definately cushioned the initial shock of fighting wars on all fronts.