Wardogs strategy

[Maltz]

I have not really tested the effect of wardog garrison, but I know the population drain when the recruit occurs, is only the number of handlers. So I would suppose the garrison effect only counts on the handlers.

Under huge unit size there are 48 handlers and 144 dogs (1:3 ratio),
for large there is 24 vs. 72, for normal it is 12 vs. 36, etc.

[Sin Qua Non]

Dogs are also great ambushers. Placed in the deep woods, they can be sprung across an enemy flank for best effect, especially since the AI likes to place skirmishers on the flanks. They also don't seem to be discovered nearly as much as other units when hiding. This is probably due to the fact that the cmputer probably only factors in the handlers when determining concealment. So all the enemy sees is a forest (which happens to be growling and snarling).

[moerty]

had to register to respond to this one heh, i use dogs, gladiators and elephants to fullfill RTS needs, occasionally i get a magnificent general who is wildy extravagant as one of his V&V's, so in order to fit the mood i reward him with these units as appetisers to battle so to speak. if the general must be in the field at least he can bring the circus to him since he can't go to the circus. i try to bait a unit with archers or scorpions so they engage my line and that's when i unleash my circus. my men cheer mightly at the spectacle and if they put a good show my general becomes inspired and puts a good fight, at least i make him fight more. if the whole army comes at me i still send the units to fight to the death, except for elephants, those i like to preserve for truly epic battles.

[Maltz]

I now have two really good uses of wardogs:

(1) Wardogs are excellent bugging & biting down foot missle units. They can still fire while being assaulted by doggies, but you will find their numbers drop like a slot machine. Better yet, they can also assault marching missle units. AI don't really let their missle units stop to fight the dogs - so they will be essentially chewed up.

(2) Phalanx at the town center. I just had 2 doggie groups devouring 2 full Macadon phalanx pikemen at the town center. The phalanx was not facing the dogs, so they had very weak defenses and they didn't know to turn their spear towards the dog. I only lost about 10% of the dogs (they can be regenerated anyways), and killed them all before my archers run to the town center. Dogs are the best non-missle unit against town center phalanx indeed.

[Besieger]

i totally agree with Maltz,...1 of the strategy i always use is to place 2-3 of my wardogs in e town center as my final solution for defensive....especially if ur town is juz protected by wooden wall. most of the time they do not fail me at all...

as for offensive....they are very useful in 2 situations.....firstly as we know against routing enemies and secondly against troops that are least armoured....like archers, peasants...etc...