newbie with some real simple questions

[Frenchyd]

Hi, I just started playing RTW last night. I've always been more of a PS2 player so please forgive my lack of proper vocab. Is there a tutorial that can help me w/ the basics as far as how to move my armies and how to get them to battle. What are the archers range ? Will they stop shooting when my cavalry or swordsman get in their range? How do you get your army to stop fighting or chasing?

I know these are the most basic of basic questions but I figured there has got to be some good information on this.

Thanks, Frenchy

[The Stranger]

start the game and push tutorial. if you're new that's the only thing you can play.

[Frenchyd]

Thanks, I've played the opening battle with the guy talking me through. I won the battle but I didn't feel I had very good control of my armies. My archers ending up taking a walk a couple of miles away and once I dragged them back into the battle they were exhausted. I just am not getting a good idea how to control the action. My guide tells me to flank my archers and I'm like, how the hell do I do that ?

Sorry, I know most of you figured this stuff out on your own.

[screwtype]

You stop your soldiers from performing any action by hitting the "halt" button on the lower right. It's a raised hand if memory serves correctly. (They have to be selected first though. Left click on a unit to select it).

Alternatively, you can just give them a new command. If a unit is running the wrong way, just LEFT click on the unit (it should wave its banner up and down to show it is selected) and then RIGHT click on where you want it to go.

Edit: One more thing. It may be you couldn't control your units because they were routing. Routing means they are running away from the battle because they are scared. You can't control units when they are routing.

You can tell when a unit is routing because its banner intermittently turns white.

Sometimes a unit will stop routing by itself, in which case it stops running and you can control it again. Other times it will just run off the map and not come back to the battle at all, and you don't get back control.

[The Stranger]

or push backspace, well most people figured how to play RTW while playing MTW

[mfberg]

Your units with ranged attacks (archers, javelins) have a spear or bow icon as your cursor when you select them. Their range is shown by the green arrow below the cursor, red is out of range, green is in range. Flanking is just moving them to the side of your unit.


(unshielded side) enemy (shield side)

your archers - - your spears


Set up a custom battle, 2 units for you (archer, 1 aux infantry as julii), 1 unit for the computer (spearmen) and try it. Add more units as soon as you know how to use these.

In campaign battles if all else fails charge everyone at their general/captain. (this works on most everyone, but causes you massive casualties if they have spears)

[jullii caesar]

Hi i wanted to help you with a tip um when your in battle and the other guy has calvary put your spearmen in front of your trroops this will help you keep most of your units safe because when horses charge into spear points the die easy.hope this helps.


nick

[Frenchyd]

Thanks for the tips. I think setting up a custom battle will give me an opportunity to figure out how things work. PC gaming seems quite a bit more complex than console gaming. Are there any other tips out there ?

I think I'm going to luv the game, I just need to realize unlike Halo for the Xbox it might take a few days to get comfortable.

[The Stranger]

yes play on easy first and never play on very hard cause the AI get very unfair bonusses, for the Imperial Campaign start with the Julii, your superior forces should crush the barbarians.

[aw89]

I used a month to realy become comfortable with the game, (i mean realy comfortable) and i played both STW and MTW. but after a cuple of days you should have gotten the hang of it.

[Colovion]

THe Total War series does have a pretty sharp learning curve when attributed to camera control and unit control. Fiddle around with the Camera controls and the presets. Right now I usually use the FPS Style setup so I can use the wasd keys and then use Shift to move the camera faster. Keep fiddling around with various controls and eventually you'll figure it out, the manual has some hotkeys on the back which are helpful.

[Quietus]

Press F1 and study the controls. (I recommend FPS style just as Colovion does).

And one thing I'd like to add you is essential. This will help you manage the battles much better.

(from the Guide i'm writing):

Grouping Units– Always group your units during deployment (ctrl+left-click units then press g). A great basic grouping is Group I (left flank), Group II (center), Group III (right flank).

Groupings should reflect the physical arrangement of your troops in the field. This way, you won’t be confused during battles and your attack or defense will be better organized.

Just remember, flanks are generally for offense, while the center is generally defensive. Ultimately, it depends on your troop composition (which varies per faction) or even your own style (that you are most comfortable with). Lastly, Grouping doesn’t mean you have to order them together. You still have to order them individually for a more effective battle.



Ok, a couple more things. Learn how to use the Right-click (hold) and drag function. Also, adjust their speed (running or walking through hotkeys).

For archers, you get the "green" arrows meaning they can hit. "Red" arrows mean they are out of range. (Here's some more from the draft, still not completely finished ):

C) Open Field:

i) Skirmishers –

Long range – (Archers, Slingers, Ballista). These units excel behind defensive troops as well as troops have a secondary pila weapon. The strategy behind long range archers is to let the enemy come to you. They are also useful in targeting the enemy general from afar. In addition, concentrating long range firepower on a singe unit can significantly cause it to rout.

Always have a defensive blocker for which the Archers to hide on. They must have a fairly good defensive ability so they can withstand enemy charges.

Medium range – (ex. Velites, Peltasts). These skirmishers excel in small city assaults with wooden walls. They also very effective working behind powerful defensive units, like the phalanx. They work even better against phalanx units.

“skirmish mode” OFF: Against other Medium range units (eg. Velites vs. Peltasts) or else they would not be able to shoot but only move away every time they are in enemy range.
“skirmish mode” ON: In an open field periphery where they evade melee units on their own. Use them to lure enemy shock troops to your own shock troops on the wings. It is ideal to charge them from their back. Once engaged, charge them once again (preferably with Cavalry). Time your charges so they rout quickly.

Short range – To properly use the pilum, do not right-click attack. Instead, enable Fire-At-Will and disable Guard Mode, then right-click drag to position them within striking range of the enemy. They will automatically fire.



Edit: I also recommend "RTS Camera View". For some reason, on "TW View", everytime you double click on the unit, the camera pans straight to do the ground, even if you try to customize your viewing angle (it reverts back).

[Proletariat]

Any of you who knew about this guide and didn't tell frenchy about it, shame on you.




Frogbeastegg's guide for beginners

Anyway, it's what got me going when confused at first. You'll pick it up in no time, no sweat.

[Frenchyd]

Thanks for all the help. I did some custom battles over the weekend and I'm slowly getting more comfortable. I'm going to try using the keyboard more, right now I rely to much on the mouse. I have another question, when you select your archers to attack is there any way you can get them to stay where they are and just shoot when the enemy gets in range. Right now they move until they are in range. Also, if you flank your units to the left or right is there anyway you can get them to face in a different direction. I flanked my archers to the left and they were still facing north south, but I really wanted them to face to the east. A better position, right ?

Thanks for the help. I think this game is going to get me divorced :)

frenchy

[Quietus]

You can use "Skirmish mode" off (they so they won't move when the enemy is close).

Turning on "Fire-At-Will" will make them shoot any unit when they get in range(in my observation, the ones closest and most numerous). I personally won't recommend this, since they would shoot indescriminately ( but that answers the question).

Reason being you want to be precise using archers, shooting at the correct unit and minimizing friendly fire.

"Hold" makes them stay put and hold their ground (unless you order them to move).

I'm not sure what you mean by flanking. But when I want to change face I just right-click (hold) and drag, then let go ( a pink ghost of the final position of your unit will appear. I also press the hotkey so they move faster.