Flanking question

**Dutch_guy** · 10-05-2005, 18:21

no, you could howevr just browse all the pages of the forum...
And well any RTW question you tpe in the search bar will probably direct you to the Colosseum , or RTW guides.

**mgdpublic** · 10-05-2005, 18:31

What do you mean "just send them around?" That's exactly what I'm asking.

**Doug-Thompson** · 10-05-2005, 18:54

With cavalry:

1. Pick a unit that can use wedge formation.

2. Before the battle, deploy the cavalry in a line as long as you want.

3. Hit the "special function" hotkey (F). The cavalry is now deployed in a wedge. When it unravels, though, it will unravel into the long line you prefer.

4. Start the battle. The front unit engages. Run the wedge cavalry past the flank. Once in postion, turn off wedge, then order a charge, preferably into the back rather than the side.

With infantry:

Don't put one behind the other. Put the second infantry unit off to the side with a little distance.

If your infantry can withstand a charge to its front and hold out so long that another infantry unit can march past, turn and deploy, then it's in no danger anyway.

**rebelscum** · 10-05-2005, 19:02

Does anyone actually split their infantry units up into groups or use one big line?
Does anyone keep re-enforcements back?
Does anyone bother to flank?
Does anyone use thier General to try to route the enemy?
Does anyone try to lure cavalry into the line of spears?
or does everyone just walk up to the enemy with archer units and shoot them to bits when the just stand there. (Well pre BI anyways)

**Doug-Thompson** · 10-05-2005, 19:14

Nah. I just lured the general out into alone with his bodyguard, killed him and watched the rest of the army rout.

**SpencerH** · 10-05-2005, 19:20

Originally Posted by rebelscum

Does anyone actually split their infantry units up into groups or use one big line?
Does anyone keep re-enforcements back?
Does anyone bother to flank?
Does anyone use thier General to try to route the enemy?
Does anyone try to lure cavalry into the line of spears?
or does everyone just walk up to the enemy with archer units and shoot them to bits when the just stand there. (Well pre BI anyways)

Both
Yes
Yes
Yes when necessary
Yes, no.

**Doug-Thompson** · 10-05-2005, 19:33

OK. We've had our fun, but the serious answer to mgdpublic's question is: Lay an ambush. This is not easily done.

What we'd all like to do is have infantry in a column, run out o the side, make a "left face" or "right face" turn, and charge.

No, there is no easy way to do that. The easiest would be to do the old "drag and drop," but that's not really practical on a confused battlefield. You're trying to drag the cursor over units.

The best way to do it, really, is to find a weak unit or gap in the enemy line and bust through. Then break off the pursuit and charge something else in the flank or from behind.

**mgdpublic** · 10-05-2005, 20:11

Originally Posted by Doug-Thompson

What we'd all like to do is have infantry in a column, run out o the side, make a "left face" or "right face" turn, and charge.

Yea this is more like what I'm asking. For instance, if you had the layout I described and moved the second unit to the right of the enemy unit but not perpendicular (rotated), would you even get a flanking bonus?

**TinCow** · 10-05-2005, 19:34

Originally Posted by rebelscum

Does anyone actually split their infantry units up into groups or use one big line?
Does anyone keep re-enforcements back?
Does anyone bother to flank?
Does anyone use thier General to try to route the enemy?
Does anyone try to lure cavalry into the line of spears?
or does everyone just walk up to the enemy with archer units and shoot them to bits when the just stand there. (Well pre BI anyways)

1) Depends on the army and the battle. I use many different formations depending on the circumstances, though one long solid battle line of infantry accounts for probably about 50-60% of my attacks.
2) Not in RTW, but with the improved BI AI always. At least one cavalry unit to deal with enemy flankers and sometimes up to a full second line of infantry in equal size if the situation is serious.
3) Always, unless they are heavily outnumbered and poor quality.
4) Yes, regularly though carefully. I prefer to take the occassional general death in exchange for the use of an excellent cavalry unit and positive trait gains for the general. The only time I will absolutely keep my general out of the fight is when I am fighting a battle that will be long and where morale breaks could pose a serious problem for me.
5) I sometimes lure cavalry to spears, though I prefer other methods. My preference is to entice them into charging a deep-ranked unit of any kind and then pinning them with a flank cavalry charge of my own.

**A.Saturnus** · 10-05-2005, 20:09

If you have a unit of infantry behind another - say swordsmen behind spears - you can get the swordsmen into the enemy´s flank by dragging them to a line so that they face the flank of the enemy. Command them to run if you fear your spears won´t hold long enough. Make sure that you leave enough distance between the line and the enemy to prevent your unit from engaging while moving to the position.

**Garvanko** · 10-05-2005, 20:24

Originally Posted by rebelscum

Does anyone actually split their infantry units up into groups or use one big line?
Does anyone keep re-enforcements back?
Does anyone bother to flank?
Does anyone use thier General to try to route the enemy?
Does anyone try to lure cavalry into the line of spears?
or does everyone just walk up to the enemy with archer units and shoot them to bits when the just stand there. (Well pre BI anyways)

1. Not usually. Infantry keep marching in a line. I select individual units as and when..
2. Nope. You can never say no to re-inforcements. They must engage.
3. Of course. Especially against uber-strong infantry.
4. Yes, almost always, but usually as part of a larger cavalry charge.
5. Infantry, in this case spearmen, are there to engage forward threats. If that means Cav, then all the better.

Archers are set on FAW, until they become a danger to my own units. Then they skirmish. Or rout.