The Flower's

[Cardinal]

I have been playing the Bruti campaign, and have more or less won the game, but in an attempt to help the allied Julii faction I got myself into a skirmish with the Germans. It all started fine, and I am currently in the nothern end of the map and decided to wipe those germans off the map once and for all...... and guess what happens. In the face of an equal facing german army, my roman forces have been wiped out - TWICE. This has never been a problem before with other armies from other nations, so I am probably employing the wrong tactics.

So, the big question. Are there any better tactics to beat the germans than the ones I have employed? All suggestions are welcome.

"Varus, bring me back my legions" ; Augustus Caesar.

[Magraev]

The strategy depends on what you're facing - the germans have many ways to challenge you.

If its spearmen it's suicide to charge straight into the spears. flank and pull the army apart first - use missiles if possible. Normal roman brute force won't be enough here.

If many chosen archers charge asap, but don't underestimate them in melee.

If they have much heavy cavalry you have to fight them in a forest.

If they have a balanced army you've got a challenge on your hands. This is why the germans are one of my favorite factions to play.

Let us know how you do.

[Red Harvest]

The improved shield protection in 1.3 versus missiles is a large boost to the Germans. They have very large phalanx units anyway, with high attack (a 9, and with full 1 lethality.) Now they are less vulnerable to missiles than before. Plus, they move fast for phalangites. You have to find a way to pin each phalanx unit in front, and strike it from behind. Also firing into the back of them will cut them down to size rapidly. Frontally, it is not going to be a favorable fight.

[Cardinal]

No easy way out then..?

Blast! (a very mild "swearie")

[aw89]

Challenges are fun!

Let the Viking spirit guide you fellow norwegian!

[Viking]

The unusual consentration of Norwegians in one thread has to be celebrated.

I suggest you use onagers to kill their general; and reduce their morale by fire attacks, batter their lines with urbans and flank with some praetorian cavalry.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Do you want to handle it tactically or strategically?

Tactically:

Most of the advice you've received above is spot on. The traditional roman strengths are those pila against unarmored foes and the tacticable speed of their swordsman to hold with one group while flanking with another. Adjusting to their specific army composition is also important.

Strategically:

Perhaps they're tough to beat because of the morale benefit of a high-star leader? If so, a couple of your best agents slipping some aresenic in his ale might do you more good than a half-dozen units of hired bastarnae. Especially if you attack the same turn the poor fellow accidentally falls down a flight of stairs...4 times.

Divide and conquer! Send in solid forces in 5 or 6 stacks, all of them positioned in good defensive spots that are temptingly close to his army. He'll go for one, and then at least two forces cut in behind to take the towns. You may lose a couple of battles, but they lose their settlements and their faction is caput. Pin and flank is not limited to the battlemap.

He might even split forces, creating easily "digestible" chunks.