Using siege towers when the AI sallies

**Conqueror** · 12-10-2005, 18:44

I've found that if you want to starve a city instead of assaulting it, it's still a good idea to build some siege towers. They can be useful in case the AI sallies out at the last turn: your units will have the towers deployed at the start of the battle and if you turn on Fire At Will, then the towers will start shooting the defenders that rush out through the city gates.

Another nice advantage is that the towers can be used as defensive structures. Infantry units placed between the towers will have their flanks protected, and if you play on the huge size setting then the units will also benefit from greater depth of ranks.

**Scoundrel** · 12-10-2005, 18:59

I have used this tactic few times. Its particularly useful against massive hordes of golden peasants that have bad habbit of throwing you out of your city. Just wait until they all gather infront of your siege towers against your own shieldwall, then give your troops "fire at will". There should not be too many peasants left after some 20 seconds.

They're not too useful if they are weaker ones with arrows only, but ballista versions are ultimate killers.

**Mouzafphaerre** · 12-10-2005, 21:06

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I always fill up the quee with one tower per infantry unit. Turn on fire at will and the AI will suicide its best infantry units to the towers. Turn off fire at will after the first volley routs or depletes to save some magic ammo for the rest.
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**Red Harvest** · 12-10-2005, 22:08

I've been using this technique in 1.3 for some time. I don't build rams or sap points anymore for stonewalls. The tower missiles cause some havoc when the enemy sallies.

I have cut the fire rate for towers in half, but that is just personal preference/balance.

**Dutch_guy** · 12-11-2005, 12:38

yes this is a good tactic , it let's you win against very unfavorable odds.

And all because of those handy machine gun towers,and it also enables you to take the walls when the enemy retreats through his gates, and you still can't get through the gate.