Ambushing enemy armies

**Roy1991** · 02-17-2007, 12:01

The automatic ambushing by your forces of all AI armies that are close to them is really driving me crazy

They just keep ambushing armies more than 10 times their own size, and they keep starting wars by ambushing neutral armies.
Just a few minutes ago they ambushed an army of the Papal States...
I of course withdrew from the battle, but still was excommunicated

**sapi** · 02-17-2007, 12:05

Agreed - it's very frustrating.

I just make sure that none of my armies are in ambush mode when i hit end turn (and quicksave when i do in case it stuffs up)

**JCoyote** · 02-17-2007, 15:53

I agree. It's one of the most over-aggressive presumptions in the game. They'll attack neutral factions and get me into wars doing that!

Add that to factions that always fight to the death without ceasefire, alliances that are meaningless, loss of glorious achievements, etc... the game is psychotic. I know it's a wargame, but still, even in the middle ages most nations had peace now and then - even for decades at a time.

And it seems crazy, for all the sabre rattling in the game, and even quotes from Martin Luther of all things, there is no Protestant Reformation. I know the Timurids are wild but really, for late game monkeywrenches the Reformation would be great. Civil unrest, advanced rebel armies popping up everywhere, and having to choose to stay catholic or go protestant? Which also brings in change of religion, something I feel factions should be able to do under the right circumstances.

**Derfasciti** · 02-17-2007, 16:40

Hmph I had always wondered if there was a little video or something about the Reformation later on. I never made it that far.

**TevashSzat** · 02-17-2007, 18:37

Pretty advanced rebel armies pop up early in the game too. In one time as the Venetians, I saw a half stack army in Italy made out of feudal knights, crossbowman and italian spear militia which was pretty advanced considering it was only the 4th turn

**HoreTore** · 02-17-2007, 19:57

Um...

The quite obvious answers is:

Don't place your armies in ambush positions bordering neutrals!

The only reason I can see for someone to have armies in ambush positions, is when you fear an invader. And then if someone invades, isn't that a good thing? If you wish to frighten a would-be invader, or stop neutrals going through your lands, you'll have to put your armies so he can see them, and blocking the road to your settlement.

I can't really see where your problem would come up...

And having them ambush a larger force is a good thing really. Have your small army all-cavalry, and you can easily kill of a lot of enemy siege/missile troops before withdrawing. Sure, you lose the battle, but the point is winning the war, isn't it?

**IrishArmenian** · 02-17-2007, 20:47

I just make sure to know where to ambush and where not too. As Scotland, I ambush a lot, because that is the best way to play to Scotland's strengths, but I do that on purpose. If you are trying not to ambush, avoid the heavily wooded areas or use up all of your movement points. It is not possible to ambush with no movement points.

**Frankenbeasley** · 02-17-2007, 22:45

Um, if the ambush screen comes up and the army is attacking someone you don't want them to then click the little flag icon to 'withdraw from this battle' rather than beginning the assault. Your army goes back into its ambush position and the other army carries on their way as though nothing has happened. You simply choose not to spring the trap. At least, this is what happens in my game.

ETA: I completely missed the last sentence of the original post, so sorry if this post is unnecessary. I'm talking about the flag on the campaign map battle scroll rather than the withdraw from battle on the battle map controls.

**Heinrich VI** · 02-25-2007, 21:37

i rarely see ambushes and get ambushed even rarer. one of my succesful ambushes is among my greatest battles. a mongol army commaneded by one of their 10 command 10 dread monstergenerals gets wiped out in just a few minutes with minimal losses. my army was all cav though.

**IrishArmenian** · 02-25-2007, 23:49

Well done, Heinrich. Good strategy. I'll have to use that soon.

**KHPike** · 02-26-2007, 06:36

Speaking of which, can spies spot hidden armies?

**JCoyote** · 02-26-2007, 06:56

Originally Posted by KHPike

Speaking of which, can spies spot hidden armies?

All agents can spot hidden armies. They are indispensable for attacking the Aztec... send your agents ahead of your army and you won't have to worry about ambushes.

**Snoil The Mighty** · 02-26-2007, 06:57

Spies can only spot them if they are nearby or moved into the occupied area has been my experience

**SultanSaladin** · 02-26-2007, 08:32

Originally Posted by HoreTore

The quite obvious answers is:

Don't place your armies in ambush positions bordering neutrals!

The only reason I can see for someone to have armies in ambush positions, is when you fear an invader. And then if someone invades, isn't that a good thing? If you wish to frighten a would-be invader, or stop neutrals going through your lands, you'll have to put your armies so he can see them, and blocking the road to your settlement.

the other choise you have is to build forts if the army has depleted its movement points .. that way your army is visible to AI and you do not have to worry about ambushing others ..