Strategy and Tactics: How to Conduct a Battle

[HoreTore]

Okay, fine, the person who responded to you was the primary target of my post... that said, why would you publicly use a term for a specific tactic under a different name? Seems like you are likely to confuse people that way, or at least give them misconceptions when they're watching the History Channel:P

Well, basically because that was the name given for a tactic for another game I read, and I've used it in this game.

And I'm no good at naming things...

[Rhyfelwyr]

This was a guide I made under my old name here, Woad Warrior (still known as that to the MA team). Its for RTW, but same basic idea:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63532

[pike master]

[History Channel:P]

if you want to be confused about military tactics all you have to do is watch this channel for a while. its guaranteed!

[Didz]

[History Channel:P]

if you want to be confused about military tactics all you have to do is watch this channel for a while. its guaranteed!

Yep! especially if the presenter or the historians doing the narrating have American accents.

[_Tristan_]

Forget the History Channel...

To get acquainted with military tactics, one useful read is the Osprey line of books...

While being beautifully illustrated (Angus McBride for most of them, enough is said), those books give insight on troop types and army evolution, battle reports, description of castles and citadels...

Look here :

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/


And some free articles about the period :

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/content4.php/cid=65

[pike master]

buh! but!

americans are more intelligent than other people. we can see things from outside the box looking in. we arent embroiled in the old european rivalries.

all we have to mislead anyone about is the american indian wars. 8(

[Foz]

Yep! especially if the presenter or the historians doing the narrating have American accents.

buh! but!

americans are more intelligent than other people. we can see things from outside the box looking in. we arent embroiled in the old european rivalries.

all we have to mislead anyone about is the american indian wars. 8(

Keep it on topic please. Due to how historically involved this topic is, it's always close to degenerating into historical debate and off-topic commentary... and I really don't want to see that happen. The history channel, American presenters, and The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything can be discussed in other threads.

[Sheogorath]

A method I use with the Scotts (and other pike-wielding factions) is a pinning formation of Pikes, with Noble (Highland, Swordsmen, pikes, whatever) flankers. The cheap (or not so cheap, depending on what you use) pikemen take the brunt of the force, and their higher defence values let them soak up more damage.
Then a wave of guys with great big swords hits the back of the enemy formation (or the sides, if you arent that patient :P). If done correctly, this generally produces a route against the AI's militia armies. Professionals obviously are less likely to take the bait, and human opponents are harder to encircle since they can concieve of tactics other than the human wave.


In defence of towns I prefer to leave a few units on the walls, then (if the enemy is attempting to go through, rather than over, my walls, stack some schiltroned spearmen on the streets.
Spearmen, even the basic militia units, are suprisingly effective. With three units of militia spears I once routed the better part of an Imperial Army which included a significant cavalry element. Sticking them just inside your gate is ideal, since the AI usually wont charge through a gate, thus removing the AI charge bonus and giving your spears a big advantage.
Another good method is to put a unit just behind a corner on a street leading to the square, this protects them from artillery and archer shots to a degree, and makes them harder to charge.
And, of course, if you find yourself in the midst of the town center with 50 of your previous five hundred defenders left, its probobly best just to order a charge against the nearest enemy than to wait. You'll do more damage that way.

A good overall strategy is to get Timbuktu as soon as possible. Early on load up a ship with a modest army and sail/march to Timbuktu. Dont worry too much about offending the Moors, since youre most likely either already far away from them or (if youre Spain or Portugal) at war with them.
Build a fort on one of those gold mines (or the ivory, I cant remember which is more valuable) and start pumping out Merchants. That extra few thousand florins per turn come in handy.

[Bijo]

Another strategical thing to remember is a simple one but very important as it will also help you tactically: superior numbers. It's no use to divide up a whole army into (several) pieces to allow more agile strategical movement, 'cause you take the risk a separate small army might be overrun by a superior force, meaning if it happens you lose something and not gaining anything.

Though, even if you lose a battle you haven't lost the war. Losing a battle might mean something to gain after all in the strategical picture. It can be an art to take the loss and still turn it into something useful in your strategy.

For instance, maybe you a piece of an army being swept away to nothing and the enemy pushes through towards your settlement that looks very much undefended now. They lay it under siege thinking it an easy target, but lo... With the main army (which was the whole of which we detached some units before, so now it's a bit smaller) we can push through, for we have distracted the enemy force into attacking our inferior smaller force. He must now choose whether to take your settlement or lose one of his own.
You have no problem because you know - assuming you have the resources - you can just send an army at your captured settlement from your empire's heart. That way his army will be closed in by the fresh army approaching and advancing, and the main army idle or strategically "retreating" to catch the enemy as he's being pushed by the advancing army.
With such superior numbers and strategical military maneuvers "to some extent" you will crush yon foemen... like a fish being slapped onto a sandwich, then pressing hard on it


Surprise: to attack or defend from the enemy in a way he doesn't expect. I also like boldness.


Ah, what the hell. I have enough of this thread :P

[dumas]

I go with the basic hammer/anvil with slight differences: Archers on the sides with wider but thinner line. Most battles seem to be over fast once engaged, and I found that having a lot of support troops in the 2nd or 3rd line to be a waste. A thinner line (3 column spear/pike line) with little support is normally sufficient for me to hold the enemy until the hammer strikes.

Archers firing a couple of volleys in the center then retreating behind the line where they're rather ineffective seem to be a bad strategy. I place them at the ends of the line where they're more effective. If the enemy decide to hit the center of the line, the archers are firing from the side flanks of the enemy, uninterrupted, and with a natural crossfire. If they hit one side of the line, the archers on that side retreats back behind the line leaving the archers on the other side of the line firing from the flank.

------------------E--E--E--E--E--E----------------
------------------E--E--E--E--E--E----------------
---------------E--E--E--E--E--E--E--E-------------


A--A-----------------------------------------A--A
C--C---S---S---S---S---S---S---S---S---S---C--C
------------HI----------G----------HI-------------

E=Enemy
A=Archer
C=Cavalry
S=Spear/Pike
HI=Heavy Infantry
G=General

The basic strategy is your spear line forming around your enemy wherever it strikes. Again, this relies on the battle being over fast and your line at the point of attack holding with little support until your flank attacks begin. However, once the flank attacks begin, you're likely to come out with a victory even if your main line breaks.