attaking Vs Defending

[gaiusjulii]

I prefer to defend as an army commander. what about yourself?

[woad&fangs]

I like to lure the enemies into attacking me in the open field with a large portion of their troops. After winning a few of these epic defensive battle I mop up the weak enemy garrisons. I find I have a hard time keeping my formations together when attacking. Also, I rely a lot on archers in my games and they can't fire while they're moving.

[Rotc_Railey15]

My strategy (depending on the army) is to let them attack me first, waste their army, then I go on the offensive. Allows me to retrain troops and attack the enemy who have already lost most of the defending forces attacking me. This always works.

But, ive experianced that a good defence is an offense. Im playing Scythia and my horse archers have wiped out armies on the move. Thus leaving their settlements weaker so I can attack them. I prefer to fight them in the open cause seiges are suicidal w/ cavalry-based armies.

[bedlam28]

I've really found that you have to adjust your plans as you play each faction.
Those like Egypt and Greece really work well defensively, pressing your enemies into attacking you.
Horse archer factions such as the Selucids are great for hit and runs, attacking the enemies before they can get into a strong position to withstand you.
Romans are great as both defenders and attackers with their turtle style, yet typical roman brute force.
Germany and Britannia for me seemed much better attackers, taunt and hit.

Good luck gaiusjulii though I'm guessing by your nick that your focused on the Roman faction so far....

[professorspatula]

In STW and MTW, it paid to be on the defense. You could line up your troops, securing the high ground and thus have an incredible advantage. However with RTW, I find it's much easier to attack. Firstly - the AI on the defense is much more docile. They tend to sit and wait for you to attack which means if you have any onagers or artillery and long range missile troops, you get to do serious damage before the AI decides to do anything about it. Also the AI gives up it's high-ground advantage way too easily in RTW so even if they start on a hill, you can usually maneouvre and force them onto a downward slope which is absolute nonsense. The AI is also hopeless if they're on the defense and you have loads of horse archers and such. They won't really bother attacking your main force and spend all day chasing after your horse archers leaving them exhausted and easily beaten.

The only time it's better to be on the defense is bridge battles and sieges.

[gaiusjulii]

SOrry i was bit short when i started this thread. Anyways yes your right i am a total Roman or greek cities fiend. I love the phalanx warfare and also cos the roman in my eyes have it all from good cavalry(not the best) fantastic infantry and I think they are the best balanced. Anyways my style is lay seige to a city for one year and then let them come and sally out I love sallies on the defence as you have to really improvise and on the open field cos you can really dictate the pace of play. same with the Greeks they have a fantatic phalanx and the spartans kick arse even in front to front seasoned triarii and pricepes