Reading The Field

[Tomisama]

Beyond having somewhat mastered organization and control of your troops, and gaining some skill at correctly matching them against your opponent’s, next is to learn to read the battlefield correctly.

In an old movie called “Kim of India”, a street urchin is trained to be a spy reporting on troop movements. A tray with different quantities and colors of rocks (could have been sizes too) are flashed before him, and he is then expected to remember and report on how many and what kind he saw. In the movie he practices and practices, developing his abilities to instantly annualize enemy strengths and movements.

Being able to do this correctly is an invaluable asset, but has unfortunately always been a weak point in my game. In a single instance this last weekend I misread both an enemy and a team member’s movements at the same time, that caused me to move to quickly to an unsupported situation. This has focused my attention on trying to find ways to do better assessments, and make better judgments in the future.

Thoughts?

[Puzz3D]

Thoughts?

When the enemy moves to flank you in force, don't move your army further out to that flank because that tends to isolate your army where the enemy can overwhelm it with a stronger force. It shortens the time before contact with the enemy and simultaneously lengthens the time of arrival of allied support units. It also incurs fatigue for your units and for allied support units which can significantly reduce the combat ability of the units.

To be effective, supporting units have to arrive before your army is routed, and while the morale level chosen does provide for the separation of units and armies in order to allow for angles of attack, it is possible to have too much separation. Judging the maximum safe separation distance is very important and depends upon making good estimates of how long units will fight, how fast supporting units can traverse the distance and how quickly you or your ally is likely to respond to the developing situation. If an ally is slow to respond, you have to stay closer to him than to an ally who is quick to respond.

When under attack the team should concentrate on repelling the main attack rather than some team members staging their own counterattack on some other part of the enemy position. The defenders should be able to bring more units to bear on the main point of attack unless they have stretched out their line to the extent that there is too much separation between the units or armies.

[TosaInu]

Hello Tomisama,

There are different techniques, some will work for a person, others don't.

I think these are good things to focus on:

Monitor your allies and keep your army nearby your allies.
Monitor your allies and assist, not only when he's doubled by 32 units, but also when he is attacked by two units controlled by two opponents (that could be just a defensive move to protect one of his flanks).
Don't move too much, as you don't want to provoke a response.
Don't move too little, you need more than one spearunit to block 4 JHC.

Throw all of the above overboard when you are ready for it.

[Tomisama]

On the very simplest levels of this (my level), I take the time to see what colors my team mates have, and of course who they are. I say each name out load, to insure that I am not just skimming the group, and if I can, I will check to see what units they have. I also note who my closest opposition is, and again if I can, count units to be sure that none are in hiding.

Lately I have been able to keep one eye on the enemy back field shifts, and as possible (and as quietly as possible), made compensating balances. Most of the time this works to some advantage, and occasionally provides critical support in place “before” it is needed (the only way to fly ).

While I am on simple, let me wheel out my old “10 Always For Team Multiplayer” to read again myself, and for anyone else who might find a review of some basic stuff helpful.

The Ten “Always” Basics For Team Multiplayers

"There are exceptions to every rule. Discuss the exceptions in deployment, but other than these temporary agreements, consider these rules as Always being understood.

As much as possible:

..1. Always stick together.
Move to link up, then move together as one coordinated killing machine.

..2. Always search for your enemies weakness.
Be ready to take advantage of their over confidence, latency, or forgetfulness. Given enough time in the battle, everyone is subject to these errors. Be on guard for yourself and your team mates.

..3. Always take the high ground first.
The “number one” objective is to provide this base of operations for the team. If there is a highest hill, you must have it, victory will follow.

..4. Always protect your generals.
Keep them out of the action. The loss of your armys leader lowers your whole army’s morale for the rest of the battle. For lack of a general an army was lost, for lack of an army a battle was lost. Keep him safe.

..5. Always look to double team a single, or triple a double.
The old hammer and anvil. One or two armys fix the enemies attention, while the others out flank and smash them.

..6. Always leave the isolated enemy army until last.
This is pure logic, go after the most of them with the most of your own. The straggling enemy army presents a juicy target but don’t be fooled. The battle is where the majority of the enemy is.

..7. Always remember that you may have to become the rear guard for the group.
Moving to link up always leaves a part of the front empty. The army on the most exposed flank will be at risk of being out flanked. If that should happen, it could mean disaster for the whole team. Be ready to fulfill the rear guard roll should it fall to you. Consider it in your deployment, and stand ready to move to face the flanking enemy as the others move forward.

..8. Always regroup before entering another phase of the battle.
Don’t get carried away with small victories. Whatever kills might be earned in chasing are offset by the fatigue it cost you. If you get a moment to breath, take it and regroup.

..9. Always keep some units ready to help a team mate if needed.
Be ready and looking for the need long before it happens. It will take you time to get there.

..10. Always consider that the battle will be long and difficult.
Keep an eye on your energy bars, and always consider fatigue a major factor in your plans. And never underestimate your enemy, no matter who they are. Consider all who oppose you, heavily armed, and extremely dangerous......

Any corrections or expansions on the above are welcome.

[Jochi Khan]

Hi Tomisama

While I am on simple, let me wheel out my old “10 Always For Team Multiplayer” to read again myself, and for anyone else who might find a review of some basic stuff helpful.

The Ten “Always” Basics For Team Multiplayers

"There are exceptions to every rule. Discuss the exceptions in deployment, but other than these temporary agreements, consider these rules as Always being understood.

As much as possible:

..1. Always stick together.
Move to link up, then move together as one coordinated killing machine.

..2. Always search for your enemies weakness.
Be ready to take advantage of their over confidence, latency, or forgetfulness. Given enough time in the battle, everyone is subject to these errors. Be on guard for yourself and your team mates.

..3. Always take the high ground first.
The “number one” objective is to provide this base of operations for the team. If there is a highest hill, you must have it, victory will follow.

..4. Always protect your generals.
Keep them out of the action. The loss of your armys leader lowers your whole army’s morale for the rest of the battle. For lack of a general an army was lost, for lack of an army a battle was lost. Keep him safe.

..5. Always look to double team a single, or triple a double.
The old hammer and anvil. One or two armys fix the enemies attention, while the others out flank and smash them.

..6. Always leave the isolated enemy army until last.
This is pure logic, go after the most of them with the most of your own. The straggling enemy army presents a juicy target but don’t be fooled. The battle is where the majority of the enemy is.

..7. Always remember that you may have to become the rear guard for the group.
Moving to link up always leaves a part of the front empty. The army on the most exposed flank will be at risk of being out flanked. If that should happen, it could mean disaster for the whole team. Be ready to fulfill the rear guard roll should it fall to you. Consider it in your deployment, and stand ready to move to face the flanking enemy as the others move forward.

..8. Always regroup before entering another phase of the battle.
Don’t get carried away with small victories. Whatever kills might be earned in chasing are offset by the fatigue it cost you. If you get a moment to breath, take it and regroup.

..9. Always keep some units ready to help a team mate if needed.
Be ready and looking for the need long before it happens. It will take you time to get there.

..10. Always consider that the battle will be long and difficult.
Keep an eye on your energy bars, and always consider fatigue a major factor in your plans. And never underestimate your enemy, no matter who they are. Consider all who oppose you, heavily armed, and extremely dangerous......

Any corrections or expansions on the above are welcome.

I thought this reading looked familiar.

I see that it is taken from Appendix (ii) of the Academy Guides for MultiPlayers on the ^Nomad Alliance^ forum. See Here

[R'as al Ghul]

..3. Always take the high ground first.
The “number one” objective is to provide this base of operations for the team. If there is a highest hill, you must have it, victory will follow.

I basically agree to this but I also feel that the advantage a hill offers can be deceptive. The reason is the backkills you may suffer from a position on a hill. If my teppos shoot uphill at yours the bullets passing through the ranks, missing your teppos, have to come down somewhere. Most probably they'll hit the units positioned on the backslope.
On the other hand, I experienced this last weekend where we attacked a hill, I may be able to position my spears almost directly behind my teppos without risking any backkills because your teppos are shooting downhill at mine and the missed shots would just go into the ground.
It is of course true that archers profit from being on higher ground and that it is always best to charge downhill at the enemy.
Just be careful, there's no equation hill=good position. It's relative.
Yuuki would probably say it's an indication that we've a good balance because it is actually possible to take the hill from the defender as an attacker.

R'as

[Puzz3D]

I would caution about over reliance on those axioms. There are too many exceptions to them.

[Tomisama]

While I am on simple, let me wheel out my old “10 Always For Team Multiplayer” to read again myself, and for anyone else who might find a review of some basic stuff helpful.

The Always list was first written about five (or six) years ago as a beginners guide for new players coming into the Ronin Warlords Clan. It has undergone a few changes over the years, but was never intended to be more than a handful of basic concepts for the uninitiated. I realize that some of the points addressed are antiquated (STW), but I posted anyway to hopefully provoke some folks to hoist up new views on the subjects listed, and maybe even bring some new concepts to the list.

Any corrections or expansions on the above are welcome.

Just wanted to be clear about my purpose



Edit:P.S. One of the Always that fell off the list along time ago, but that I though was worth reviving at least one more time

Always trust that your team mates have done the best that could be done, according to the battle as they saw it. Each of us comes with different experience, and each has a unique point of view of the battle. Each has different skills and different weaknesses. It is in teamwork that these things get welded together to the advantage of all.

[Odin]

Being able to do this correctly is an invaluable asset, but has unfortunately always been a weak point in my game. In a single instance this last weekend I misread both an enemy and a team member’s movements at the same time, that caused me to move to quickly to an unsupported situation. This has focused my attention on trying to find ways to do better assessments, and make better judgments in the future.

Thoughts?

Its been a very long time since I played any kind of MP. I have played MP with STW many moons ago. That said I have 2 cents to add.

In my time playing MP with various games I have always assumed a defensive position 1st.

"Invincibility lies in the defence, the possibility of victory in the attack" Sun Tzu

Once you have a secured defensive position then the allies and enemy must react to you this should help your assesment abilities multi fold as half the equation is dictated by you (you know what they are reacting to).

While this isnt a complete team strategy, it does ensure your ability not to affect the team negatively initially.

[Tomisama]

"Invincibility lies in the defence, the possibility of victory in the attack" Sun Tzu

I too believe in deploying back in a solid defensive stance, at least until I can see the enemy positions. But the option to stay there until attacked will most likely only rarely exist in our 4v4 battles.

Thanks Odin, you should come join us on Sundays for some Samurai Warlords fun

[Odin]

I too believe in deploying back in a solid defensive stance, at least until I can see the enemy positions. But the option to stay there until attacked will most likely only rarely exist in our 4v4 battles.

I understand it isnt ideal for 4v4 battles. However attaining a defensive position would aleviate your issue instantly. The field would be read from one singualr view, how the others move to you. That should make it much simpler for counter moves and thereby negate the weakness.

This should be able to be negotiated at the 4v4 level. Also its not a permanent situation, its simply a tool to be employed until you can make a successful read. Then move at your leisure.

[Odin]

Thanks Odin, you should come join us on Sundays for some Samurai Warlords fun

I live in a fairly secluded area. Also by choice I do not have cable so all I have is a diail up at my residence. I dont think you guys play with guys who have dial up only. I have the ability to upgrade but my families chosen lifestyle at this time is to not include cable/high speed access to the web.

While at work I can log on and surf the web with ease but I cant play games here.

Thanks for the offer though.

[Puzz3D]

I dont think you guys play with guys who have dial up only.

This game works fine over 56k dial-up.

[Odin]

This game works fine over 56k dial-up.

Really? Its been nearly 6 years since I did MP. I have the samurai beta 8 downloaded and am playing SP.

Let me take a look around the forum for specifics on the MP game, I might be up for it.