I adapt my strategy based on the current situation. But as for my general approach, well:
I start off getting a basic economy going and build some highly mobile (preferably ranged) units to go and harass the enemy, focusing on disrupting their economy.
With my enemy suitably contained/crippled, I then turn my attention to my economy. I send it into over-drive and rape the land of all resources. If I was particularly successful in the first stage I'll sometimes take resources from areas that were intended for my enemy. This is more me being a dick than having any practical value if the game requires that the resources be transported back to my base.
Then I start to build siege units and a bodyguard for them and begin assaulting the outer defenses of my enemy. This both weakens their ability to withstand my forces and puts added pressure on their economy as they struggle to bolster their defenses.
While the siege is underway I start to build my actual strike force that will be going into the enemy base. This will be heavily melee based with the units that were originally attacking their resources providing any ranged support. By the time I send these units in my siege forces have usually obliterated the enemies ranged defenses and cleared a path for the attack force to move through.
Then I will usually feign an attack. Against an AI they usually send out they're remaining units to push you back and some people use it to. If they take the bait I pull my units back and let the siege and ranged units go to town as my enemy realises what they've done and try to pull back.
Then when the enemies defenses are in utter ruin I deliver them my mercy as a force far greater than what is conventionally considered necessary sweep in to crush them.
Works well for me and suits my personality I find. I highly recommend this approach in most strategy games but it's really good in Stronghold Crusader, especially against the enemies that tend to build up a sizeable force and defenses before they attack like The Wolf and The Lion
I start off getting a basic economy going and build some highly mobile (preferably ranged) units to go and harass the enemy, focusing on disrupting their economy.
With my enemy suitably contained/crippled, I then turn my attention to my economy. I send it into over-drive and rape the land of all resources. If I was particularly successful in the first stage I'll sometimes take resources from areas that were intended for my enemy. This is more me being a dick than having any practical value if the game requires that the resources be transported back to my base.
Then I start to build siege units and a bodyguard for them and begin assaulting the outer defenses of my enemy. This both weakens their ability to withstand my forces and puts added pressure on their economy as they struggle to bolster their defenses.
While the siege is underway I start to build my actual strike force that will be going into the enemy base. This will be heavily melee based with the units that were originally attacking their resources providing any ranged support. By the time I send these units in my siege forces have usually obliterated the enemies ranged defenses and cleared a path for the attack force to move through.
Then I will usually feign an attack. Against an AI they usually send out they're remaining units to push you back and some people use it to. If they take the bait I pull my units back and let the siege and ranged units go to town as my enemy realises what they've done and try to pull back.
Then when the enemies defenses are in utter ruin I deliver them my mercy as a force far greater than what is conventionally considered necessary sweep in to crush them.
Works well for me and suits my personality I find. I highly recommend this approach in most strategy games but it's really good in Stronghold Crusader, especially against the enemies that tend to build up a sizeable force and defenses before they attack like The Wolf and The Lion