Total War strategies!

[Iwata]

I usually employ a variation of the following: lots and lots of bowmen, a couple of good infantry units to soak in any initial charges, and specialized infantry and cavalry for the general mellee.

Diplomatically... what diplomacy?

As for factions, I tend to play as Portugal, given the choice. If not, anything else I'm interested in.

Edit: Amusingly, I used to be a die-hard fan of the series, but Empire left me feeling completelly "meh"... and I bought the Special Forces edition and everything. I have a feeling I won't even bother with Napoleon.

 

[A Weary Exile]

Edit: Amusingly, I used to be a die-hard fan of the series, but Empire left me feeling completelly "meh"... and I bought the Special Forces edition and everything. I have a feeling I won't even bother with Napoleon.

That's disappointing. I figured that since all of the soldiers in Empire would have guns there wouldn't be very much variation in the strategies you could employ. Was that why it was so 'Meh'?

 

[A Weary Exile]

Another tactic I use would be absorbing the initial charge of the enemy with spears then sending my archers/javelinmen/crossbowmen around the flanks to shoot into their backs (As opposed to flanking with cavalry). Anyone else use this tactic?

 

[SimuLord]

When it comes to Total War I like to start with my back to a map edge (to minimize the number of fronts I have to fight on), use a strong economy and a small number of local military recruitment centers at easily-defended points along the supply line (Medieval 2 made this real easy with the castle system), and Hannibal-esque double-envelopment tactics whenever possible.

Then again, the double envelopment runs into problems in Empire, mostly because the AI isn't very good and my troops have an unfortunate tendency to form into a Polish firing squad around their target. Friendly fire is a real problem with guns that it isn't when using sword and spear.

As for my favorite faction and tactic? Sassanids, Rome: Barbarian Invasion, using horse archers for harassing fire and cataphracts to finish the morale of the enemy troops. Once I get a couple of full-size cities with full recruitment capability, the world is my oyster. Plus, the Sassanids' single religion (Zoroastrian) means no worrying about balancing pagan and Christian needs like with a lot of other factions in that game.

 

[Octorok]

I've played a great deal of Rome and M2, and I always like to have my archers in front with spear walls behind, with the heavy infantry in the center behind that and light on the flanks, with cavalry on the sides.

Archers will destroy them running at you, then retreat them and let the spears spike their front ranks before a charge of the heavy infantry and keeping the lights in reserve.

Loop the cavalry around the back and mop them up.

However I think that Empire and Napoleon are more strategic with the addition of guns and cannonry. Position is more important as are stats. No more "CHAAAAAAARGE!" tactics.

I will return in more detail later, as now I have to sprint to school.

 

[Nunny]

My strategy remains the same throughout the series with only minor alterations.

Generaly revolves around a single line.
- Medieval 1-2
line of Spearman infront and archers in back.
-Empire total war
Line of Line infrantry supported by Cannons/howitzers
-Napoleon Total war
Line of Light infrantry supported by Cannons in the center.

Depending on the battle, the enemy will generaly charge straight into the center with thier infrantry and horses harrasing the flanks. Sides of the line bend to absorb flanking attacks and to flank themselves when the time comes.
Range units are protected to rain hell upon the enemy on thier march towards the line, with cannons causing devistating cannister shot in Napoleon (5 cannons usualy destroy 8 units with very little response). Cannons are much less useful for this purpose in Empire as they tend to charge thier horses directly into them, making the cannons usless despite the casulties the horses suffered.

 

[maninahat]

I've played Medieval 2:Total War and Empire Total War.
In Medieval 2, I like to play as the Moors best, and I specifically try to play in as non-agressive a manner as possible; only capturing the surrounding rebel territories and avoiding conflict at all times with neighbouring nations. The results aren't good: no matter how pleasant you are, or rich or powerful or honest, foreign nations will eventually start shit with you and invade.

I like using camel gunners, horse archers etc. They are somewhat weaker than in previous games, but on mass, they kick ass.

In Empire, I use a "W" formation at the start in which the artillery is divided into two groups (sitting at the two dips in the "W") with line infantry and grenadiers standing on either side at diagonals, making a wide W. Stupid AI have a habit of going after the artillery first, so they have to walk past long lines of infantry who rake them with "enfilading fire" (shoot them sideways on). I tend to combine cannons and howitzers (two of each). The enemy usually don't get to reach the cannons before retreating under the continuous fire. It is best to keep your artillery in two seperate groups, firing at opposite ends of the advancing enemy army. That way, you can create a more effective cross fire.

If I have a smaller army, I use a "V" formation, which uses the same principle as the "W", but on a smaller scale.

I haven't worked out an adequate way of winning navy battles yet, beyond spamming the enemy with galley attacks.

 

[Unknower]

[HEADING=1]PEASANT RUSH KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKE![/HEADING]

----------------------------------------------

Seriously though, my tactic is pretty much this:

Cavalry-Infantry-Infantry-Infantry-Cavalry
----------Archers-General-Archers-----------

Infantry keeps the enemy line still while my cavalry attacks enemy's cavalry and then enemy infantry's flanks and rear. Archers are there to soften the enemy.

Sometimes I use the general in the attack, if he's good.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Seriously though, my tactic is pretty much this:

Cavalry-Infantry-Infantry-Infantry-Cavalry
----------Archers-General-Archers-----------

Thats what everyone uses. =D

 

[Iwata]

Edit: Amusingly, I used to be a die-hard fan of the series, but Empire left me feeling completelly "meh"... and I bought the Special Forces edition and everything. I have a feeling I won't even bother with Napoleon.

That's disappointing. I figured that since all of the soldiers in Empire would have guns there wouldn't be very much variation in the strategies you could employ. Was that why it was so 'Meh'?

Pretty much. There was very little variation in units in Empire, which, although historicaly accurate, makes for very dull slugging matches.

 

[Unknower]

Seriously though, my tactic is pretty much this:

Cavalry-Infantry-Infantry-Infantry-Cavalry
----------Archers-General-Archers-----------

Thats what everyone uses. =D

I have never said I'm creative!

 

[Eliam_Dar]

Easiest way, use infantry to lure enemies, use cavalry to smash the enemy lines from behind. Repeat until done. There are more complex strategies, and many of them includes the enviroment. One important thing though, take the high ground always.

 

[Alex The Rat]

In either of the Medieval Total War games my favorite faction was definitely the Turks. In I my campaign strategy would consist of a blitzkrieg against Egypt immediately, therefore taking one of the richest provinces and leaving myself only one front to fight against the Byzantines. Then I would conquer Asia Minor as quickly as possible, and expand just to the north of the Black Sea. The result is a very concentrated, easily defended empire which includes three of the richest territories on the map: Antioch, Egypt, and Constantinople. From there I would develop trade routes with most of Europe, conquering small islands or rebel provinces along the way to lower the upkeep of my navy while simultaneously putting imams in every possible province as a way of spreading my religion and to gather information on my enemies. Eventually (due to crusades) nearly every faction in Europe goes to war with me, at which time I unleash my hoards of saracen infantry, ottoman infantry, sipahis, and janniseries upon Euorope.

 

[Simalacrum]

for Rome: Total War, playing as the Greeks(or any other faction with hoplites), good tactic if your hopelessly outnumbered by lots of enemy combat troops (ie. a Zerg rush)...

Put your archers (the more archers, the better) in a nice close together square and turn off skirmish mode so they won't run away. Next, get hoplites (7 units is ideal, but you can do this with about 4) and surround the archers with them, and make sure there are NO gaps between the hoplites, otherwise you'll have weaknesses the enemy can exploit. If you have cavalry, keep the rear of the hoplites clear and put the cavalry there.

Now you have a near-invincible tortoise-like shell, placing the attacker in a dammed if you do, dammed if you don't situation: you decide to make a head-on charge, you get slaughtered by flank-less hoplites, and you'll get peppered by archers if you decide to hold back.

It does have weaknesses, mind you - best not use it against forces that are smaller than you, cause the effort of deploying the hoplites in such a complex manner isn't worth the effort if the enemy can't surround you. Furthermore, if the enemy has a lot of ranged units, primarily ranged cavalry, you have a problem - if its infantry ranged units, charge them with cavalry (duh), but theres not much you can do with ranged cavalry, as moving at all once your in this formation can result in weaknesses and being butchered.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Pretty much. There was very little variation in units in Empire, which, although historicaly accurate, makes for very dull slugging matches.

I find it quite the opposite. I find the minimal variation good for broader tactical thinking. Certainly it's boring as watching turds fossilise if you just have 2 armies facing off across a field wailing on each other in the finest attritional traditions but once you start taking a few risks with your unit mix and your tactical deployments the results can be quite rewarding.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

One important thing though, take the high ground always.

Not the best idea if your enemy is coming heavy with artillery/siege weapons. It just gives them a better spread of targets.

 

[Cronorod]

Have found that spearwall formations R:TW (standard version, no mods)are ridiculously powerful when used correctly, includes:
The previously mentioned tortoise formation (The early stages of Greek cities is amazing for this, fighting against the macedoneon light cavalry armies)
In sieges, let them destroy your walls, or if you have the option, just dont build any, as they will always assault you then - Just place your phalanx in the tightly packed roads around city centre, the only feasible way to defeat this head on is point blank siege engines, or an even heavier phalanx pushing against it (I've found archery to be useless mostly in towns, as the buildings soak up the fire)

Lastly, if for whatever reason you're in an open battle and cant/wont tortoise, then a simple line of phalanx's with the last 1 or 2 units on each end swept back makes it vastly more difficult to flank, and just tuck in all your other units behind them(AI cavalry is the main issue as they tend to skirt around the edge, this is where your backup units can play their part)

 

[jenx_137]

cavalry spamming, fuck yeah!

well ok maybe I use a more balanced strat, but I love controlling the cavalry mainly and letting the main battle carry on. Medieval 2-TW was such a huge game unfortunately, so I only played as a few factions. like the spanish and the English, english archers can rape any non-cavalry army

 

[Srdjan]

Well I always loved Russia and England (afcourse not in Shogun )

Games are great but diplomacy and AI is bad.

You should all try Sicilan Vespers mod.

 

[Toaster Hunter]

My strategy for Rome: Total War- Carpet bomb the enemy with archers and artillery until they run out of ammo, advance infantry to the center, cavalry takes the flanks and use some variation of double envelopment. If there is a forest, use an ambush from behind if possible. I send in the light cavalry after they break and the fun begins.