Battlefield Tactics

[FOR GONDOR]

So I am starting this thread to discuss the battlefield strategies we use in RSII because I find it interesting to see the ways we attain victory, what formations of our troops do we use, do we have a standard army setup? what types of armies we use, are we more offensive or defensive, and lastly how we fight. Battles are the core element of Total war and especially in RSII and each of us use different methods from each other, what I am most interested in is battle formations and if we have created our own standard formations that we use in battles. and maybe we can learn a little something while we are at it.

[Ferdiad]

Pretty standard stuff tbh. Use the triple line formation as the romans. 2 units of Cav on the flanks slightly behind. Ranged units inbetween line 1 and 2. The cav go and take outt he enemy cav. Half go and harass the ranged units, the other half do hammer and anvil.

[FOR GONDOR]

sounds standard tactics, is that your go to formation for every battle?

[Aliquis]

My standard formation is one thin line of infantry with additional infantry units on both flanks. Cavalry and missile units are behind my infantry at the beginning. Infantry is used to fix their units. Then cavalry, missile units and the infantry units on the flanks attack them from behind.

[tungri_centurio]

double checkerboard line for the romans with 4 cav on the flanks,archers behind the infantry.
against phalanx factions the checkerboard is spread out more than against barbarian factions

for phalanx factions 8pikes in the middle hoplites to protect the flanks of the pikes,behind the first line sword infantry
cav and slingers(on manual firing) on the flanks.

so mostly basic stuff..

[Alavaria]

for phalanx factions 8pikes in the middle hoplites to protect the flanks of the pikes,behind the first line sword infantry
cav and slingers(on manual firing) on the flanks.

That's a lot of pike units, hmm. I usually go with 5 or 6, with the units aligned so that the whole thing bends backwards.

At least four units of hoplites (two on each side) and four of slingers (two on each side). General sits around, as does two units of cavalry.


Wait for enemy to engage the pikes, keep waiting for the enemy to try and flank the pikes... wait a bit more then flank with hoplites in front and to the side escorting their pairs of slingers. Murder the enemy from each side, working your way to the center. Horsemen should be ready to chase routers, though in many cases it isn't important as the slingers can shoot routers in the back anyway. Shoot the general if he's in range.

I like a fifth unit of slingers somewhere in the middle, for shooting over the pikes at units trying to attack my flanking hoplites. Sometimes the general or whoever will leave their back facing your pikeline, and it will mean his death.