Newbie questions: cavalry, multiple armies, sieges...

[azithinkibe]

I know some of these have probably been asked numerous times on this forum, but I couldn't find much specific discussion using the search function.

1. Is there a way to force cavalry to charge with their spears down, or do you just have to give them enough running space for that to happen?

2. Is there a way to attack with more than one army at once? The only way I've found so far is to position armies near the enemy, then attack with one and hope the others arrive as reinforcements. Any other way to get multiple armies involved?

3. What's the best way to defend against sieges? I find if I just wait inside and turn on triple speed, the enemy will stand around forever not doing anything, so I'm forced to go out to meet them.

4. On that note...any tips for increasing frame rate when the game is set to triple speed? My game instantly lags a ton once I crank up the speed to double, and even more at triple.

[24Gamer]

1. Yes, you just have to give them enough (free) running space...

2. Set "unlimited_men_on_battlefield=FALSE" in the preferences.txt folder ( in your RTW directory ) to "unlimited_men_on_battlefield=TRUE".
So your reinforcements will aways appear. But remember you have to let the reinforcements controlled by the KI, otherwise there are not more than 20 Units of your armys at the same time on the battlefield...

3. The "best" ( easiest ) way is just to stand back in your city centre and wait for the enemy ( meanwhile the enemy got shoot by towers etc. by overcoming the walls ).
But try to fight realistic and try to hold the walls.
Defend the walls everywhere the enemy trys to break through ( ladders etc. ) and give your best =)

4. Does your game lag otherwise? Cause' it could be that your PC is just to bad to handle the Game ( for example on Huge Settings ).
If it just lag during tripple speed... Don't use it
While waiting for enemy you can sit back and enjoy a drink =D

[Teodosio]

4. On that note...any tips for increasing frame rate when the game is set to triple speed? My game instantly lags a ton once I crank up the speed to double, and even more at triple.

I think the main thing you could do is to reduce graphics settings. Turn shadows to none, no antialiasing, reduce resolution, and so on.
It would be useful to close any other process running on your pc, since they consume useful cpu-time (antivirus and others).

[Garnier]

I think the main thing you could do is to reduce graphics settings. Turn shadows to none, no antialiasing, reduce resolution, and so on.
It would be useful to close any other process running on your pc, since they consume useful cpu-time (antivirus and others).

I wouldnt lower graphics just to make it not lag on super fast speed. Just let it lag. Usually you won't be playing an intense battle on that speed, its mostly for letting the enemy army march to position, or when you are chasing routers. The CPU just can't handle everything so fast.

[azithinkibe]

Thanks guys!

Another question though...

How can I force my army to stay in the position I set it up in? I group them together, choose the auto formation that most closely resembles what I want, and then adjust them slightly to what I like. But as soon as I start to march, they all run back to the auto formation.

And on that note, is there anywhere that explains in detail what the new group formations in SPQR are as opposed to the standard RTW?

[jegui]

Thanks guys!

Another question though...

How can I force my army to stay in the position I set it up in? I group them together, choose the auto formation that most closely resembles what I want, and then adjust them slightly to what I like. But as soon as I start to march, they all run back to the auto formation.

And on that note, is there anywhere that explains in detail what the new group formations in SPQR are as opposed to the standard RTW?

Do not group your units until you have deployed them in the desired positions or otherwise they will default to the auto formation you have selected for the group intially.

If you want to use one of the pre-defined auto formations and customise some of the units in them, do the following:

1- Select all units and group them (CTRL+A and 'G').
2- Choose one of the pre defined auto formations (SHIFT+1..9).
3- Ungroup the units ('G').
4- Select and rearrange some of the units at your taste .
5- Select all units and group them again (CTRL+A and 'G').

Now everytime you select the group and move them they will hopefully keep the formation. Unfortunately this does not always happens because depending on the type of group composition (light/heavy/missile) the game defaults them to 2 line basic formation

My advice is not to group your customised formation... just select all units (CTRL+A) and keep the ALT key pressed whilst clicking on the position you wish them to move in the battle map. They will all march to the that area whilst keeping their formation and still facing the same direction, very cool indeed

GROUP FORMATIONS IN SPQR

SHIFT 1 - Single line formation (all units in one long line)

SHIFT 2 - Pre-Marian classic formation (Velites -> Hastatii -> Principes -> Archers/Slingers -> Cavalry/General)

SHIFT 3 - Double line (Infantry -> Skirmishers -> Archers -> Cavalry/General)

SHIFT 4 - Sorted Double line (Half Infantry -> Skirmishers -> Cavalry/General -> Archers -> Half Infantry)

SHIFT 5 - Post-Marian classic formation (Light Auxilia -> 3 lines of Cohorts -> Archer Auxilia -> Cavalry/General -> Spear Auxilia)

SHIFT 6 - Wedge formation (3 lines of Cohorts -> Cavalry/General -> Light Auxilia -> Archer Auxilia -> Spear Auxilia

SHIFT 7 - Square formation (only works with a small group of units -> General in the middle of a square of infantry units)

SHIFT 8 - Column formation (a column of cavalry -> skirmishers -> archers -> infantry -> auxilia -> General

Hope it helps

[Jon66]

Or just form your army up as you want it to be, and then select all the units and group them together

[Konig]

How can I force my army to stay in the position I set it up in? I group them together, choose the auto formation that most closely resembles what I want, and then adjust them slightly to what I like. But as soon as I start to march, they all run back to the auto formation.

the way i do it is at the beginning of each battle, is set your army as you want them to be. then i select them all (CTRL + A) and mash the G key to group an ungroup them, and i leave them grouped. after i've done this, i just right click and drag on the battlefield where i want them to go, and a silhouette of my army (the yellow triangles that represent a unit) appears on the ground the way i want them to be set up (the way i left them grouped).

there's probably an official and more efficient way of doing this but it works for me.

[hannibeau]

see you learn something new everyday...thanx for the grouping tip konig...i will definitely be using that feature in the future...my past experience w/ grouping was to: a. set up units; b.start battle; c.hit ctrl-a and march them in unison towards wherever...w/ that grouping feature one would have way more control...like for instance if i get to close to a small rock formation while marching under ctrl-a the units split off into unwanted formations...i like having terrain features like rock formations on my flank to protect that particular side but if you march just a little to close then-boom-men scattered in unfavorable areas sapping unit strength and legio cohesion...thx, hannibeau...p.s....i have been playing RTW since hitting the streets and i never knew of this feature w/ in the unit grouping icons...i knew of course of unit grouping but just never put 2+2 together...thx again