multiplayer battle AAR

[thrashing_mad]

This AAR shows one of the battles of our league. SS 4.1 Poland (me) vs Portugal (Spacehusky) Points: 6000 Poland (attacker) 5000 Portugal (defender). Time limit 15 minutes.

Round 1

thrashing_mad POL(attacker) VS Spacehusky POR(defender)

Portugese deployment

First bad mistake made by Spacehusky, which probably allowed me to win, was pick catapult as first unit, and thus making it general`s unit. As you can see he deployed it in front of his line, which was another mistake, and his first move once battle started was withdrawal of catapult at the rear.

His front line consisted of four peasant crossbowmen units, wisely arrayed in spread formation, to minimize losses in case of eventual missile fire. Second line was made from 3 units of spear militia - too thinly arrayed IMHO ( easier for me to brake his formation and thus morale ).

In the rear Spacehusky kept his general bodyguard (but without general), fourth, reserve regiment of spear militia, and on right flank two units of feudal knights. Those two powerful, disciplined and heavily armored units, were main threat to my forces, and their eventual charge would crush any infantry regiment in seconds.

Polish deployment

Bulk of my forces were made of infantry. Line consisted of four units of woodsmen - fragile but with powerful, armour piercing charge -, and two units of polish dismounted nobles on wings - reliable medium infantry. I also deployed three units of peasants before main line. Their aim was simple - cannon fodder to stop eventual missile salvos and charges. General bodyguard followed this main formation at far rear, ready to go wherever he`ll be needed.

On far right I`ve deployed 2 units of Strzelcy (mounted crossbowmen), incapable in close combat, but fast and able to pierce weaker armour with their crossbow bolts.

On far left flank were 2 units of Polish Nobles - they are excellent javelin throwers, but also good hand-to-hand soldiers with good morale, and decent armour. Not so good as feudal knights but still capable.

Battle

Seeing two units of feudal knights I`ve sent my whole missile cavalry galloping to Spacehusky`s left wing. They were main danger, so I wanted to weaken them best way I could. In the meantime, core formation of infantry and general began slow advance to the enemy.

When Spacehusky noticed my advancing cavalry, he made good move: he moved his feudal knights away from vulnerable flank to the center, and ordered one unit of his peasant crossbowmen to return fire of my Strzelcy.

At this point my Strzelcy couldn`t fired at feudal knights, and wasted their time and bolts by shooting at loosely arrayed crossbowmen. Thus I`ve decided to move a bit closer, entering to enemy`s rear. This was risky because, you can`t see it on screen but I moved meters from the edge of battlefield, and my Strzelcy were easy target for charge. I`ve disabled their skirmish formation, otherwise they could stuck in battlefield edge. At the same time I halted my Polish Nobles half way to enemy flank. With their close range, they couldn`t get close to portugese feudal knights, and were endangered by crossbowmen`s fire.

Feudal knights were under heavy fire of my Strzelcy. Their heavy armour gave them good protection, but few of them died from time to time. Finally Spacehusky decided to charge them. Usually charging at missile cavalry with knights have no sense, but here they were close to battlefield edge.

In case of AI-controlled skirmish formation they would probably be charged and crushed, but I 'clicked' retreat action of my Strzelcy personally, and succeeded.

Spacehusky halted charge of his knights after few seconds, seeing that they couldn`t catch my cavalry. More and more of them fell with each moment, so he decided to move them to his left wing, probably to get them out of fire and to eventually deal with my main force, which was getting closer.

In response I`ve sent my Polish Nobles galloping to Portuguese left flank, moving in wide arch to avoid crossbow fire.

Maneuver succeeded and my cavalry started to throwing javelins, devastating ranks of feudal knights, despite their heavy armour. Knights tried to charge again, but I`ve retreated them succesfully, though with some luck - due to their armour they aren`t so agile as Strzelcy.

[thrashing_mad]

In the meantime, my core troops almost reached enemy positions. Peasants screen fulfilled it`s role - only few woodsmen and dism. Polish Nobles were dead, but not due to crossbow fire but enemy catapult. To my surprise Spacehusky decided to attack my infantry with his spear militia. He commanded his troops to charge at my peasants. I ordered them to retreat at flanks and rear. In effect his charging infantry, unable to reach fleeing peasants, and loosing their momentum, were charged by my infantry. Each of his thinly arrayed spear militia units were charged by two of my woodsmen or dism. pol. nobles from front, while previously retreated peasants where moving into their flanks and rear.

Luckily for me, Spacehusky decided to charge with his knights my Polish Nobles instead of my infantry. I didn`t retreat them this time, it was better to bind them with meele combat, rather to allow them do charges at my infantry.

Outnumbered, and attacked from various direction, Portuguese spear militia rather quickly broken into retreat.

My infantry began to pursue fleeing enemy, and to fight and quickly rout Portuguese crossbowmen engaged in h-t-h combat. I moved whole army around most important spot of the battle, where Polish Nobles were fighting with enemy feudal knights and general bodyguard.

Polish Nobles held surprisingly well. They are worse than knights but still have good morale, armour, and combat skills. Their will of fight was straightened by sight of routing enemy infantry, and massive encirclement action executed by fellow Poles.

At this point I`ve thrown everything against Spacehusky`s knights, trying to attack from all directions.

After one minute or so all of enemy knights were slain:

I was kinda surprised when I realized that POR general weren`t with general bodyguard units, but with catapult crew. Somehow he managed to escape, and battle was won.

[gro_green]

I loved your aar, tactics were sound and well implemented.

am interested in the little slide shows and how you put them together, would you be kind enough to enlighten us.

cheers
gro

[thrashing_mad]

I loved your aar, tactics were sound and well implemented.

am interested in the little slide shows and how you put them together, would you be kind enough to enlighten us.

cheers
gro

Thanks. Slideshow is simple gif animation - few images put into loop. You can easily make them with free software, for example google 'beneton movie gif'

nice one mate, good job
btw OT are you in the Polish MOD Team :wink: .

Thank you, no i`m not

[Chola_Kingdom]

nice one mate, good job
btw OT are you in the Polish MOD Team .

[Daergar]

Very nice AAR, looking forward to one where the other fella doesn't make a horrendous, although understandable, error regarding the general unit. I want fierce action dammit!

[Nightbringer]

very well written, great job!
you used some good tactics to take down your foe
keep it comeing

[DenniZ]

Nice read

[thrashing_mad]

Thanks for comments. I`ll make another AAR tomorrow - I played as defender on map 'Le Village' having 5250 points, while attacker had 6000. My foe was totally surprised when he realized that I deployed my troops in unusual way - instead of hill I`ve chosen village. Thus, even outnumbered I won:



After that battle we decided to ban 'Le Village' as unbalanced, or make point penalty for defending players. I was surprised by effectiveness of my tactic, and even though battle turned out to be unbalanced, maybe you`ll be interested in reading about it.

Here`s replay file for those interested: http://dodownload.filefront.com/8501...b4475446f79ba1

[thrashing_mad]

Here`s AAR from my last battle with Varyar.

Round 4

Varyar DAN(attacker) VS thrashing mad POL(defender)

Polish deployment

In this battle, attacking Dannish army worth 6,000 points was faced by defending Polish force worth 5,250 points. Map Le Village have slight penalty because of higher ground and woods in defender`s zone. During many league battles defenders usually deployed their forces on a hill in the center of their deployment zone. It`s good position protected by woods from one flank and impassable cliff from the other. However, after watching replay of HanninbalBarca2 deploying part of his forces in a village below a hill, I decided to use same tactics. This will be surely unexpected by Varyar, and both - his starting position and army composition will be suited for a standard pitched battle.

I`ve decided to deploy infantry based army. In the map above enemy deployment zone is on the top, and center of his zone is to the top left.
To weaken superior numbers of the advancing enemy, I fielded 4 units of Dismounted Lithuanian Cavalry - their long range and accuracy was main factor for taking them. They were arrayed along main road going through center of the village, and they were facing north-west direction - center of enemy deployment zone.

Then I also took 2 units of Lithuanian Archers. They are worse shooters than Dism.Lithuanian Cavalry, both in range and accuracy, but they come with excellent features for this kind of plan - sharpened stakes. Because they are one of elite unit choices for Early Era Poland, I was allowed to take only two of them. I`ve deployed first unit, along with stakes, at the western entry to the village - probable area of highest concentration of attacking enemies. Second unit with stakes was deployed to the south entry. I knew that Varyar is smart tactician, so I predicted that he`ll try to attack from the rear with his cavalry, instead of frontal assault (I would probably did the same in such situation)

4 units of Spearmen were core elements of my defense plan. I deployed them at the 4 entry routes to the village: western, north-western, northern, and eastern. Because of deployment zone restrictions I`ve placed them nearby their future defensive positions. Their aim will be to make a stand against advancing hordes of the enemy, guarding each entry arrayed across the roads with flanks protected by the village buildings, and deep rank formations. I also selected 'guard mode', so that they`ll stay on their positions and keep formation tight.

Then I also took 3 units of woodsmen - they have poor morale and defense, but charge of this 2-H axe wielding infantry can be devastating, even for armored opponents. I deployed 2 of them in the center - they`ll act as an emergency force, strengthening spearmen at each endangered entry if need will be. One of them were placed at the western entry - possible place of main enemy attack.

Finally my general`s unit - Dismounted Polish Nobles - my best infantry unit, but far behind for eg. Dismounted Feudal Knights. I deployed them in the center of the village, and they`ll be sent to protect south entry zone if need will be.

I`ve also taken Polish Nobles - medium armoured cavalry with good morale and skill of throwing armor piercing javelins. I deployed them far away from the village - hidden from the eyes of the enemy in a forest, on the opposite edge of the map. Because almost 90% times players keep their general at the rear - using them in the very last moment, aim of Polish Nobles was to kill enemy general, once he`ll be left unprotected. Because Varyar would probably take General Bodyguard (heavy armored knights), Polish Nobles with their javelins will be good for this task.


Finally deployment was finished, and I could take a look at enemy.

As you can see, Danish army was deployed for pitched battle, and they were facing south direction - hill where defenders usually deployed their troops. Thus Varyar had to quickly alter his plans, as well as formation of his army. Now, let`s take a look at enemy units.

On his left flank Danes have two units of Huscalrs - well armored warriors wielding armor piercing axes with good morale. Then on both flanks of his core infantry formation, Varyar fielded total four units of peasants - they`re just cheap cannon fodder, but they can be still used as distraction or screens against enemy missiles. At the front attackers have 4 units of peasant archers - unskilled shooters with poor range, but still able to kill unarmored opponents. Then we have 4 units of Viking Raiders - medium infantry armed with armor piercing axes and shields. On the far right flank, Danes had 2 units of scouts - light and fast cavalry with lances. Their charge can be devastating but they can`t stand long in meele. There is also unit of dismounted huscarls - very good infantry, with good morale, armor and skills. At the rear Varyar kept his General Bodyguard - well armored elite knights - his best unit.

Comparison of forces:

POLAND:
5x Medium Infantry
3x Poor Infantry
4x Good Archers
2x Medium Archers
1x Good Cavalry

men 941

DENMARK
4x Poor Infantry
5x Medium Infantry
4x Poor Archers
2x Light Cavalry
2x Good Cavalry
1x Elite Cavalry

men 1076


to be continued soon..

[thrashing_mad]

First thing that I did once battle commenced was to move my infantry to defensive positions indicated on the map - I couldn`t do that during deployment. I also indicated impassable elements of the village with darker colors.

It also turned out, that Danish Huscarls were in range of my Dism.Lith.Cav., and they started to rain arrows upon the enemy cavalry from the very beginning of the battle.

In response, Varyar retreated Huscarls out of range of my archers, and he also sent his Peasant Archers forward, to return fire, while his core troops reformed.
At this point, I commanded 2 units of Lithuanian Archers to hurry out from the stakes deployed by them at the S and W entries, to the centre of the village, so that they could shoot at the enemy.

While enemy slowly advanced under fire of my archers, my spearmen and Dism.Polish Nobles reached their defensive positions. As you can see they were arrayed in tight and deep formations across the roads of the village - thus numerical superiority of enemy units would be countered, and my infantry couldn`t be flanked.

Danish Peasant Archers began to shoot inflamed arrows at my infantry, but due to their lack of skill they were loosing duel with my, better archers.

As you can see on the map, Varyar moved his 4 units of peasants in the direction of NW entry, while rest of his infantry (4 Viking Raiders + Dism. Huscarls) were advancing to the W entrance - thus my guess about highest concentration of attack in this area seemed to be correct.

Also, as I suspected, his cavalry was galloping to rear entries - 2 units of Huscarls to the E, and 2 units of Scouts to the S.

Seeing how enemy attack will look like, I`ve sent my reserve Woddsmen units - one to the E, other to the S entries, to help spearmen make a stand against incoming enemy cavalry.

Also situation in NW area was quite worrying - four units of Danish archers concentrated fire on my spearmen, while horde of 4 units of peasants advanced upon them.

..

[thrashing_mad]

Thus, enemy peasants attacked at NW, and Huscarls at E enterances. Scouts were galloping fast in the south, while amassed Danish infantry prepared for assault at W. You can also see that enemy general is left alone - only peasant archers are near him. Thus I commanded my Polish Nobles hidden in the woods, far to the west to gallop - however, it`ll take some tame for them to reach enemy position.

Mob of enemy peasants striked at shield wall of my spearmen at NW. My men were outnumbered 4:1, but with flanks protected, better skills, morale and equipment they could stand a chance against enemy. On the other hand, enemy peasants poor morale, was lowered even more by heavy fire of my archers.

At the E enterance, enemy Huscarls attacked.

Because they don`t use lances, their charge isn`t so devastating thus my spearmen and woodsmen had fair chances against them.

In the meantime enemy started their assault at the W enterance, outnumbering my Spearmen and Woodsmen 2:1, however - not all of the enemies were able to reach my men due to narrow space, and they were under constant fire of my archers.

At this time, my Polish Nobles were slowly reaching their target - enemy general.

Unfortunately, he moved with his bodyguard towards N entrance, away from my incoming cavalry. But there were good news coming from E and S areas.

Most of the Huscarls were slain, stopped by shieldwall of my spearmen, and chopped by axes of my woodsmen. Only few survivors retreated from the battle.

At the NW entry my spearmen held well against peasant mob, however only half of their original number left. On the other hand peasant`s morale begun to shatter slowly.

At the W area, my troops still stand on their positions, but they were dying slowly, while enemy outnumbered them 2:1. However, thanks to protected flanks and rear they sill fought, and their morale didn`t fall yet.

..