How do you fight chariots?

[Aristarchus]

Maybe this topic has been brought up before, but I can't find a thread on it: How do you successfully fight chariots? I know the Greek phalanxes opened up to let them pass through and then closed in from all sides - this tactic even appears in the old movie with Richard Burton as Alexander. If you have phalanxes this can be approximated in RTW; but what about when playing as Spain, for example, going up against Briton chariots without the help of phalanxes? The chariots can charge a position then cut their way out. They can beat back even an overwhelming charge of heavy cavalry. And they can outrun light cavalry to escape. I want to kill them. Please help.

[piranha45]

are you playing vs the AI or human players?

[Prince_of_Macedon]

Maybe this topic has been brought up before, but I can't find a thread on it: How do you successfully fight chariots? I know the Greek phalanxes opened up to let them pass through and then closed in from all sides - this tactic even appears in the old movie with Richard Burton as Alexander. If you have phalanxes this can be approximated in RTW; but what about when playing as Spain, for example, going up against Briton chariots without the help of phalanxes? The chariots can charge a position then cut their way out. They can beat back even an overwhelming charge of heavy cavalry. And they can outrun light cavalry to escape. I want to kill them. Please help.

As Spain, you're pretty much screwed if your opponent picks any of the chariot factions (Egypt, Pontus, Britons). Honestly, you're screwed even if you're using Rome. Your best bet as Spain is to use a lot of upgraded Slingers. Keep your Slingers protected with melee troops but be weary that Spain has no unit that can properly stand up to melee-chariots (as a hoplite/phalangite would). So the Slingers will have to create a wall of fire around your army.

[avesta]

prince's solution is the best. also, it may help to put your units in guard mode when receiving the charge from the chariots as this will keep them in tighter formation. a tighter formation means that less chariots will be able to pass through and penetrate the line resulting in less losses. but beware that in guard mode units usually do not attack as hard as they do without guard mode.

[Aristarchus]

At least I see by the "you're screwed" response that I'm not the only one with the chariot problem. Since the original post I started a game as Dacia (playing M/VH) and adopted a strategy like Prince of Macedon describes above, putting blocks of archers out front, backed by solid swordsmen with weaker but faster falxmen on the sides. Rather than charge, I let the melee units walk through the archers once they are planted in their stations, then time the flank cavalry attack on the chariots when a sword unit is close by to help stop them. For cavalry, I am finding a mix of light and heavy work best. The light horses touch their noses on the chariots first and look tempting enough to make them turn to attack, then the heavy horses pummel into them. Still not pleasant, but the best I have so far.

[Aristarchus]

Also, as it happens, I started using the guard mode in the middle of the field as Avesta recommends, letting the archers work. Thanks for the note on the slower attack.

[Double A]

Hey, you're not screwed as the Romans if you've got TRIAII

[Vanoce]

Having had most of a full stack of Julii decimated by 2 units of Pontic Scythed Chariots (I tried all tactics but all failed) I found I could effectively destroy them with Ongers. Get within range and slowly pick them off! what doesn't get destroyed will rout and with them out of the way you can start the battle ......

All my forces in Turkey now contain at least 2 units of Ongers ....

[Aristarchus]

I found I could effectively destroy them with Ongers. Get within range and slowly pick them off! what doesn't get destroyed will rout ...

Thanks for the onagers tip. As the Scipii, I am just starting a war with Pontus and expect one soon with Briton. I'll add onagers to my forces!

[Wolf-RTG]

Don't forget to use flaming arrows.

[Erwin Rommel]

spain eh................well a couple of pila shots from the scutarii will handle them and oh yeah.............those bull warriors

[Kratos]

The single most importants rule to remember whe fighting chariots is that they are only dangerous when moving. If you can pin them down and hit them with heavy infantry you will make short work of them.

Deep formations of infantry is a way to get around the problem. A charge will still cause great damage though so you may want to have a unit in the front, preferably a missile unit. This unit will provoke the chariots to charge, absorb the charge, and then hold the chariots for a second, which is about long enough for your heavy infantry to get to there and make short work of them.

As Wolf-RTG mentioned, flaming arrows work wonders against chariots, both the melee ones and those nasty chariot archers.

Skirmishers have an attack bonus vs chariots and in loose formation they will suffer fewer casualties when charged, and still pin them down long enough for other troops to come and finish the job.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

As Wolf-RTG mentioned, flaming arrows work wonders against chariots, both the melee ones and those nasty chariot archers.

He didn't say they worked wonders against Chariot Archers. He only said: "Don't forget to use flaming arrows." Flaming arrows only "work wonders" against melee-chariots.

Chariot Archers don't go down easily which is why clanmembers limit the amount of Chariot Archers a person can have. With No Rules, chariot-archers have No Limits.

Chariot Archers are the real danger. And flaming arrows won't kill them because Cantabrian Circle will render a hail of missile fire virtually impotent (in terms of cost-effectiveness). Also, no amount of heavy infantry will save you from their arrows. This is speaking in terms of online play because human players know how to abuse chariot archers (unlike the AI).

[Kratos]

(unlike the AI).

And there is my point Sorry, was talking single player (where cantaberian circle is rarely used by the AI)

[Xavier Dragnesi]

My experience with chariots is just to put most of your infantry into a square formation, then apply guard mode. Wait for the chariots to charge, but don't attack. When the chariots hit the infantry and slow down, release guard mode and then attack. Kills off a lot of them. You can also put some units in reserve behind these infantry so that they can close in on the chariots once they have slowed. But never attack while they are coming at you, otherwise you'll get flattened.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

My experience with chariots is just to put most of your infantry into a square formation, then apply guard mode. Wait for the chariots to charge, but don't attack. When the chariots hit the infantry and slow down, release guard mode and then attack. Kills off a lot of them. You can also put some units in reserve behind these infantry so that they can close in on the chariots once they have slowed. But never attack while they are coming at you, otherwise you'll get flattened.

The problem with that strategy is that your opponent will be using Chariot Archers. No square can protect itself against Chariot Archers shooting from a Cantabrian Circle.

He's not going to charge into your "square" without using all of his arrows first. And by the time he's out of arrows, your square won't even be recognizable.

[Barry]

bog them down baby. oo very long spears would help.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

I'm referring to Chariot Archers in Multiplayer. Testudo doesn't protect you either since humans will simply maneuver around for a rear shot.

[Xavier Dragnesi]

Hehe, I seem to refer to everything from campaign as that's what I play most. But AI is just dumb when it comes to that sort of maneuvering, so it's a perfectly good strategy on campaign. I suppose in the event of multiplayer, you'd just have to hit them from two sides or more, cos they can't fire at more than one unit at a time.

[_TubbZ_]

From a mp perspective they are a real pain the A$$ if used by a competent chariot commander, basically they should rule the field. To rout them you need bog them down, shoot em with slingers or strangly enough get to them with pikes. although often chariots will be supported by archers, infantry and chariot archers you have to be careful and keep your wits about you.