Step-by-Step Guides

[Knights_of_Palma]

Hi,

Just bought this game and I can't get into a game like RTW. Is there any step-by-step guides to help me along?

[Knights_of_Palma]

No-one?

[NobleNick]

Have you played RTW before you got M2TW?

There is (IMHO) an enjoyable tutorial whic should get you started.

Or are you talking about deeper strategies?

[Wheelchair]

I'm actually in the mood to write a Guide, be it devoted to a specific faction or all around I think I might.

[Knights_of_Palma]

I've played RTW and completed a few, but in MTW2 I just can't seem to get into a game, as I seem too lose to many men, and the years go to quick. I'm looking for a step-to-step guide to tell me what to do every turn to help me to get started, thats all.

[Wheelchair]

You can change the amount of years that go by.

Year scale 2 to .50

[townie33]

If you go to this site,http://http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/, they have really good guides for every faction.

[Wheelchair]

The link is broke, you added http twice.


http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/

Fixed. lol

[Wheelchair]

I was reading through some, and these people Don't know how to play MTW:2.

Knight Of Palma, Follow these directions:

C://ProgramFiles/Saga/MedievalTotalWar/Data/World/Maps/Campaign/Imperial_Campaign/Desc_Strat

If you scroll down a BIT, you'll see Timescale, Its at 2.00, Change it to .50

press CTRL+S to save.

Edit: Not sure how to change movement, Although mods change and balance it.

[Knights_of_Palma]

Where do I find the file to change the year length and movement speed/distance.

[Knights_of_Palma]

I click CTRL+S and then a message comes up saying - Cannot create 'C://ProgramFiles/SEGA/Medieval II Total War/Data/World/Maps/Campaign/Imperial_Campaign/Descr_Strat.

Make sure the filename and path are correct.

So I click OK and the save as box comes up. I try to save a Descr_Strat but it says - Descr_Strat.txt This file only exists with Read Only attributes.
Please use a different file name.

Edit- I named the file Descr_Strat1 then saved. Then I went back into the Imperial_Campaign files and changed the Descr_Strat file to Descr_Strat2 and then changed the Descr_Strat1 to Descr_Strat. It works now if you followed all that.

[Junius]

I click CTRL+S and then a message comes up saying - Cannot create 'C://ProgramFiles/SEGA/Medieval II Total War/Data/World/Maps/Campaign/Imperial_Campaign/Descr_Strat.

Make sure the filename and path are correct.

So I click OK and the save as box comes up. I try to save a Descr_Strat but it says - Descr_Strat.txt This file only exists with Read Only attributes.
Please use a different file name.

You can right click on the descr_strat file before opening, open up 'Properties' (bottom of drop down menu) and deselect 'Read Only' under the attributes tab (Again at the bottom of the window). Then you can edit and save it.

[Knights_of_Palma]

Also is there a strategy for sieging anywhere, I'm useless. And defiantly one about cavalry, I just can't control them, they move slow, sometimes when I attack only 1 or 2 men actually attack.

[townie33]

search the forums, there have been plenty of threads on how to conduct siege attacks and how to use cavalry. ( The vanilla game has plenty of bugs so if you are unhappy about any gameplay issues go download a mod, they are really good at fixing the issues with vanilla )

[Thompson45cal.]

Also is there a strategy for sieging anywhere, I'm useless. And defiantly one about cavalry, I just can't control them, they move slow, sometimes when I attack only 1 or 2 men actually attack.

Best thing I had to help me was, online multi-player battle replays..... If you can hold your own against human players, then most time you can destroy the AI players even on hard setting.

Theres a few good replays posted in good replays for download. Might throw a eyeball on them.

[Thompson45cal.]

Have you considered using the in-game tutorial?
Might be a thought.
Far as tactical trade secrets, the treasure trove lies before you.... but much like seeking treasure, ya have to do some digging.

Thompson45cal.

[Knights_of_Palma]

I've done the tutorial and I can't seem to find any guides. Cheers fergusmck but I sorted that problem out.

[NobleNick]

Also is there a strategy for sieging anywhere, I'm useless. And defiantly one about cavalry, I just can't control them, they move slow, sometimes when I attack only 1 or 2 men actually attack.

We can handle these more specific questions. Maybe if you get up on these the rest will flow more easily.

SIEGING: It is a bit tougher in M2TW than it was in RTW. It is harder to avoid losses. There are substitutes for Heavy Infantry (HI); but HI makes it so much easier. Here are some of my tricks -->

1.) Use pause, to think your strategy and tactics through, and often during battle to ensure your men are carrying out your strategy. Do NOT unpause until you have a plan.

2.) Siege with a large, DEFENSIVELY sturdy force with good missile support, and wait the enemy out. Eventually they will sally. Quickly form a defensive line with your HI or spears, while simultaneously raining arrows down on the sallying enemy (before they can get into formation). Then let the enemy impale themselves on your defensive line.

3.) This is a nasty trick which works well -IF- executed flawlessly against an enemy with little or no cav: Siege with an entirely cav force, until the enemy sallies. Split your forces into 2 parts: a main group which includes the general; and a much smaller force. Move away from the gate and from each other. The enemy will usually toatlly empty out of the city and chase the larger force. Lure the enemy to the far corner of the map. Try to destroy enemy cav if they have any. As the enemy nears the corner of the map, rush your smaller force to the empty city square, starting the victory timer. The enemy, realizing their mistake, will rush back towards the city. At this point, use your main cav force to gang up on slower units. Whether the enemy makes it back in time or not is moot: victory should be yours.

4.) If you want to take a city the old fashioned way, with a straightforward assault, use a good mix of HI, spears, ranged units and maybe a little cav. Seige for a few turns and build enough ladders, rams and towers to siege all 3 walls and at least one gate, simultaneously. I usually build 1 ram, 3 ladders, and then towers and more rams as needed. If the enemy does not have enough men to cover all 3 walls, start your assault at the empty wall. IF the enemy repositions to meet the threat, they will leave another wall empty: attack that wall. Try to position and time your attacks such that enemy units on the walls will be between two of your attacking units.

For a real treat, catapults and trebuchets can bring down walls in the early game, and gunpowder siege equipment in the late game.

The enemy will retreat to the town square. Move your troops forward from all directions, with HI or spears in the front, and archers behind them. Shoot up the square from all directions until your arrows are gone. Then charge in with all your best melee troops to finish them off.

Cav can sometimes seem a little glitched in M2TW. Are you patched to 1.2? Cav need a lot of room and good terrain (free of trees and rocks) to perform best. Also, if you run them too much, some will lag behind. I find that reforming them often at the new destination sometimes helps the stragglers pick up the pace.

[Knights_of_Palma]

Cheers for the tips Nick. I usually RP, so I will take towns the old fashioned way.
Do I need to Patch to 1.2 or 1.1 then 1.2?

[Wheelchair]

I highly suggest getting a mod >.>, SS3.2 for Non-kingdoms and SS6.2 for Kingdoms.

I play those and love them ^^