Can't win at Battle of Hastings

**Scias** · October 10, 2008, 02:22 PM

For so long I haven't been capable of beating the Saxons on the Battle of Hastings historical battle on MTWII. I am aware of the tactics I must use to draw out their weakness (mainly attacking their left flank and retreating) but the amount of archers and melee troops I have in total (which are slightly smaller in size than the saxons) doesnt help me achieve my set goal.

Also using my cavalry efficiently is hard on the battle map as there is small amount of space to maneuver them.

Either that or I'm a complete noob coming from a player with 3/4 years experience playing total war games

**Lysimachus** · October 10, 2008, 03:25 PM

I tried focusing my cavalry in to the parts of their line featuring non-spear units (Huscarls, Earl's Huscarls') and then using the armoured sergeants as a delaying mechanism so I hopefully could destroy their flanks and then swing round their flanks and charge their rear. Funnily enough, when I first played the M2TW Battle of Hastings tutorial I won! Strange.

**Sodbuster** · October 10, 2008, 05:00 PM

That battle is a very difficult one. If you switch to flaming arrows, use the tactic to draw out their flanks without losing very many cavalry, then loop your cavalry around behind them as their line hits yours, you stand a chance at routing their lines. However, the easiest way to win is to simply pincer attack the enemy general between two units of charging cavalry which usually kills the general and wins the battle.

**Legionary Jezza** · October 11, 2008, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Sodbuster

That battle is a very difficult one. If you switch to flaming arrows, use the tactic to draw out their flanks without losing very many cavalry, then loop your cavalry around behind them as their line hits yours, you stand a chance at routing their lines. However, the easiest way to win is to simply pincer attack the enemy general between two units of charging cavalry which usually kills the general and wins the battle.

The tutorial is meant to be won

but in the historic battles section it's slightley harder, as for tactics well everbody has said the ones I use.

-Evil

**Toorima** · October 12, 2008, 08:49 AM

I found that battle a difficult one too. I was to impatience to win it, but killing Harold an encircling the saxon line sounds like sound advice.

**Magno** · October 10, 2008, 05:40 PM

I circled my cavalry behind them through the woods, attacked their general from behind, before their men had a chance to attack my cavalry i had them retreat through the woods and drew them towards my men, then as they clashed with my men i had the cavalry again charge from behind. Did that repetitively and eventually i overcame them.

**Scias** · October 12, 2008, 10:42 AM

I was able to beat them after a few more replays and i think its just a matter of using your cavalry effectively as well as not keeping them in combat for too long as they almost certainly suck against an abundant amount of spears.

Now I really wanna try and win at Arsuf as that is 100x worse of a situation to be in...

**Toorima** · October 12, 2008, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Scias

Now I really wanna try and win at Arsuf as that is 100x worse of a situation to be in...

Yeah, Arsuf's a tough one. The key is to keep your troops together and to strike with concentrated power. I think I attacked the troops on the hills to the north from two sides, alwys being aware of sending cavalry against archers and spearmen against cavalry. Wow, weak advice.

**Antissa** · October 12, 2008, 10:56 AM

I find the Battle of Hastings to be difficult too. Those Saxon Theigns are hardy ; even when I have them surrounded with Mailed Knights and Armoured Sergeants, they're killing them with every single spear thrust.

**Scias** · October 12, 2008, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Antissa

I find the Battle of Hastings to be difficult too. Those Saxon Theigns are ungodly powerful ; even when I have them surrounded with Mailed Knights and Armoured Sergeants, they're killing them with every single spear thrust.

Im sure that was the point in making them so much stronger compared to the normans, no doubt they would have had a will to fight to whatever means to not be oppressed by these foreigners ...

**Theseus1234** · October 12, 2008, 09:03 PM

the key for me was pretty much concentrating my fire one one flank, using cavalry as suicide bait (1 or 2 units) and then the rest go through the opening, cavalry and infantry. the cavalry go behind the lines and hit the bodyguard in the back while my infantry eat up their flank

**Pinky333** · October 13, 2008, 02:59 PM

I dont think historical battles are any fun

**nemr** · October 13, 2008, 04:36 PM

what about this battle..?

Originally Posted by Pinky333

I dont think historical battles are any fun

in vanilla, yes

but try costum campaign mod 2

there are awesome new historical battles

**Scias** · October 13, 2008, 05:45 PM

damn would love to see a replay of that... shame they didnt incorporate a replay save feature though

also thanks for the custom campaign mod 2 suggestion ill check that out

**nemr** · October 13, 2008, 06:16 PM

I have not replay file, battle went in this way

>>cuz my weak english (read it on your own risk)

I group 3 cavalry units in my left flank and same in the right

after the ammo of archer end

I attack left flank of saxons ((think earl huscral)) by one cavalry unit and retreat

and saxons attack with half of their infantry alone without ant support of the rest of their forces((they lose their defensive position)),quickly I attack them with all my infantry and
flanking them by rest of my cavalry

then the second wave of saxons started after foreced them to leave the hill by circled them with my cavalry through woods ((three units in left as mentioned above))
and throw it in enemy right flank with duke william support

saxons`s right flank destroy

then they scattered disorderly in the battle field>>king harold killed but not by norman cavalry

**Sodbuster** · October 13, 2008, 08:02 PM

Man you must be good with cavalry! Look at all those chevrons.

**nemr** · October 14, 2008, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by Sodbuster

Man you must be good with cavalry! Look at all those chevrons.

my cavalry have more chevrons((experience)) but its reduced in the end

of battle

anyone have a conclusion for this ..?

compare with previous pic

**Sodbuster** · October 17, 2008, 11:19 AM

Yeah all units lose some chevrons at the end if they take a lot of casualties.

**Scias** · October 14, 2008, 07:22 AM

Is still much more important to not lost too much cavalry as you need as many to keep breaking the flanks and rear of their infantry as they are already hard enough to take out as they already have more infantry than you have.

Also that UI layout you used is also useful as I'm pretty sure alot of people love to use that layout as used in MTW for it doesnt take up too much of the screen space if you catch my drift...