Ambushes

**Muagan_ra** · January 30, 2009, 07:03 PM

Just want to know a few things about setting ambushes, if anyone can shed some light;

(1) Is there a maximum size for armies that can set ambushes? I've noticed that I sometimes can't with full armies, but I can with armies a little bit less than half sized.

(2) Are there any variables that determine whether or not the enemy will fall for the ambush? Does the ambush need need to be set a particular distance from the enemy (or otherwise the AI will see it?)

Thanks in advance.

**axnsan** · January 31, 2009, 12:31 AM

i once spotted an enemy army ambushing with my spy. saved game becoz i wanted to do some tests
went near it with my army and then gave a command to pass by it. guess what? you have been taken completely by surprise and will have no time to prepare for the battle!
i did this 4 times. 3 times they were succesful and once not
so IMO its completely random

**Conquistatore** · January 31, 2009, 06:31 AM

If you hide your units in trees the only way for the enemy to see them in time to avoid it is to use a spy. A normal army can't see ambushing armies.

It is a matter of setting an ambush and waiting for an army to fall into your trap and hope your ambush is successful.

**Muagan_ra** · January 31, 2009, 01:11 PM

As I thought, I was wondered if anyone knows how the AI responds to ambushing.

I've recently had great fun setting ambushes for Byzantine armies outside Constinople, got a captain promoted to a general out of it! But I've had instances where even though my army was hiding in a the woods, a few Byzantine armies where still able to attack them.

**kannwar** · January 31, 2009, 04:20 PM

Also, if you have units in your ambush army with the "Can't Hide" trait i think that will prevent you from setting an ambush as well. Mostly artillery pieces such as Mangonels, Trebuchets, Bombards etc have this trait so just don't include such units and you should always be able to set an ambush (this has no effect on whether it succeeds in taking the enemy by surprise or not however).

Artillery is too slow and ponderous for ambushes anyhow.

**Muagan_ra** · January 31, 2009, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by kannwar

Also, if you have units in your ambush army with the "Can't Hide" trait i think that will prevent you from setting an ambush as well.

Does that include Generals? I notice your commanding General can never hide in woods on the battlemap.

**Pink Beard** · February 01, 2009, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by kannwar

Also, if you have units in your ambush army with the "Can't Hide" trait i think that will prevent you from setting an ambush as well. Mostly artillery pieces such as Mangonels, Trebuchets, Bombards etc have this trait so just don't include such units and you should always be able to set an ambush (this has no effect on whether it succeeds in taking the enemy by surprise or not however).

Artillery is too slow and ponderous for ambushes anyhow.

No that's incorrect. It means u can't hide in the battlefield (woods, etc.) with said unit. I've did succesfull ambushes with artillery before, no problems with that

.

one special note: Ur general must have movement points left. If he does he will duck (sorry, what's another word for that? Crawl?