Help with Battle of Hastings please

[lafeeverted]

I am new to the game and although I have read many of the excellent threads and guides for tactics I just cant seem to be able to actually put them into place in the field. I am playing this battle on medium difficulty. I have tried a number of things that all lead to my ultimate destruction. Basically I have taken out the brothers on the flanks using my archers. Then I send a spear unit in on one side to try to draw out the line.I have tried a single unit of spearmen or somtimes a group of three with only one attacking . At this point usually what happens is a large portion of the Saxon army will descend upon me and no matter what I do I am overwhelmed. I am not able to use my mounted knights successfully in attacks and they get wiped out. I suspect I am not getting enough of my troops in the fight but holding them back in reserve for too long. With so many of my forces gettign wiped out by less than half of the saxon army I am reluctant to commit too much at once. I have tried splitting some cavalry off to the flanks for charges at the sides of the descending saxons but I am still paying a heavy price before I can get them out again. All in all it is a disaster time and time again. Although I am holding out longer every time I am still only prolonging the eventually defeat! Any advice would be welcome.

[Ishan]

Use flaming arrows that scares the crap out of the AI units faster.
Flank the AI units.
In this battle the French cavalry comes form behind to surprise the player. When engaging with them pull of ur units back until there charge runs out and then engage them in melee.

If the French cavalry hits a charge on you then it's game over bro so make sure it doesn't happens.

[Theseus1234]

Use flaming arrows that scares the crap out of the AI units faster.
Flank the AI units.
In this battle the French cavalry comes form behind to surprise the player. When engaging with them pull of ur units back until there charge runs out and then engage them in melee.

If the French cavalry hits a charge on you then it's game over bro so make sure it doesn't happens.

That's the Battle of Agincourt

In Hastings, you shouldn't attack with your cavalry first, just get near them and draw them out. They'll come down the hill and you can attack with your spearmen. After some fighting, hit them in the back with your cavalry and they should go running. Repeat for the other side if they're still in place and voila, you should have only the huscarls to deal with now.

[Ishan]

OMG how the hell that happened.Coz seriously no excuse how it happened.

In hastings (1066)with ur archers Aim for the last generals unit(Saxon Bodyguard) if u are lucky enough then a arrow might nail Harold the Saxon and boom the whole Saxon force stumbles and routs like cowards thats the most easiest way to win it.

The kings unit is at the last.

[lafeeverted]

Thanks for the tips. I will keep at it!

[Ishan]

Good luck bro.

[lafeeverted]

Still no joy with this battle!

Just for fun I let the AI run the show and it was no better, the Saxons simply overwhelm my side.

I tried bringing some cavalry around the back side but it caused more mayhem as the entire army decided to attack. Oh well, haven't given up but it is a bit frustrating.

[Ishan]

You do know the cavalry charge, pull back & again charge tactics don't you?

[Supermoler]

Best strategy how to win with cavarly ^^

[lafeeverted]

Yes but still having trouble with this. I double click on my target and then once the charge finishes I pull them back but still suffer many losses. I have sent up to three units on the charge at one time. SHould I be sending more than that?

[Theseus1234]

Yes but still having trouble with this. I double click on my target and then once the charge finishes I pull them back but still suffer many losses. I have sent up to three units on the charge at one time. SHould I be sending more than that?

Oh I see. The trick is not to actually charge them at all, just lure them out. The theigns will decimate your cavalry, so you want them to run up the hill, relatively close to the shield wall, and then back down and only on one side. That way, the line breaks and you can destroy that part of it. After your done with the bit that follows your cavalry, you can repeat the process for the other side. Then, the saxons will have 2 exposed flanks that you can exploit at your pleasure!

[SirRobin]

That's interesting, I thought the Battle of Hastings was only included as the tutorial level ?

[VersionLangley]

Are you sure you lure them correctly?.....once the bait troops engaged, wait for a narrated trigger before withdrawing your troops, that will lure almost half the wall toward your bait unit

Two alternate things that works for me:
-One archer shoot down the huscarls on one wing the other three shooting 2 Theigns on the other wing. Use all your arrows. Bait the huscarls wing and after a bunch of troops go for the bait, use cavalry to punch the weakened Theigns wing. So cavalry is punching a hole on the side opposite of the bait side

-Since Harold is in an inf group, make a Harold snipe squad of 3 cavalry. station your main line mid of the hill. After the bait and the Theign line move downward, micro-only your 3 cavalries and find a way to kill Harold. The Theign will auto-rout

[lafeeverted]

I was not engaging initially with cavalry, only with a spear unit and then disengaging and "running away". I would try to charge the pursuing units with cavalry before they could set themselves to defend the charge. I think I am just not getting it quite right, learning curve at play Please keep sending tips and suggestions they are all helpful.

[lafeeverted]

@Version Langley Those suggestions sound good will try.

@SirRobin Go to Single Player/Historical Battles you will find Hastings there

[Ishan]

I already told the OP to pay attention and kill one unit that is Saxon bodyguards having Harold the Saxon once he is smoked either via archers or Cavalry the game is yours.

Theseus is absolutely right charging head on spearmen units will decimate your cavalry but first engage them in melee with your infantry and then flank them with ur cavalry.

[lafeeverted]

Making some progress finally! I successfully charged and routed the saxons who were defeating my troops. I have tried targeting King Harold but have not been able to kill him yet. Once the Saxons decide to attack in full I lose. I am getting used to the way the battle plays out and how the fighting is resolved. All in good time. Thanks for all the help.

[Theseus1234]

Making some progress finally! I successfully charged and routed the saxons who were defeating my troops. I have tried targeting King Harold but have not been able to kill him yet. Once the Saxons decide to attack in full I lose. I am getting used to the way the battle plays out and how the fighting is resolved. All in good time. Thanks for all the help.

No problem. Good luck with the battle. For the general, I suggest concentrating all of your archers on him after you've killed the brothers on the flanks or make sure you surround him with your spearmen instead of taking him head on. His bodyguard is made of 2H axemen infantry, yes? Verrrrry very vulnerable to a cavalry attack.

[lafeeverted]

I have sent my cavalry to attack Harold. However, it isn't until he is on the move and I am really out of position to attack and can't get a clear run at him. One time I managed to get my cavalry units behind their main line by breaking through on one side as the troop were descending but as soon as I launched a charge the Saxons returned to defend the king and my feeble attack collapsed I will beat this thing! Still trying to kill him with archers just a lot of trial and error. Loving the game, wish I had more time to play.

[nhinhonhinho]

Bring your crappy archer to as close as possible (the Saxon won't move anyway). I event place my archers just 5-6 step from the enemy line. Then start shooting 2 Huscal units who stand at both flanks. These men don't have shield so you can take down all of these units before run out of ammo. Then use archer at cannon folder charge in melee then retreat to draw them out. You can also send your spearman to draw them out of the line. When their line is break it's up to you