Tips for a Roman newb.

[hippacrocafish]

I've just installed RSII (Fantastic mod, these are definitely some of the most gorgeous units I've ever seen in any TW game) and I'm having a bit of trouble getting a handle on the combat and the economic system, so I thought I'd ask for tips. I didn't bother with vanilla for more than two hours, so I'm lacking experience there. My problems so far:

1. What causes settlements to get negative income and what is the best way to remedy it? What should I focus on building in order to have a booming economy?

2. I've tried and failed to beat Hannibal twice in the Roman Campaign (H/H, my difficulty of choice for all TW games) his units just seem to slice through mine like butter and they will not rout even if they are severely outflanked, being attacked from behind by cavalry, and after their general has fled the field. So I need general tips for combat, these light infantry-heavy armies are really throwing me off and I have no idea how to use them effectively. Is it better to waste all of your javelins before charging or is it better to get into combat ASAP?

EDIT:

Wrong sub-forum. My apologies mods.

[Hellhound1]

Moved.
Hellhound1

[ImperatorCaesar]

I wouldn't worry too much about 'negative income' because what you are seeing is just the cost of running the army - income from that settlement. It's normal to see a settlement with a -1000 income on it, because you are supporting an army with that population. The cost is proportional to the size of the settlement, which is why it sometimes appears that a small settlement is making money, but a larger one isn't: the larger one is supporting a bigger cost of your army.

I also wouldn't worry too much about losing to Hannibal. You are supposed to lose that battle to make the beginning of the campaign more fun.

[hippacrocafish]

I wouldn't worry too much about 'negative income' because what you are seeing is just the cost of running the army - income from that settlement. It's normal to see a settlement with a -1000 income on it, because you are supporting an army with that population. The cost is proportional to the size of the settlement, which is why it sometimes appears that a small settlement is making money, but a larger one isn't: the larger one is supporting a bigger cost of your army.

I also wouldn't worry too much about losing to Hannibal. You are supposed to lose that battle to make the beginning of the campaign more fun.

Oh, I didn't realize I was supposed to lose.

If I can't beat Hannibal early I don't know what I'll do. :l

And thank you for explaining the negative income.

EDIT: I fought Hannibal for a third time and inflicted heavy casualties on his army, not to mention that I killed Hannibal himself (With Slingers no less XD). Now to defend Rome!

[ImperatorCaesar]

Oh, I didn't realize I was supposed to lose.

If I can't beat Hannibal early I don't know what I'll do. :l

And thank you for explaining the negative income.

EDIT: I fought Hannibal for a third time and inflicted heavy casualties on his army, not to mention that I killed Hannibal himself (With Slingers no less XD). Now to defend Rome!

Some people have managed to defeat him on M/M but destroyed their armies in the process. I like it better when he's a threat to Arretium and Ariminium.

[medievaldude]

well i defeated his whole invasion with my second battle i just trying to get genoa..roman rebels were noo threat odd i destroyed them in 3-5 turns but this is first rebellion if i remember there's more i also got Carthage and that Carthaginian province/settlement next to yours in ilberia/spain... im playing on H/H though i play VH/H on med2 (battle/campaign) i also defeated Macedon twice but i seen another army i feel i will soon face the full stack of greeks soon

1. hmmm for me i increase taxes maybe wine trade better roads ports

2. i believe your in manipular deployment Hannibals troops have lots of experience compared to yours
like Hannibals naked fanatics your cavalry is weak compared to his numidians and what not Ally republican cohort (ones with white shield )better than regular republican cohort.. triarii are useful velites yah but maybe hit them on sides because of enemy shields BUt really i dont have much to tell though Mercs were my help

[hippacrocafish]

It's seems once Hannibal is dead it's really easy to beat the Carthaginians into a pulp. I'm on turn 4-5, H/H, Hannibal is dead and I'm beating the Carthaginians in Northern Italy and Spain. I've landed an army at their capital as well. The only place where things aren't going so well is Albania/Greece where the Macedonians are about to make mince meat of me.

I actually scared an AI army off the battlefield, after engaging in minimal combat they withdrew their whole army, so I sent my cavalry after them and inflicted heavy losses.

I'm enjoying the mod so far, I'm glad I decided to buy Rome.

[Proconsul Gaius]

It's seems once Hannibal is dead it's really easy to beat the Carthaginians into a pulp. I'm on turn 4-5, H/H, Hannibal is dead and I'm beating the Carthaginians in Northern Italy and Spain. I've landed an army at their capital as well. The only place where things aren't going so well is Albania/Greece where the Macedonians are about to make mince meat of me.

I actually scared an AI army off the battlefield, after engaging in minimal combat they withdrew their whole army, so I sent my cavalry after them and inflicted heavy losses.

I'm enjoying the mod so far, I'm glad I decided to buy Rome.

Had same problems with Hannibal and I've played this for years. So I thought about it a little and did what the Romans did to (somewhat) defeat him. I did not move or attack him at turn 1 and for some reason or another he ignored the starting legion and moved away north. Next turn I garrisioned my legion in Arretium and started moving the Sicily legion and Scipios legion towards North Africa. Hannibal laid siege and took the northeast most city I had in Italy (forgot its name atm), Italians started revolting which I ignored. Hannibal laid siege and attacked Arretium, was killed in the battle along with almost his entire army, however took the city. Had made a second legion in Roma that I than sent next turn to take back the city, killed off his last men, than attacked and took the other Carthaginian held city. Than last army laid siege to me and I killed that one same way. Easy as pie, Italian rebels were harder imo because they just swarm you and its overwhelming with what you start with in Italy.

[Luca Brassi]

the trick for defeating hannibal is to reinforce your starting army standing next to hannibal with troops from rome and those awesome cavalry from capua, when you have superior cavalry, you can defeat hannibal quite easily

[Proconsul Gaius]

the trick for defeating hannibal is to reinforce your starting army standing next to hannibal with troops from rome and those awesome cavalry from capua, when you have superior cavalry, you can defeat hannibal quite easily

Restarted my Roman campaign yesterday. Found a sure shot way to defeat Hannibal in the second turn on H/H difficulty on the field, and not in a siege. Take Nepos legion and leave it be for the first turn. Go to Capua, move entire army to Ariminium (think thats the name, top right city above Hannibal). Move units from left side city over as well into Ariminium. Recruit as many allied cohorts as you can with current funds in Arriminium. End turn, on the second turn Hannibal seems to ALWAYS lay siege to Ariminium *have tried many Roman Campaigns in a attempt to get off to a good start and he always does this in my game, 2nd turn guaranteed* so when he lays siege take Nepos legion, attack him. You'll have the entire army that has just been built up in Ariminium supporting you. Let AI control it, I beat killed him easily with only 500 losses total, me and AI legion sandwiched him nicely. Only problem this leaves is the Roman rebels, which I still havent found a easy way around. Truthfully Hannibal and the other Carthaginian army seem like the least of my problems compared to the rebels.

[Ferdiad]

To defeat Hannibals army just take off the head of the snake, once you kill him your troubles are over.

[hippacrocafish]

To defeat Hannibals army just take off the head of the snake, once you kill him your troubles are over.

So I've learned.

I'm not looking forward to those Italian rebels though.

[czePowerslave]

I went to summon all possible stacks from surrounding cities to attack Hannibal, also used the spy to prevent the armies from getting caught off guard. Despite losing large portion of my army he got killed. But now the rebellion...

[Proconsul Gaius]

The best solution would be to prevent the rebellions altogether. However I think its unavoidable because even if I dont lose a battle, Crotona, Cannae and Crotona still find a way to rebel :/

[Chinaski]

Personally, I find it more convenient to deal with the rebels first, with -all- my forces, and let Hannibal conquer the North. Once you regain control of all your southern cities, the money is flowing in and you can easily push the Carthaginians out of Italy.

[Tesla]

if you want you could have a look at this http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=396194

[Proconsul Gaius]

Just finished mopping up the roman rebels and hannibal on the 5 good emperors. I dont know whats worse, his elephants or the rebels swarming numbers >.< Those elephants litterally routed 3 polybian cohorts and 1 1/2 units of Triarii. Ridiculous XD