The British ships on Napoleons battles 0_o

They never give up, never surrender, never get angry and their hulls seem to be made of Iron. Just when I was finally to ¨get¨ naval battles on campaign I get humbled by Nelson time and again.

I don´t even get it:

Battle of the Nile, I form a line, sorround the 1st half of the British fleet. I am shooting them more than I am shooting them. My fleet starts exploding and things go downhill from there. At least I killed Nelson.

Trafalgar: I try to form a Line with my Line ships, the Spanish are working for the British because they seem to be intent on crippling my fleet movements by being in the way. Spanish Rout almost instantly and I am left alone with my 5 ships of the line vs the whole British fleet. One would think the Spanish would sink someone but noooo. I don´t even know why the Spanish decide to break formation and attack upwind >_>. Battle always ends up with me calling the Spanish useless and screaming to my PC

I have searched for all the guide, read them, tried to do the same. I still get destroyed by the British. Anyone got some tips for the 2 historical Naval battles? Its the only 2 battles I have yet to finish on Very hard.

AI cheats on Very hard how about medium? Do they behave more realistic then if you have equal admirals?
I feel your pain though I got pretty owned by Nelson as well. He did have a bit more man power but I put it all in on this forst 122-ship and it would just never cave lol

Originally Posted by windsupernova

...I get humbled by Nelson time and again.

Trafalgar: ...Battle always ends up with me calling the Spanish useless.

Sounds like NTW has given you the authentic Admiral Villeneuve experience then.

Originally Posted by windsupernova

I have yet to finish on Very hard.

That's probably the root of your problem. The British Navy has a distinct advantage in morale and ship strength to start with, adding the bonuses that VH gives the computer means you're going to get the "never give up, never surrender" and "their hulls seem to be made of Iron" result.

Dial down the difficulty and approach these battles as you would any other sea battle (i.e. forget the historic aspect/tactics) in the game.

Originally Posted by meme_engine

Sounds like NTW has given you the authentic Admiral Villeneuve experience then.

I know, right?! I honestly can relate to him now XD

Originally Posted by meme_engine

That's probably the root of your problem. The British Navy has a distinct advantage in morale and ship strength to start with, adding the bonuses that VH gives the computer means you're going to get the "never give up, never surrender" and "their hulls seem to be made of Iron" result.

Dial down the difficulty and approach these battles as you would any other sea battle (i.e. forget the historic aspect/tactics) in the game.

Thing is that on campaign I do well on Naval battles(finally!) even on VH. Its the stupid historical scenarios the ones giving me trouble.

Keep up with the Spanish fleet. Your fleet must not scatter all around. British comes in two columns. My suggestion is that you have to shoot their ship's astern and bow. But try not to let them make same for you. All your sheep should destroy their ship one by one. This one is worked for me.

Why do we like playing actual real life reenactments?
When we all know how they really do end up?

Originally Posted by Centurion2105

Why do we like playing actual real life reenactments?
When we all know how they really do end up?

The point isn't to see what the results are, its to in a sense be there, at that very moment and see how it all actually played out, just simulated. Don't see how you wouldn't get that.

Bah stupid British they really are unstoppable at seas.

I guess i will resign myself to only seeing gold in the ground battles

I managed to do Trafalgar on Very Hard last night. I wasn't very realistic in my tactics but it worked! I left the Spanish AI to go over and attack the left group of ships (they don't do a great deal of damage before surrendering) whilst my ships arrange and fire at the right group (HMS Victory and co). I luckily managed to get one of the front GB ships to explode, and damaged the smaller ships at the back before turning my fleet away (into wind direction) to avoid getting hurt too badly. I had also wrapped my two smaller ships round to the side (I think it is a brig and something else) which have a longer range than GB ships and do some marginal damage. GB ships then follow me round the map, now and again I turn a ship round and fire a broadside at them, quickly moving away before they get a chance to retaliate.

I just ignore the British navy all together. It's better to have a strong army than a strong navy, especially if you play as France.

Originally Posted by xboxedd

I just ignore the British navy all together. It's better to have a strong army than a strong navy, especially if you play as France.

You don't have a ground forces in historical battles.... All you have is a fleet