asymmetrical warfare {FOTS or Vanilla}

[canadian]

In my current campaign I have a most of my professional forces pushing along the coast with naval support attacking imperialist stronghold. The problem is that my southern mainland flank is pretty weak, luckily I have only to only hold a bridge as a choke point. This can only last so long though as my enemies as starting to mass along this flank. So I'm now trying a raid and hit run tatics along there to give me some time and weaken my enemy. So far Im sending my cavalry in deep to attack farms and trade items with levy infanty going in to attack smaller armies, before I end turn I usually retreat across the river or into the woods. Basically I was wondering whats your opinion on raiding and skirmishes and your tactics your use, send expendable units deep into territory etc.

[arras]

Best way to hold front against superior forces in vanila (I do not play FOTS) is to hold inside fort for me. Strategically positioned. You can defeat forces 3 times size of yours if you have experience with defensive sieges. As for raiding, best way to do it are agents, if you do it with units, you always risk to get caught, cornered and completely wiped out. But if you have good intelligence well in to enemy territory (for which you again need agents) you can do it. But few damaged farms are not going to have much effect. Smaller the force, less the damage too.

If you want economic war, use agents. 4-5 experienced agents working on enemy economic buildings can wreak havoc to his economy if you are patient. You can even start rebellion or two. But do not expect to see effect by half damaging two farms now and then.

[O'Hea]

The castle defense strategy works well in vanilla but in mid-late FOTS castles can be death traps. They're very useful when defending against enemies with no artillery but if they bring any significant number of cannons, you're in trouble.

EDIT: I do agree that the best option for asymmetrical warfare is agent use. Using ninja to immobilize enemy armies is probably the single best delaying tactic available to you, and inciting revolts or harassing troops is also a way to blunt the enemy's initiative.

[RAFAEL]

In FOTS its a bit trickier, you see in S2TW the worst scenario would be your enemies bring mass samurai bows which can really hurt your men in lvl 1-2 castles but even in that case you can still beat them. In FOTS the worst case would be your enemies bring massed guns (4-5 parott guns for ex) which can wipe out your forces quite easily. So in FOTS you need to know your enemy quite well before you let him besiege you.

[SupAll]

Castle Defense strategy still works well. Mass all your units to the center, and use the actual center castle to block the artillery fire. The AI will target towers and walls. When the AI finally gets to the center tower, counter-attack with your forces. The AI troops should be Winded by that point, while your troops are still fresh. Mix your units with the AI's and the enemy artillery will be doing you a favor by hitting its own troops. Their General will also be far away from most of the fighting, so make sure your General and his abilities are helping you win the center.

Agents help out a lot, though.