What are your favorite Battle Formations & Grand Tactics?

[wrcromartie]

TW Veterans, what formations do you prefer? Do you use formations/strategies based on actual military history, or do you prefer to just line em up and micromanage the enemy to death?

Does anyone else use the manipular system? I use it all the time. In Rome & Medieval, it doesn't take much imagination to see how this could work. But even in later games like Napoleon/Empire (with firearms), I think a modified manipular is very effective. Using gaps in the line allows me to develop multiple concentric cones of fire & cover a longer space, and the gaps leave lanes through which my cavalry reserve can charge without impediment. Of course, artillery can also be placed in the gaps.

I can't wait to be back using the manipular in the proper historical setting in Rome 2.

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What grand battle tactics do you use? I often use a modified oblique order, shifting my triarii (or reserve guard) over to one flank or the other right as the armies are moving towards engagement. With velites (skirmishers) & hastati (first line infantry) holding the enemy in place, my triarii reserve can work one flank, while the principes can plug any gaps in the hastati lines. Often I'll refuse my weaker flank, having them march in reverse while the strong flank presses forward.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[torongill]

Modified Leuctra:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Argon Viper]

Infantry in the center, two lines if the enemy's line is short enough. Ranged units just in front, retreating as the enemy approaches. Cavalry to the flanks, pushing around once the infantry locks the enemy in position.

[Dan113112]

Hammer and anvil tactic as I usually play Greek factions in mods for RTW. My tactics vary when playing Rome but I usually try and model my Roman armies on a historical model. Now that Athens is confirmed I might play as them and use Theurophoroi/Thorakitai light troops and different tactics.

[TuranianGhazi]

Horse Archers PERIOD

No, seriously... maniplar is a great, tried-and-true tactic and is what I usually use in NTW, Shogun 2, and FotS (when cavalry is weakest).

However, for every other TW game that has Missile Cavalry Horse Archers, even including ETW surprisingly (with modded realistic bow range higher than musket but lower than rifle), I use the classic feint a retreat strategy into entrapment, whilst peppering the enemy safely from distance with arrow fire, micromanaging my HAs to never get caught by either enemy cavalry or infantry. Protecting my HAs against enemy melee cavalry with anti-cavalry melee cavalry, preferably camels who scare horses.

How did you do the box animations? I could show better than by describing.

[Honorable Poncho]

One of my all time favorite strategies is to keep my cavalry hidden at all times until I call on them to make the decisive blow. Sometimes I'll even have a couple cav units in plain view to lull my opponent into a false sense of security. Then, once he moves his cavalry close enough, or just plain throws away his cav early, you spring the ambush. After your opponents cav is gone, you have the upper hand. Now he has to worry about your main line AND those annoying units of cavalry constantly maneuvering about, waiting for the right time to deal the decisive blow. The cavalry advantage is a magnificent thing.

A strong infantry line is always important too, however. They always do the heavy lifting while my cav makes the decisive blows. Either way, I like to employ an aggressive offensive strategy that allows me to be in control of the battle. I enjoy keeping my opponent on his heels by forcing him to constantly be making defensive maneuvers.

[vietanh797]

Follow Alexander style and you will conquer the whole world

[American Hoplite]

Grand tactics: Lesson One:
Never tell your enemy how you plan to kill them.

[karamazovmm]

its very simple

I will deploy 3 armored infantry regiments (thinking in striker with different configs), with howitzer support, that ought to do the trick

if not, nothing like a squad of leopard 2 to mop up those elephants

I wanna see alexander beat that

[vietanh797]

its very simple

I will deploy 3 armored infantry regiments (thinking in striker with different configs), with howitzer support, that ought to do the trick

if not, nothing like a squad of leopard 2 to mop up those elephants

I wanna see alexander beat that

He will say "bring our Helicopters"

[karamazovmm]

He will say "bring our Helicopters"

no problem I will deploy 9k22 tungska and it will be dealt with, along with a rapid sortie of tomahawks to deal with the rest of the airbase

Sadly, hammer and anvil is the tactic used in about 99% of my melee-oriented TW games.

given that I still use it against the AI in NTW and ETW...

[vietanh797]

no problem I will deploy 9k22 tungska and it will be dealt with, along with a rapid sortie of tomahawks to deal with the rest of the airbase



given that I still use it against the AI in NTW and ETW...

Alexander : "nuke them"

[BobTheShogun]

I dunno about you guys, but I just have my infantry in a line (with elite troops on the flanks) with archers in front, when enemy advances, move infantry forward, and I have my cavalry on one flank, with spearmen on the other. No need for crazy formations.

Have beaten several legendary campaigns this way.

[Sun Jetzu]

For beginners I would suggest using the formations the game gives you, they work pretty well and almost manage themselves. Very minimal micro management. I prefer to put my sword in the front, in a U formation. Then I put bows inside the u, to shade them from cover. Then either more infantry to close the U up or Cavalry trotting from the back. Next to my general. Normally the top of the U takes the brunt of the damage and I send my units to wrap around the enemy while firing arrows down. Then the horses work themselves around, And either fight more cavalry or close up the enemys in the U.
But it depends on what troops I have

[PROMETHEUS ts]

This is the problem with TW games..... Because the game is not enough smart to understand them , react to them or offer semiendependant programming of subformations so that they react to enemy according to the plans.........

so The battle formations are totally totally useless..... The usual formations is always the line up archers , spear / infantry behind and cavalry usually behind or at wings...

[McCarronXLD]

This is the problem with TW games..... Because the game is not enough smart to understand them , react to them or offer semiendependant programming of subformations so that they react to enemy according to the plans.........

so The battle formations are totally totally useless..... The usual formations is always the line up archers , spear / infantry behind and cavalry usually behind or at wings...

This. I've tried using formations before but it never works out well. Always end up having to line up melee, archers, and then cavalry on the flanks. :/ Blob warfare. Hopefully Rome 2 can get rid of this but I doubt it!

[ptoss1]

Blob the center and have cavalry charge the sides.

[Keyser]

@Prometheus

To be fair that was the standard deployment of almost all armies until the Renaissance.

[caissus]

Sadly, hammer and anvil is the tactic used in about 99% of my melee-oriented TW games.

[Spitjaw]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ63VnQei-k

Pretty much sums up all Total War games