General Blitz Tactics?

[Sabre120]

Hi guys, I've had a brief search and most other threads seem to be based on specific factions, so I was wondering, as a player who has been turtling for some time, but would like to a bit of pace into my games, what are some general rules of thumb that I should apply to blitz campaign? Any advice concerning unit types to use, formations and tactics, economy, diplomacy etc will be very beneficial, much appreciated in advance guys.

[totalwar_legend]

What kind of blitz are you thinking of doing? A full on one or just a moderate one?

If you want help for a full on one then check out my blitz campaign on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...P1aK_c__NER4Zf

Although this is probably to the extreme of what you want to do, you'll get a general idea of how to expand quickly.

[PrestigeX]

Concentrate on recruitment of Cavalry - especially the use of the 'lower tech tree' cavalry -- Border Horse, Hobilars, Kazaks, Polish Shooters (streckies) and so on - these units are inexpensive and really good all game long when used for their role. Early on, you haven't got other options , but even with more expensive heavier / more elite cavalry, your lower-grade Cav is still extremely useful arguably more so than comparatively priced infantry units.

Forget about tech-up for armor, and other 'building oriented' tactics. Leave tiny garrisons in place, unless invasion of that settlement is imminent. Soldiers waiting around in a city/castle, are just costing money.

You see, most of the time when you 'blitz' you end up conquering new castles and cities that have already been built up! Not to mention , they are already on the frontier -- troops from 'built up' starting provinces have to travel all the way to the frontier.

Be Flexible in your tactics and unit ability. Sometimes you will have to fight with an All cav force, or you have Cavalry and Archers/Xbows and no melee-infantry... Othertimes you might have an army with a tiny core of elite-veterans and then masses of lesser grade soldiers -- town militia, peasants, religious fanatics..

Exploit Crusades and Jihad at every opportunity -- just because the Target is say.. Antioch, doesn't mean I can't have another army travelling far, paying no upkeep, and recruiting tons of high-quality mercenaries headed towards "Arhus" -- all you need to do is ensure that you take the target relatively soon so that the 2nd (or 3rd or 4th, no limit to how many of your armies can be on crusade I believe) doesn't Desert.

If you're not interested in Crusade/Jihad targets, gift them to a friendly-faction -- I usually do them just to get the plunder , the moneys earned via success, load up on the high-quality mercs, and of course the Experience for Troops and Traits for Generals =)

[Sabre120]

I'm just going to start with a moderate blitz at best and hopefully get quicker as I learn more. Thank you very much for your advice PrestigeX, very helpful indeed!