the seleucid's elephants - how to fight with them?

**dominic** · March 19, 2007, 05:50 PM

Recently I've begun the war with Seleucids for Asia Minor. It's my first time in RS when I conflict with Seleucids. Before the war I won all battles in my campaigne (level vh/vh, provincial campaigne). But after....

Their elephants are not beasts, they are tanks!!! I don't understand how to fight with them. Before this war I conquered all West Africa fighting with Carthage, and Carthage's elephants didn't create problems for me - they easily were crushed by onagres, pilums and fired arrows. But Seleucids' ones - are something beyond my understanding....

They arenot crushed by any methods. I used onagres, pilums and fired arrows, all these didnt have effect on these "beasts". However hard I may try, they trample down my legions one by one... I already lost 4 battles, no one victory and 3 eagles were lost!!!

Im giving up.

Are there ways to fight with these beasts?

**aja5191** · March 19, 2007, 06:12 PM

Javelins.

Lots and lots of javelins.

**pseudocaesar** · March 19, 2007, 06:29 PM

yeh like at least 3 to 4 velites per army

**swhunter** · March 19, 2007, 06:37 PM

And very big ROCKS !!

:

**dominic** · March 19, 2007, 06:41 PM

thanks guys.

I'll try to use javelins to more extent....

PS Although I used pilums of legionaries and this had no effect....

**Brutus!** · March 19, 2007, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by dominic

thanks guys.

I'll try to use javelins to more extent....

PS Although I used pilums of legionaries and this had no effect....

I think they didn't add the +X Vs. Elephants due to the fact that it only appilies to the primary weapon (in this case the sword.) But I could be totally wrong here

**el_dude** · March 20, 2007, 05:46 AM

also use fire arrows, that will make them panic and run into their own troops (and maybe yours too!)

**aja5191** · March 20, 2007, 09:00 AM

But if you use fire arrows, make sure to use them only when the elephants are advancing, and near the enemy's lines. If they're too close to your lines, they could go berserk in your own lines, killing many more soldiers than necessary.

**HunterKYA** · March 20, 2007, 03:04 PM

Word of advice:
Make sure you keep your javelin units idle and away from the battle for as long as you can, only use them when the elephants are threatening your line. And just when they think they have you beaten, have your men unleash their javelins into the elephants and if they're placed well enough, they should bring down an elephant in two volleys, and if you're really lucky, one volley could bring down pairs of elephants. Always be mindful to keep these men well protected from any type of infantry, missile, or cavalry units so they can concentrate solely on the elephants. All of this requires good timing and instincts. If done properly, you shouldn't have too much difficulty in bringing those monsters down, because the bigger they are...the harder they fall. It just may leave you asking yourself "How come I didn't think about this before?" depending on how easy it was for you.

Happy elephant hunting!

**cherryfunk** · March 20, 2007, 03:21 PM

Alternatively, you could use the secret flamethrower unit that dvk has hidden in the game. It takes care of elephants in no time!

**dominic** · March 21, 2007, 06:26 AM

Thanks, gentlemen!

Auxularies and javelins really work.

Not so good as against Carthage's elephants, but any way at least I began to win battles...

two armies of seleucids with 4 units of heavy elephants in each one were joined to their ancestors....

It is like that it was turning point of my war with seleucids.

At least the next of their armies had much less elephants than previous ones...

My legions with confidence are marching ahead to Damascus... maybe Jupiter help them... I dont think so...