Germans

[Bull4330]

I just downloaded this mod a few weeks ago and I have to say that it's truly a great improvment over the original RTW. My only problem with the game is the insanely powerful German hordes. So far, I'm still using pre-marian legions and the Germans constantly send stacks of experianced chosen axemen down the gaps in the alps, making short work of my legions. Even after I flank them with calvery charges, they keep pushing through my lines. Anybody have any tips for dealing with these barbarians?

[Garnier]

They are tough... hmm. What I do is deploy in the standard formation. After the hastati have thrown both their pila and delayed the germans for a bit, pull them back at almost full strength behind the princeps. Use the triarii on the flanks to fight cavalry or in the center to plug gaps. Then send all the hastati around to the rear of the germans, along with the cavalry. Charge all your cavalry together to weaken the barbarians, then charge from behind with hastati. After a while when the germans are shaken or wavering, throw cavalry charges into them repeatedly and rout them.

[themrwho]

Hi Bull4330,

I was so depressed about the same enemy. But now I came up with a good solution and I feel comfortable against them.

Basically I am using mountains in my defensive strategy against them. It both gives my missiles bonus + it tires the enemy so that they can't even fight with me.

This way I generally lose ~30 or so troops before killing their ~3000. How I do this is explained below.

I'd like to hear comments on this from veterans but AFAIK this is NOT cheating the AI since at all times in the history defense is a good strategy and we all know that defenders try to use terrain, yes?




I keep a full legion standing on their way in mountain passes and when they attack me, I deploy my troops on the mountains, at the very peak of the mountain.

This is the exact way I deploy them:

--------------------------------------------
***LOWEST GROUND****
POSSIBLE ENEMY SPAWN POINT (middle of the battlefield)




S1....S2..............


H.H.H.H.H.P.P.P.P.P.
.......V......V..........
[x]T.......T.....T.....[y]
...C....G....C..........
***HIGHEST GROUND****
--------------------------------------------

Notice that Slinger1 and Slinger2 are positioned closer to the battlefield center, this way they start showering the enemy with roses much earlier than usual. This will take their missile units on the way. If they don't have much missile, then it'll remove one light infantry.

At some point when the enemy gets closer, slingers are *manually* directed to point marked with [x]. When they get there they will be very tired or exhausted after running upwards on mountains.

At this time depending on number of enemy units, one or two Triarii (in Guard Mode) will keep the enemy engaged while slingers continue their rose-showering back. Since Triarii is fresh and in Guard mode they'll just stand there and keep the enemy busy while killing them at a very slow rate - it is exactly what I want.



The main battle line which consists of Hastati & Principes all at set to GuardMode=ON, FireAtWill=OFF. Velites who stand right behind this main line is also in GuardMode=ON, FireAtWill=OFF, and SkirmishMode=OFF.

My goal here is to set their FireAtWill mode on at a crucial moment when the enemy is almost engaging them. Give enough time to your men to finish all their pillas but don't let them do this before the last minute. This way you'll get maximum efficiency from each pillum or pilla whatever.

At the same time set Velites' FireAtWill mode to ON too. Again, timing is crucial, you'll learn the right time on your first or second try.

Losing a great many men to pillums (or pilla uhmmm?) at so close distance lowers exhausted enemies morale so greatly that I mostly don't have to charge them at all. (I just have to order my H + P to follow and kill routing enemy units).


Oh before turning the FireAtWillMode=ON for main battle line, don't forget to send your cavalry and general to point [y]. This way they will be at a closer point and ready to follow routing enemies without travelling a longer distance at full gallop and without disrupting the main battle line.




Sometimes -but not mostly- enemy engages the main battle line. On this occasion use your cavaly to charge their wing units. After 2-3 charge&pull-back loops they'll rout. Apply the same tactic until they all rout.

Then go ahead and exterminate them.




----------
Thanks to LT (and all others who contributed) for this great MOD.

[el_dude]

i generally try to wait for marian reforms before tangling with the germans, but some things you should remember, with pre-marian units you should not fight germans in the woods or in the snow, since they get bonuses to their stats in both cases...use shieldwall, your hastati can hold them at bay while you wheel your principe and triarii around their flank and chew down the line (i've actually been lucky enough to completely encircle their entire army on a few occasions), and keep charging their rear with cavalry