| The "Keep It Simple, Stupid!" Rule and Warfare | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 9 2009, 04:32 PM (338 Views) | |
| Atmoran | Aug 9 2009, 04:32 PM Post #1 |
|
Recently I've been reading a bit about battles in both antiquity and the middle ages, and I'm beginning to believe that the greatest generals are those who execute simple and fitting battlefield tactics efficiently. The Battle of Cannae comes to mind. A simple, well-executed tactic demolished the Roman army in one of the most crushing defeats in history. What do you think? |
![]() |
|
| Darkom | Aug 9 2009, 06:25 PM Post #2 |
![]()
|
Play the Total War games, fight a battle by sending out only three or four cavalry units against an army of six or seven infrantry, cavalry, and archers. It's incredibly easy to win with some simple flanking and trapping manuevers.
Edited by Darkom, Aug 9 2009, 06:25 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Shades | Aug 9 2009, 07:02 PM Post #3 |
![]()
|
I don't know if I'd call that a simple battlefield tactic, but the roman commander sure didn't know what to do. The right thing would have been to form the pig's head, and if you get surrounded to do what Caesar did at Ruspina. Just because Caesar hadn't been born yet doesn't stop the guys from making the correct move. I'd also like to point out that the Romans were right near a river they didn't make use of (to prevent being flanked), and they usually didn't stack their ranks that thick. Now we know why. |
![]() |
|
| Person from Anticlere | Aug 9 2009, 07:16 PM Post #4 |
|
@Darkom: Yes, but that's more of because a) the AI is compeltely incompetent, even on VH when it gets lotsa bonuses to troop morale and all that, b) because the combat there is very fast paced, and don't get me started on jedi generals... For a more serious depiction of warfare I'd recommend Europa Barbarorum. It's not to everyone's liking, but personally I hold it to be the best mod for RTW ever. Battles are slower and thus involve more tactics, particularly using Alex.exe, or so I've heard at least. Personally I had lots of fun with BI.exe, one of my best battles ever was using it and playing as Hayasdan against the Grey Death/Arche Seleukeia. Desperation seems to be an excellent stimulus for battles. As for real battles, although I'm not much of a military history lover I believe battles are decided by dozens of contributing factors, though tactics are without doubt important. When you take them on their own tactics are important, but for example Hannibal wouldn't have won Cannae had he not A) put himself in an advantageous position (IIRC dust was blowing into the Romans' faces so they couldn't see much) B) his enemy was smarter. The Romans just charged into his Iberian and Celtic troops (IIRC they were standing at the centre, right?), but although brilliant, the manoeuvre could've failed if the Romans didn't press on to put themselves in between the Lybians or if they aided their cavalry against Hannibal's superior horse. Actually thinking about it, if we consider Cannae was decided by these contributing factors I spoke of earlier, then all three of Hannibal's major victories did. On a paper scheme Trebia doesn't look very impressive, but the fact the Romans were recently awoken, that they were hungry and that they were forced to cross the freezing water of Trebia before battle was as big a factor as the rear attack of Carthaginian cavalry. Edited by Person from Anticlere, Aug 9 2009, 07:17 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Atmoran | Aug 9 2009, 07:40 PM Post #5 |
|
Concerning Total War, download Real Combat (among other things, take a look at the Stainless Steel mod and sub-mods). Do keep in mind this is for MTWII. But I agree it's still a bit too easy. When it comes down to it it's nearly impossible to make a battlefield AI that's as good as a practiced human. Concerning your take on Cannae, I agree, though I put more weight on Hannibal seeing what would work in that situation and applying it decisively. A simple tactic applied well and in the correct situation. I think that's a major factor in the success of any general. Edited by Atmoran, Aug 9 2009, 07:44 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Person from Anticlere | Aug 9 2009, 07:54 PM Post #6 |
|
Gods forbid I'd try to take credit from Hannibal - he was an excellent general who knew how to use the situation and his troops well. What I tried to say was that the tactic could've well not worked had it not been for certain conditions, but it is possible that if not for those conditions, Hannibal would've used a different tactic. Concerning M2, I stick to Broken Crescent. Although the cavalry is still a murder, at least I don't feel I'll win merely by applying the much dreaded by the AI and nerf-needing cavalry charge. I've got nothing against sweeping asides peasants, but by all that's holy, at least don't let them sweep away mercenary spearmen too... |
![]() |
|
| Atmoran | Aug 9 2009, 08:06 PM Post #7 |
|
With Real Recruitment on Stainless Steel the very high cost of cavalry combined with the stress you'll have on your economy will make it impractical to field a large amount of cavalry. Also, I've noted in Real Combat that archers can destroy cavalry if they get bogged down fighting infantry, and horse archers make mounds out of dead heavy cavalry. It's just the mod compilation I prefer, I guess. |
![]() |
|
| Darkom | Aug 9 2009, 11:03 PM Post #8 |
![]()
|
Woah now, you guys are dropping mods on me when I just got this game half a week ago (I've already logged a good 14 hours of campaign time though ) Which mod is the best for realistic battles for Rome by itself (I haven't played the expansions yet, but I still have them)? Edited by Darkom, Aug 9 2009, 11:03 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Person from Anticlere | Aug 9 2009, 11:13 PM Post #9 |
|
If you have Alexander, then there are unofficial mods for the larger overhauls that seem to boast rather competent battle AI. Depending on what you want, I can recommend two overhauls set in the same period as RTW, that being Roma Surrectum and Europa Barbarorum. Roma Surrectum is more Roman-focused (although all the factions are good fun, I personally enjoy playing the various Greek city-states very much) and generally 'lighter' than EB as you won't be assailed by sweet, sweet historical info at every turn. If you're looking for that, though, EB's my number one mod ever in TW. It's like some awesome interactive encyclopedia, with descriptions of yearly events (up to some date that I don't recall) and generally tons of info. RS is easier and less complicated than EB IMO but still good fun. Battle-wise, I always liked EB more than RS. RS battles are faster than EB's and remind you of vanilla now and then, while EB looks and plays like another game on the same engine. Edited by Person from Anticlere, Aug 9 2009, 11:15 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Darkom | Aug 10 2009, 12:33 AM Post #10 |
![]()
|
Hmm... I'll take a look at those, thanks
|
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Community Discussion · Next Topic » |








)

2:54 PM Jul 11