Combat and city-taking
can be very painful in civ5 if you don't get things right, but shouldn't be a reason to rage-quit
I'm no genius player but here's some of the 'rules' I always try to follow if I'm at war:
General:
- Terrain is critical in civ5 warfare, use it to your advantage: e.g. Use defensive bonuses wherever possible, use choke-points to bottle-up the enemy, let the AI embark units which are then easier to kill.
- Ideally ranged units should be on hills to maximise the number of target tiles (not an issue when you get to artillery).
- Melee defenders should be in front of ranged, preferably on rough terrain for defensive bonuses.
- Farm barbs in order to get key promotions on early units.
- Protect elite units, don't be afraid to lose weaker ones, it happens.
- Try to ensure every defender/attacker has a flanking bonus where possible.
If I'm going on the offensive:
- Try to have as many siege units as can fit around the target city (behind melee). If your money is tight make short term deals to buy more, you'll be getting some gold soon hopefully.
- Don't just charge in straight to the target city: try to draw out the enemy / let them come to you, and keep killing until they start thinning out, then move in.
- Use fast mobile (horse) units behind the lines to finish off damaged enemies.
- When you do decide to move in try and do it in one movement, i.e. position all units in the minimum number of turns (ideally one!) to reduce the the number of shots from the city and defenders.
- Attempt to have every attacker covered by a medic (if you have some) and great general(s).
- Don't pillage straight away, save it for healing damaged units.
- Have contingency plans to prevent your empire getting unhappy, even if this means tanking your economy for a bit. i.e. buying happiness buildings, having to make crap deals for luxuries, etc.
If I'm on the defensive:
- Organise units 'behind' cities to give your ranged defenders plenty of time to take down invaders as they slowly wade through your territory.
- Don't be too concerned about tiles being pillaged (unless it's a critical strategic resource!), they are quick to repair.
- Horse units are great for mopping up injured units.
- Bring in reinforcements from the rest of your empire, or at least 'shuttle' a few defenders closer to the action in case things go pear-shaped.
Just a few thoughts and largely aimed at early- to mid-game warfare. Hope this might help a bit.
EDIT:
This is a good guide btw, might be worth searching for others.
- stride