Any tips for Multiple Battlefronts??

[Panzerking]

Any tips for fighting multiple battlefronts?? I am currently the Vikings and am at war with the Japanese, Russians, Mongols and Carthagians and am researching Mobile Warfare in order to smite my enemies. However at the moment I am building a large invasion force to attack the Carthagian Empire which is the most powerful (I am 2nd) but they are slightly behind me in tech level.
So far all is going OK, the Russians are all but destroyed as they are way behind tech-wise and I have been steadily conquering their lands -the Mongols (their allies) are too far away to cause many problems. The Carthagians are most definitely the biggest threat but at the moment I am sustaining quite heavy casualties on my border with the Japanese. The land itself has a single railway and is surrounded by hills and mountains and seems to be constantly filled with 10 or 12 Veteran Japanese units. All my cities in the vicinity have city walls and 3 defenders but my offensives in this area have been put down and my resources are stretched until I can smash the Carthagians!! Any tips??

 

[la fayette]

There is a great difference between attacking and defending against the AI.
1) Defending:
Usually very easy with a mix of walled cities and fortresses (even when they own Espionage, the AI civs never destroy walls).
2) Attacking:
The key to success is concentrating an overwhelming task force where you need it.

Therefore, my recipe for fighting on multiple fronts would be to defend on all fronts but one, and to attack with full strength on one front, no more.

 

[Comrade Trapp]

There is a great difference between attacking and defending against the AI.
1) Defending:
Usually very easy with a mix of walled cities and fortresses (even when they own Espionage, the AI civs never destroy walls).
2) Attacking:
The key to success is concentrating an overwhelming task force where you need it.

Therefore, my recipe for fighting on multiple fronts would be to defend on all fronts but one, and to attack with full strength on one front, no more.

I second that.

Although I usually keep a few offensive units nearby when defending, so you can get a few hits in on their attacking forces should the opportunity present itself.

Just don’t get overconfident and end up launching a full scale offensive with those units, that will only lead to disaster.

 

[TimTheEnchanter]

There is a great difference between attacking and defending against the AI.
1) Defending:
Usually very easy with a mix of walled cities and fortresses (even when they own Espionage, the AI civs never destroy walls).
2) Attacking:
The key to success is concentrating an overwhelming task force where you need it.

Therefore, my recipe for fighting on multiple fronts would be to defend on all fronts but one, and to attack with full strength on one front, no more.

In general I concur, although if you have a sufficient force for one front, and have the production/economic capacity to create another overwhelming task force for a second front, go ahead and do it. The key is not to go on the offensive without knowing you will achieve your objectives in that theatre.

 

[Panzerking]

Great tips guys, thanks very much. I will let you know how I get on!!

 

[Old n Slow]

Depending upon the stage of the game (and the layout) there might be other thoughts: 1) ocean & invasions -- I have yet to see any ai invasion of more than one boat at a time, so offshore enemies can usually be deferred until later. 2) sometimes, late in the game a feint may be interesting -- sending a spy, partisan, armor crew behind enemy lines, moving along the ai rails can net gains -- in fact, traveling through one ai to attack another one can be a lot of fun -- haven't done that for a loooooong time.

 

[Terrapin]

The only thing I would add to la Fayette's advice is that it is easier to attack the weakest enemies first. By conquoring them, you add to your territory and economic base, enhancing your ability to crush a stronger foe.

 

[Ace]

I prefer to tackle the strongest AI civ first, if possible. By taking out the strongest one first, you don't have to worry about your "back". The smaller AI civs will attack you, but they cannot do the damage the bigger one could.

 

[rrhal]

Send a spy to incite a revolt in a Japaneese city. They will sue for peace - which will last for several turns - then buy another city.

 

[Prof. Garfield]

The only thing I would add to la Fayette's advice is that it is easier to attack the weakest enemies first. By conquoring them, you add to your territory and economic base, enhancing your ability to crush a stronger foe.

One other problem by attacking a weak country: you have to modernize it in order for it to be effective. At the very least, you must preserve order in the concored territory. If you do not have a strong economy, this could be a drain. By attacking the stronger civ, you will get some improvements in the aquired cities in addition to eliminating the greater threat.

 

[Tank_Guy#3]

Have one front entirely for defense and attack for the other. Try to wipe out the weaker enemy quickly then you can focus on the other enemy.

 

[Terrapin]

I am not sure that I agree that "you have to modernize [acquired cities] for them to be effective." Sometimes, just having cities in a particlular place is useful and even a woefully inadequate city can be the source of rush-built troops. Moreover, my experience with conquored AI cities is that they rarely have the right improvements built, even if the AI civ had the appropriate techs.

I am really sure that, as long as your opponents are AIs, you do not have to worry about "your back." No matter how big an enemy AI civ is, they will still use them same pitiful tactics when they attack. A couple of walled cities near the border or a mountaintop fortress is usually quite sufficient to keep even a huge AI occupied for as long as it takes....