Combined Arms

[dssltg]

Last night I decided to build one military unit of each type I had available, such as one Immortal, one Elephant, one axeman, one swordsman, one spearman, one catapult and one archer in each city before going to war.
I did this approx. and then charged the Romans.
I also decided to spread everyone out, protecting the catapults of course. In fact I formed a line (gasp!) of units protecting my borders to the south and slowly advanced on the Romans.
This line prevented the Romans from attacking by land from the south without my knowledge.
Was very fun. Reminded me of my wargaming days of lines and double lines of units advancing to the enemy.
The different units were surprising effective against the counter attacks as I was able to use different strengths of the various units their maximum effect.
Also nice to have some weaker units to use in mop up role. Spreading out also protected my units from collateral damage from catapults.
David

 

[SygmaZero]

It's definitely the way the game needs to be played and I think it's a big source of frustration with people who don't like the game simply because they can't use their old tactics of building one superior unit en masse (save Praetorians maybe as the case may be). I also think it's important to mention Promotions too... keep these varied to further diversify and adapt your already combined arms. There's been a couple posts about "how hard it is" to capture cities. I found it rather easy with a couple artillery units and the right melee units with corresponding promotions.

 

[Goodenuf]

Totally agree... in CivIV you actually have to plan your attack... what a concept! Makes for a much better game. The guys too lazy to plan simply won't succeed except on the easy levels. Kind of mirrors life a bit, doesn't it

 

[TLHeart]

No more building a stack of doom, and rushing through your oppenent territory razing cities. I like it this way very much.

War takes forethought now, planning, espinoge, and the ability to change tactics once the enemy is met head on.

And don't neglect the defence of the home country, or someone else will remind you that you are under defended, and take some of your cities.

I play at Noble

 

[Roxinante]

Its pretty hard to capture cities at earlier tech periods, but modern warfare seems easier than it was in III. Tanks, in particular, are marvelous with the right promotions - I've found starting them with Flanking I, then Bombardment makes for an evil combination. It solves the problem of the Kamikazi artillery problem - your tanks do colateral damage, and have a good chance of pulling out of the fight if they're getting badly damaged. The last game I won I used a combination of stealth bombers, artillery, modern armor, and gunships to slowly grind down my opposition - with what I call a carrier battle group off shore to provide air defence and to reduce coastal cities defence rating. One carrier with a full fighter compliment, one battleship, one destroyer.

Its just the hack and slash period that I havent yet mastered.

 

[dssltg]

The point about using appropriate promotions is right on, especially in the ancient times.

The use of a carrier group is also exciting. I have not been involved in a modern war yet but will certainly give that a try.

David