How to counter War elephants in early game

[PJOHEARNE]

I have been playing CIV 4 for a few months and have recently moved to NOBLE. Lately I have been getting killed by War elephants in the early game. Am i missing a counter here i usually try to get to pikeman ASAP but usually I am too late or I lose to much research ground. I usually play the chinese and aim for a Later Conquest using advanced troops. Is it me or is the War Elephant way overpowered? Any advice appreciated I am still new to Noble and trying to adopt to the new level.

Pat

 

[fmlizard]

Spearmen just absolutely owned my herd of war elephants (I had 7 ivory resources but no copper or iron) in a recent game. Build spearmen.

 

[bancki]

I second that, use spearman

 

[Zombie69]

War elephants are no match for spearmen, and these come so early that some civs even start the game with the appropriate technology.

 

[Danghis Khan]

Spearmen, spearmen and a few more spearmen.

Since spearmen get a 100% bonus vs mounted units the base odds are 8 vs. 8; add any bonuses from promotions and you can really tip the odds in your favour. Since mounted units don't get defensive bonuses, you can pick and choose the terrain to attack or defend.

If you're really worried, promote a spearman to Combat 2 and on his next promotion give him Formation (25% vs mounted).

Don't forget to keep axemen around to protect the spearmen from infantry.

It's also much harder for the enemy to use War Elephants if they don't have any, so find the sources of Ivory and pillage them and the roads nearby (doesn't always work because of trade or the Ivory is too far, but can help).

 

[Shadzy19]

War elephants with shock promotion still do really good vs spearman though , but indeed they are your best bet.
The real problem that is very hard to counter imo are stacks with war elephants and crossbows in it.

 

[Zombie69]

I don't think it's all that hard. On defense, just use spearmen and archers. On attack, just be glad that they have war elephants, which are weaker to defend cities than longbows/crossbows would be, even without using spearmen.

 

[rewster1]

And if you don't have copper or iron... you could always counter with elephants of your own.

 

[fmlizard]

War elephants are mostly good for wiping out an opponent's Axemen and Crossbowmen as they are not a melee unit and have considerably more strength.

 

[AngryPants]

Spearmen, spearmen, and more spearmen.

 

[Viper Daimao]

I dont know if this has been said before, but I'd try spearmen.

 

[Theodorick]

I heard a rumor that spearman will work. It wouldn't hurt to try.

 

[Dueck]

Spearmen

Fake edit: Oh wait, I think someone beat me to it.

 

[Archbob]

Yeah, spearmen generally kill any early mounted unit. Got for combat II and then formation.

 

[johnny_rico]

I'm going to go against the grain of other recommendations and advise that spearmen work best against War Elephants in the early game.

If that isn't working try using the world editor to introduce the world to ICBM's in the tenth century.

 

[Sahkuhnder]

I didn't read the whole thread but I'd try spearmen.

 

[DangerousMonkey]

War Elephants are a major powerhouse, especialy if you can get them early. Spearmen can defend against War Elephants at about even odds, but the problem is that Spearmen loose hardcore against Axemen. So if you build a stack of War Elephants and Axemen you'll be very difficult to attack economicly. This gives you the opportunity to do a lot of pillaging.

The best way to deal with War Elephants is to get some yourself, or pillage you opponent's Ivory before he realizes how much he need it.

 

[Fanaza]

I heard spearman work.

 

[AmnesiaA]

hmm good question... spearman? maybe?

 

[robinm]

Spearmen are good.

Phalanx is better, especially if you put it up on a hill