[RTW] Tips for Online Battles

[CivRulesAll]

I recently got this game, about two days ago. I've tried my hand at online battles. I even nearly won once. But most of the time I got my @$$ handed to me. So I was wondering... what are some good tips that I can apply to my strategy?

 

[Dachs]

Pay attention to guard mode.

 

[Murky]

I've tried it but people often concede the game to me after only a few minutes of battle.

 

[eduhum]

I have never understanded the skirmish and the guard mode
Yeah, stupid.
But, which is the use of them?

 

[BurnEmDown]

Skirmish if I'm not mistaken means that the unit will run away when enemy units get close, this is useful for archers and skirmishers (duh), since they're the most vulnerable units for melee fighting and act much better in range.
guard mode means that the unit will stay in its position even if an enemy is attacking it and retreats or moves away, this is useful if you want your units to maintain their position and not run after fleeing enemies, more than once guard mode would have won me the battle, but I was reluctant (is that the correct word?) to use it.

 

[Murky]

I have never understanded the skirmish and the guard mode
Yeah, stupid.
But, which is the use of them?

Skirmish mode means that your skirmishers run way from melee fights so they can throw javelins or fire arrows. Most skirmishers are poor in melee so often its better that they run away. If you turn this off so they stand and fight. One good use for turning it off is against light cavalry. You can't get away from them because they would just chase your guys down so its better to stand and fight.

Guard mode keeps your troops from chasing fleeing troops. One strategy for weakening an infantry line is to send in some missile-cavalry to draw some away from the main fight. With guard mode on they don't give chase and will hold their position.

 

[CivFanaticMan]

I dont have the game but im getting it soon. Best strategy would be to weaken the flanks and surround your enemy. Or blow a hole in the center of their lines.

 

[Ddude97]

Much harder said than done because the amount of cavalry everybody uses, although that is the way for a good victory. Blowing a hole in the center done right would be ok, but its hard to do and usually gets you flanked horribly. I'm saying this with minimal experience of course, I don't hang around in the lobby and most times when I get on few people are playing.

 

[Murky]

Rome:TW Online used to be more active. Now, a lot of TW players are playing Napoleon:TW instead. If there is a Rome:TW II that's any good people will start playing the ancient battles again.

 

[W|M]

If the enemy have a lot of cavalry, then counter that. Get good hoplite units (Not the crappy militia hoplites, which are the Greek equivalent of a Roman Town Guard). Use them in a way so they can't be flanked (i.e. Putting them in an outward facing rectangle or circle), although in single player, the AI is too dumb to flank hoplites and I end up winning all defensive battles as Greece with only a straight line of them . Missile units can go behind (but use ones that can fire above other peoples heads like Cretian Archers). Cavalry is good on the flanks, to flank the enemy yourself once the hoplites are engaged and to chase down enemy cavalry and light infantry.

 

[Ddude97]

If the enemy have a lot of cavalry, then counter that. Get good hoplite units (Not the crappy militia hoplites, which are the Greek equivalent of a Roman Town Guard). Use them in a way so they can't be flanked (i.e. Putting them in an outward facing rectangle or circle)

Problem with hoplites is archers.
Yes I'm familiar with the tactic of outward facing polygon, I came up with it before I went online to battle in sinlge player.

"Rome:TW Online used to be more active. Now, a lot of TW players are playing Napoleon:TW instead. If there is a Rome:TW II that's any good people will start playing the ancient battles again. "
Probably not anytime soon, but would be nice.