The Art of the Offensive

[=AA=Aussie]

THE PLANNING PHASE:

1. Keep the goal in mind: Set down what you intend to accomplish in this offensive. If this is the opening stroke of the war, what are you going to war about? Are you trying to obtain more natural resources? Capture certain cities? Or are you in this war for revenge?

2. Once you have the goal in mind, plan accordingly: If you want resources, direct your attacks to resource rich areas. If you want cities, target them.

3. Exhaust all other channels: Don't go to war if you dont need to, and certainly dont go into war if you havent brought aboard other nations that are potential allies.

4. Keep your plan flexible. If you are unable to accomplish one of your objectives for whatever reason, be prepared to make up for it. Contingency plans are your friend

THE EXECUTION:

1. Don't deviate from the plan unless you have to: Stick to what you originally set down. Unless your attack WILL fail unless you diviate from it, make any other opertunist objectives to one side.

2. Keep moving: Don't stop unless you really have to reorganize. Surrrount and bypass any cities or pockets or resistance if you must.

THE WRAPUP:

1. Consoilidate your gains: Your troops should go from offence to defence.

2. Dipolmacy: If you are have accomplshed your objectives, sue for peace.

 

[adamschroeder]

Here is another tip. If you want to go to war build up a massive army and arrange your troops the best you can before you start the conflict. If you are able to blitz in and take several cities on the same turn you can often sue for peace before the AI even has a chance to counter attack.

Try to minimize the amount of time that you will be at war. Long drawn at wars cost you far more resources than quick ones.