Troop placement revisited

[TyranusBonehead]

I know there was a thread on this somewhere, but I can't find it.

The question I have is regarding where you put your troops. Right now I mostly garrison them in their cities, with a couple out exploring. Later in the game, I will start placing troops near resources, colonies, etc. but still mostly keeping them in their cities, at least until I'm ready to launch an attack.

Does this sound like a good practice or not?

Thanks.

 

[IbnSina]

Well, early in the game I do as you do - put troops in the cities as MPs, keeping my citizens from revolting, and dissuading AIs from invading. Thus, larger cities or border towns get more, smaller interior towns may have none. Obviously, when the expansion phase is nearing an end, I start building a lot of offensive troops, which go into a stack near my intended victim.

 

[wilbill]

I always try to keep a mobile "reaction force" of combined arms (attack, defense, bombardment) on hand. I keep it centrally located so I can use it to counterattack if needed or to attack if I want to go on the offensive. Especially after I've finished roading and have 2 movement attackers, this allows me to cut back on the size of city garrisons.

 

[Hirachi Dinavo]

I move my offensive units to a stack near the AI border and fortify in case they declare war. I keep 3 defensive units in border towns, and only 2 in other cities. Artillery is also stacked near the AI border, unguarded, but more than 3 tiles away so it can't be reached in one turn. I don't stack units in cities because if the city flips, I lose my whole army.

 

[TyranusBonehead]

I don't stack units in cities because if the city flips, I lose my whole army.

Wow, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

 

[The Fjonis]

Good troop placement is key for success. Using few units in defense where they're not necessary (core cities etc) allows you to have a larger offensive army (unit support costs). Sometimes I find it's better to have few defensive units in the cities far from the front and have a few offensive units scattered about to crush any invading forces. This, of course, depends on the type of government (unhappiness if the enemy captures cities, military police etc).

 

[sabo]

I usually keep 2 or 3 defenders in my inner cities and 4 or 5 along the borders, I also keep an attacking mobile force (cavalry/armor) near the borders too

 

[bingen]

I usually keep 2 or 3 defenders in my inner cities and 4 or 5 along the borders

IMO, this is 2-3 too many defenders per city. Make more attackers and use them instead.

 

[The Fjonis]

@ bingen - kordan går de?

Agree with bingen - it is always a good idea to have a few offensive units around too to repell any invasion. Having defensive units alone to defend a territory isn't enough. Attack is the best form of defense