Torhunt
Legionary
posted 27 September 2011 10:55 EDT (US)
Hi, im looking for some help use the germans in miltiplayer, the games i play with friends are usually 10-30k denarii, no upgrades, no siege weapons, no elephants, limited use of chariots and only 4 of any type of unit (and normally only a single line of troops, sometimes fully armies).
My issue is, that when i play any RTS im heavily defensive, forming what i call a fortress wall, with either archers on the inside or peltasts. My main armies are either romans, or a greek faction (normally seleucids), so im used to either turtling up, or advancing slowly using a cavalry charge to preceed my assault. (i dont normally use alot of cavalry).
The issue ive had is that when faced with a 1v1v1 free for all match, i cant seem to get anywhere unless i go with a fanboy style semi circle and archers (which works normally, but has failed). I want to mix it up alittle, and as i cant seem to use barbarians well in general, i wanted to start with germans. Can anyone help me please?
(my main enemies are either a well built pontus enemy and a GCS's enemy, or barbarians and eastern enemies when fighting my friends).
XGrimorgX
Legionary
posted 29 September 2011 16:31
EDT (US)
1 / 5
Being more effective with a faction means you have to know the strengths and weaknesses of the faction you play yourself and of your opponent.
Playing some singleplayer with a certain faction helps your knowledge or the individual units. (I've tried some factions myself for that purpose)
Some overall things when playing as the Germans is to remember most units lack good armour, which makes you vulnerable vs. archers. If possible try to deploy (and fight) in the woods. A lot of german units have wood bonus and missile units inflict a lot less casualties on your units when hiding between trees (I hate fighting in woods btw for lack of vision, so you might get an advantage from that too after some practice). Even when you have missile superiority hiding some units strategically can help a lot. Luring a unit or 2 who already fought a bit to a patch of trees and surprising them with a unit of fresh berserkers might rout them in seconds.
Berserkers are good, but they are weak vs readied phalanxes, heavy archer fire and horse archers. I generally don't take more than 2 (out of 20) when I'm against phalanx factions. Any other unit will take some beating, including elites like urban cohorts, armoured elephants and cataphracts.
Gothic cav is the best barbarian cav and they can match most faction's heavy cav. Every army should have some of these.
The infantry has 3 essential units imo.
The spear warband is the backbone of the army used to pin units you will then flank with any of your other units.
Night raiders will kill any lighter armoured unit, they are swift and instill fear.
Chosen axes are the real killers when against heavy armour.
A single unit of screeching women might be a good idea if you want to fill a cheap slot. Even the slightest morale penalty can tilt the scales in your favour.
The ratio night raiders/chosen axes should be based on what you expect. I'd get a lot of chosen axes against roman infantry for instance and some more night raiders against other barbarians.
Hopefully this will help you a bit to improve your game. If you want some more feedback on army composition you should give a little more detailed information about the exact money level. opponents factions and map you play.
Liam_the_Spartan
Banned
posted 30 September 2011 11:27
EDT (US)
2 / 5
The main thing to take into account when playing as Germans is the morale game. Your men are scary, and with some units to keep morale up. Your main aim is to scare your way to victory, then chase down the survivors.
richardson30
Legionary
posted 12 October 2011 13:57
EDT (US)
4 / 5
id have to reinforce what the other guys have said. germania's main weapon is intimidation. there are only a few units in the game that will not run from berserkers. only a very few. but good luck, i have to say germania is my fav faction to use.