A beginners question

[alphington]

I have played the tutorials a few times each and now I'm able to win them consistently. Next I tried some quick battles but I have what is undoubtedly a newcomer's question: I would find it much easier to deploy my force and form a plan if I could see where the enemy forces are. As it is we must deploy and only then see the enemy. No doubt this is realistic but then how does one go about deploying and planning before seeing the enemy positions? If the units were more maneuverable I could quickly try to redeploy if necessary but this is not usually feasible. Or is this in fact what experienced players do? Apologies as I'm sure this question is somewhere at a level well below 'FOG2 101'. Thanks for any assistance.

[SnuggleBunnies]

You can't see where the enemy is, but you do know what their army list is, and you can see the terrain. This is likely to determine some aspects of their deployment - for example, their cavalry is unlikely to be deployed with a large patch of rough ground to their front! If you are feeling unsure about where the enemy will be, and are afraid of being locked in contact before you are in position, you can deploy further back - this will give you more time to shift to one side or the other. Of course, this is only a good option if doing so doesn't give up critical terrain. The AI will always deploy in a more or less conventional manner, straight line across the center of their deployment zone. Against players, things can get more complex. If you want to see/hear the thoughts of an experienced player interacting with the dilemmas of deployment, see below for a couple of sample force comp and deployment videos. In these I take three potluck matchups and discuss possibilities from both sides.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hga-j1L ... uggleBunny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kb7tb3 ... uggleBunny

FWIW, I always wanted an option for the player to not even see the battlefield during the force comp phase. This would certainly be more realistic, but is only available in some mods.

[alphington]

Many thanks for answering. This helps me a lot especially the videos. I need to think more about how the enemy is likely to line up as you describe. After playing the tutorials I had moved to quick rather than custom battles where I could not see the enemy list and so had no idea what I could be facing. Taking your lead I'll use custom battles now and try to become familiar with different lists as I face them. The parts of the videos where you talked about alternative deployments were very helpful. Thanks again.

[SalabhBhamri]

Don't worry, your question is perfectly valid! The "fog of war" in Field of Glory 2 (FoG2) can be tricky for new players. While it's a realistic feature, planning without seeing the enemy can be daunting. Here are some tips:

Embrace the unknown:

Think in terms of possibilities. Where might the enemy attack based on their faction, terrain, and historical tactics? Deploy defensively, covering key areas and anticipating their moves.
Utilize scouting units: Light cavalry or skirmishers can reveal enemy positions early, allowing you to adjust your deployment.
Be flexible: Unlike "perfect information" games, FoG2 rewards adaptability. Don't be afraid to redeploy units based on what you discover, even if it means sacrificing some efficiency.
Learn from experienced players:

Watch replays or streams of high-level FoG2 matches. Observe how they deploy and adapt based on the revealed enemy positions.
Join the FoG2 community forums or Discord. Ask questions, discuss strategies, and learn from the experience of others.
Practice makes perfect:

Keep playing quick battles and campaign missions. You'll gradually develop your intuition for anticipating enemy moves and adapting your tactics on the fly.
Experiment with different factions and strategies. Each faction has unique strengths and weaknesses, requiring different deployment and planning approaches.
Remember, mastering the "fog of war" is a key aspect of FoG2's strategic depth. Don't get discouraged, keep practicing, and you'll soon be deploying like a seasoned commander!

[alphington]

Don't worry, your question is perfectly valid! The "fog of war" in Field of Glory 2 (FoG2) can be tricky for new players. While it's a realistic feature, planning without seeing the enemy can be daunting. Here are some tips:

Embrace the unknown:

Think in terms of possibilities. Where might the enemy attack based on their faction, terrain, and historical tactics? Deploy defensively, covering key areas and anticipating their moves.
Utilize scouting units: Light cavalry or skirmishers can reveal enemy positions early, allowing you to adjust your deployment.
Be flexible: Unlike "perfect information" games, FoG2 rewards adaptability. Don't be afraid to redeploy units based on what you discover, even if it means sacrificing some efficiency.
Learn from experienced players:

Watch replays or streams of high-level FoG2 matches. Observe how they deploy and adapt based on the revealed enemy positions.
Join the FoG2 community forums or Discord. Ask questions, discuss strategies, and learn from the experience of others.
Practice makes perfect:

Keep playing quick battles and campaign missions. You'll gradually develop your intuition for anticipating enemy moves and adapting your tactics on the fly.
Experiment with different factions and strategies. Each faction has unique strengths and weaknesses, requiring different deployment and planning approaches.
Remember, mastering the "fog of war" is a key aspect of FoG2's strategic depth. Don't get discouraged, keep practicing, and you'll soon be deploying like a seasoned commander!

Thanks for the good tips!