New player impressions and the obligatory new guy questions

SilliusSodus · Post by **SilliusSodus** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:07 pm

Hi

I recently purchaced FOG with the RoR and SoA expansions. I will admit I'm not an expert on ancient or medieval history although I have an intrest in both periods. So far I am enjoying single player, I've only really played the scenerios but I am about to move on to playing around with the DAG. I have found if I stick to basic tactical principles that I can routinely beat the AI (although not always). It can seem a little strange when my center collapses but my flanking units cause enough damage to win the day (this happens mostly against the Romans) but I understand what it is modeling. So far I'm happy with the game. I know there are a few oddites but the fact that using realistic tactics tends to work is a plus point.

Just a few questions, honest

Sometimes the AI units get 'charging' appear above them is that because they have anarchy? Thats the only time that I see it on my units.

The rest are about multiplayer which I will try soon

Is there anything that is universally frowned on as cheese, that I should avoid? (Army selection, game exploits that sort of thing)

In open challenges should I select an historical enemy or is any army from the same time frame ok? (I do prefer more historical match ups but what ifs can be fun)

Whats a good SoA army to start with? (in any ancients game its always the Romans)

I will buy some more army packs at some point once I get some multiplayer under my belt

Thanks

Old_Warrior · Post by **Old_Warrior** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:44 pm

English Army - Continental is good. Very basic - dismounted knights, longbowman and a few auxiliary types.

The game allows other armies to chosen from other books based either on whether they are historical advesaries or from a totally different period of time.

When you go to do a Multiplayer -> Issue Challenge you can specify that the army can come from any of the books if you like. Thus Romans can fight Ottoman Empire forces.

And also: there are armies from one book that were historical advesaries of armies in other books and the system recognizes that. Thus an army from the East from the same period as an army from the West (but from different modules/books) are noted with an asterisk in the list. This means that they are not in that module but are ok to choose as they were historically opponents of the armies in the module you are choosing.

Pretty nice to be able to do that ...

SilliusSodus · Post by **SilliusSodus** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:32 pm

Thanks for the advise, last night I put together a 500pt English Army - Continental (late). Lots of Longbow men (14), I put max into unmounted knights (10), LF (3), LH (3), inspired C&C and 2 sub comanders (all men at arms)

Thats from memory I will play around with this army a bit although I think getting used to a heavy bow army will take some getting used to. But I'm game.

I will probably start multiplayer with late Republic Rome against ancient armys just to start with, while getting to grips with medieval armies solo.

I'll start with posting challanges and see how that goes once I'm a bit more confident I'll join a tournment as well

Old_Warrior · Post by **Old_Warrior** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 3:57 pm

The Roman army is your basic army and good to start with. I use a checkerboard type of deployment for most of my armies but this one needs it. Then you can condense the frontage as needed. Allows gaps for the Auxiliaries - I use them (Med Inf) to go out and hit the Lt Inf that comes to close. The Velites also make good melee units against the Lts.

The Roman cavalry is not as good as your opponents and for that reason I tend to add some infantry to the flanks as well.

petergarnett · Post by **petergarnett** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:08 pm

If you fancy a training game let me know & we can play the starter battle rome v carthage.

SilliusSodus · Post by **SilliusSodus** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:17 pm

Old_Warrior wrote:The Roman army is your basic army and good to start with. I use a checkerboard type of deployment for most of my armies but this one needs it. Then you can condense the frontage as needed. Allows gaps for the Auxiliaries - I use them (Med Inf) to go out and hit the Lt Inf that comes to close. The Velites also make good melee units against the Lts.

The Roman cavalry is not as good as your opponents and for that reason I tend to add some infantry to the flanks as well.

I agree I think their best to start with overall, but I will still have a go with the English once I'm more familiar with the game

petergarnett wrote:If you fancy a training game let me know & we can play the starter battle rome v carthage.

I would really appreciate that, I've beaten the AI in that one as Carthage, but I think for multiplayer being Rome would be better at first. Thank you

petergarnett · Post by **petergarnett** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:53 pm

OK if you goto Multiplayer then the Accept Challenge tab you should see one posted by me.

Password is peter.

I assumed you wanted the vile romans rather than the noble carthaginians!

Cheers

SilliusSodus · Post by **SilliusSodus** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:03 pm

I'd just like to say thank you to petergarnett for providing an informative and good start to multplayer, Siltherine need to pay you a commission as next payday I'm getting the next two expantions (IF and SaS I believe)