Slitherine

I'm having a real difficult time winning this battle. I'm successful in reaching kills, but I am unable to take out the leader before I hit the limit for losses.

I'm using my militia in the rocky area, supported by skirmishers. This works well. I'm able to rout the fanatics w/ a militia & skirmisher division. While this battle rages, my cavalry (2 scouts, 2 nobles, & 1 auxiliary) take to the open ground on the right hand side of the field to confront the enemy's infantry. This method really drops their numbers. I then bring up the remainder of my forces (2 hastati, 1 spearman, 1 legion, 1 triari, & 2 archers) to try and finish the job. But, I'm just losing too many men.

My next approch is to use the rocky terrain as a barrier by stationing my militia & skirmishers as I have been doing, but placing the remainder of my forces on the lefthand side of the field (open terrain). This will force the enemy to cross the rocky terrain, where my militia & skirmishers have the advantage.

???

triari wrote: My next approch is to use the rocky terrain as a barrier by stationing my militia & skirmishers as I have been doing, but placing the remainder of my forces on the lefthand side of the field (open terrain). This will force the enemy to cross the rocky terrain, where my militia & skirmishers have the advantage.

This approach worked perfectly.

My approach is closer to your second strategy. I divide my army into 4 columns. 3 aux charge down the ridge line in a single column, take out the berserkers, and then occupy the highlands.

My 3 legions march in a column to the left of the aux and in the open ground. They end up behind the aux as the second line (and all of these boys have two pilums (pila) by now so they act as a short-lived but damaging missile support force as well).

My 2 archers march in a column further to the west, again as missile support.

Finally my 2 cav charge to the north edge of the screen on the left of the ridge line, and positioned behind the enemy lines once their front line starts moving.

This maneuver forces the enemy to turn its battle line 90 degrees from a wide front to a narrow front (reducing their numerical advantage) to face us on the ridgeline. It also brings their heavy troops into the rough where my aux outclass them and my legions are at least as good. My cav can get behind them and attack their skirmishers, quickly reducing their missile support to zero while my archers unleash on their best units.

My boys made pretty short work of them in this way, taking very few casualties.

This is what worked out for me

Army:
1xLegate
3xLegionnary
4xAuxArchers
3xSkirms/Velites
3xAuxiliae
1xAuxCav
1xScout

Put up a battle line either on the left flank or the right flank, but not on the ridge.
Form a battle line where your Legion/Line Infantry is screening your missile troops.
Weaker units like Scouts, and even Auxiliae, can be put behind the lines, or not put in the battle at all!
Put everyone on a Long Hold.
Let the enemy charge your line & watch them feebly die from your rain of missiles…! Muahahahah!