Love the game, probably the best paradox game yet. However, I do feel the tactical options with the battles could be improved. I would like a pre-battle screen where I could arrange the basic disposition of my army. I want to put cavalry on the flanks and heavy infantry in the center. Also I want to decide how many men are in each flank. How about the ability to set postures? For example, against a superior melee opponent I choose to use 'Fabian tactics' and try to avoid closing to melee by staying in skirmish mode as long as possible. The moors used this tactic very effectively against the heavilly armoured crusader knights in the holy land; in fact they wouldn't close for combat until the crusaders were completely exhausted. My success would depend on leader ability and compostion of the troops in my army. Alternatively I could choose to 'close with enemy asap' and push for melee quickly. Talented commanders should also be able to make more use of terrain, especially in defence. There also need to be options for encirclement (Cannae style), ambushes, outflanking an enemy etc.. Perhaps research could develop certain tactical approaches.
I am trying to avoid a situation like the one that happened to me in a recent game: my martial score 27 military genius general put my light cavalry in the center against the enemy heavy infantry. Needless to say they were massacred while my heavy infantry watched from the wings???!!! Another suggestion is to add another line/ rank in the army line up. That way the archers can go forward into the front rank during skirmish mode while they retire behind the heavy infantry during close combat. You should also be able to define a reserve that can be held back to throw in if things are desperate or to cover a retreat if things go badly. This whole area just needs more thought and attention to detail/ realism. I don't think anyone wants to see Total War style battles.. that would take too long to play a game. Just give us more control over how to fight our battles. Thanks!
I am trying to avoid a situation like the one that happened to me in a recent game: my martial score 27 military genius general put my light cavalry in the center against the enemy heavy infantry. Needless to say they were massacred while my heavy infantry watched from the wings???!!! Another suggestion is to add another line/ rank in the army line up. That way the archers can go forward into the front rank during skirmish mode while they retire behind the heavy infantry during close combat. You should also be able to define a reserve that can be held back to throw in if things are desperate or to cover a retreat if things go badly. This whole area just needs more thought and attention to detail/ realism. I don't think anyone wants to see Total War style battles.. that would take too long to play a game. Just give us more control over how to fight our battles. Thanks!
More cultural variability would indeed be nice and yet I can also see the danger of balancing issues. I know I have been particularly happy though when building caballero buildings in Spain and then seeing my levies come out with the light cavalry sprite due to the sheer number of enhanced attack jinetes. I haven't played enough outside of Spain yet to know what other such culture buildings are available, my girlfriend and I are doing an MP Ireland game and I've noticed there doesn't seem to be any such thing.
