How to handle massive battles?

[MaKaan70]

Multiplayer. 300k vs 300k divided in 40k armies for example. Similar stats. Which is the best way to proceed to the battle? Just throw all men in there or wait for less morale or troops than the enemy to send another army? Take out from the battle armies with 0 morale o let them there in the battle?

 

[Kergan]

Dunno about MPs, but the gist of the protocol should be to feed reinforcements on a per need basis to keep replenishing the front line.

Make sure to fill the back row with canons. Then throw in 40/0/0 stacks so a new one arrives every 6 or 12 days. Else your troops will lose moral while sitting in the reserves. (It's less moral if you've 80% professionalism, but it still matters.)

Oh, and ensure there are two good generals in the melee at all times. Else Murphy's Law will kick in, your only general will die, and you'll end up with no general in the middle of the big battle.

 

[eon47]

I also don't do MP, but building on that, make sure your armies aren't too spread out--that's how even AI enemies pick them off. And if you're dealing with a player rather the AI, keep in mind that you might be able to use the fog of war to your advantage by holding some troops back.

 

[I_am_Nemo]

If you want to see how it's done, I'd suggest watching some of the dev MP streams. You can see both well managed and poorly managed battles, with commentary.

 

[Dominion]

Full CW + a bit to make sure whatever's getting blasted during your first phase (or phases, however fast you are to resupply) will get replaced correctly.
Endless supply chains afterwards to keep morale high.
Never retreat partially. You'll blow up and everyone will laugh. Including me.

Won't even need to be there, I just feel stuff like that.