26-07-2005 03:41									#1
	Tachtical Warfare School Support Apolyton

Let’s get a little practice with the Combat Calculator
for the battles to come by examining a few past encounters.

This one is from the Fall of Rome scenario. The Romans have 4 veteran 4/4 heavy cavalry (5.3.2/2) 2 veteran 4/4 legions (4.4.1) a regular 3/3 garrison (1.2.1) and a worker in Aquincum. Further down the road are 2 4/4 veteran legions and a catapult (0.4.0.1).

The Vandals, in light blue, have 3 veteran 4/4 marauders (4(6).2.1) and 3 veteran 4/4 pillagers (6(9).2.1) just across the river and another pillager in the hills. Both these types of units can inflict collateral damage that may destroy improvements, when they attack.

It is Rome’s turn. How would you defend Aquincum? If you were the Vandals, what might you have done differently?

Attachment: tactical warfare school lesson one.jpg
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	26-07-2005 03:58									#2
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

Here is the save. Aquincum is the eastern tip of Roman territory. Password is 1106

Attachment: 1889_romans_384 ad.sav
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	26-07-2005 18:27									#3
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As Rome, I´d take the two legions down the road and the cat into the city. Depending on scenario rules, the cat might have a turn left, in this case fire upon the stack. Then do an all out attack with all units starting with the horses. Keep one legion fortified as they will act as defenders. Keep the last vandal unit of the stack unharmed, as killing it would cost the unit that executes the task...

If bridges are invented, move the attackers to the other side of the river first before attacking. But I don´t think it will be neccessary given the low defence value of the Vandals.

edit:
As the vandals, I wouldn´t field 6 units versus 9. Also I´d have moved them from the hill to the forest, then 2 across the river onto the wheat. This way I´d be more vulnerable but would more likely succeed against the legionaries. On another note, I´d have waited for the 8 attack unit, mass produced it and then flooded the romans. Allying with the purple guys to the east might have been a good idea, too...

Last edited by Micha on 26-07-2005 at 18:32

	26-07-2005 19:49									#4
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First I run all the attacks through the combat calculator so I can decide what order gives me the best chance of success.

Heavy Cavalry with 4 hp wins 91% and with 3 hp 78%.
Legions with 4 hp win 79% and with 3 hp 63%

The catapult only moves 3 so it can’t be used. The plan then is to attack with 3 Heavy Cavalry first because the Pillagers will probably hit with defensive bombards (73%). The 2 Legions will cross the river to attack, why take a 25% disadvantage. The last Heavy Cavalry will finish off the last Marauder then move back into the city so the Pillager on the hill can’t counter attack.

Attachment: tws 1 aftermath.jpg
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	26-07-2005 19:49									#5
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

Things don’t always go according to plan though. The 3rd Heavy Cavalry inflicts 2 points of damage, but then retreats. So I stick with the plan until all the defensive bombards are used up then use one of the Legions down the road. It has to attack across the river (70%) but still has a good chance of success.

I agree that the Vandals should have moved through the forest and to the wheat. At least if they lived they could attack, but in their present position a 4 hp Pillager has a 32% to win and Marauder only 15% against a fortified Legion in the city. This entire invasion should have been scrubbed after checking the odds on the combat calculator.

	27-07-2005 02:20									#6
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*skrobism sits down and studies quietly.

	27-07-2005 08:38									#7
	Full PM-box? Change here!

The other combat calculator I find useful is Zachriel's. It does a better job of calucalting large battles - the downside being that all units have to be of the same type. But it is still quite usefull.

http://www.zachriel.com/BattleCivulation.asp

	27-07-2005 20:06									#8
	Lesson Two Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

Every battle involves risk so be sure that the potential gain warrents such risk. If you attack out of bordem you needless jeopardize your troops.

Try to kill this Spanish warrior near Utrecht.

Attachment: el terminator.jpg
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	27-07-2005 20:07									#9
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The save.

Attachment: dutch.sav
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	29-07-2005 01:24									#10
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

I don't attack at all. The warrior is not hampering any sort of activity in the area, and isn't doing any valuable espionage for Spain. Only the archer has a better than 50% chance of taking out the warrior, and it really isn't worth it. If Spain decides to move in and take out the road, then I attack as I have both an advantage in strength in numbers, while the warrior would then be posing a threat.

	29-07-2005 01:36									#11
	Get a bigger avatar today!

Your right, but I was bored:

4/4 Archer attacks (70%) but dies, Spanish Warrior 2/5

4/4 Warrior attacks (70%) but dies, Spanish Warrior 2/5

4/4 Warrior attacks (70%) but dies, Spanish Warrior 2/5

4/4 Warrior attacks (70%) but dies, Spanish Warrior 1/5

4/4 Warrior attacks (89%) but dies, Spanish Warrior 1/5

4/4 Spearman attacks (89%) and wins! 3/4

The odds here are about 1/200,000 IIRC

	30-07-2005 02:57									#12
	Got spare money?

The rogue AI warrior from hell...