Incoming: Battering Ram (rate my formation)

[Ice_Prison]

http://img500.imageshack.us/img500/9566/batteringram2ju.jpg


I've been playing with this form using the default units with moderate success. I call it a Battering Ram because it sort of looks like one and the strategy behind it is to crush the defensive walls of a turtle.

Early game I usually lead a Knight rush towards the opponent with Scout and Mages as cover up. But if that fails I reatreat to the safety of the Lightning Ward and a far reaching Enchantress.

I like to think of it as a grey rush and I've found it be quite a fun alternative to the turtle that almost EVERY GREY uses.

Pls make suggestions to how I can make it better, thanks.

[Jeffery]

That many grouped units will get eaten ALIVE by any rusher.

[Ice_Prison]

Usually I try to rush them first before they get to me. Sometimes, it's down to who gets the lucky first move.

Most of the time, I go for their cleric right away and my opponent usually gets so distracted they pull their forces back to defend. Surprisingly, it isn't that hard to kill their cleric using just 1 or 2 knights. My centre knights can reach almost anywhere on the board in 2 turns and I usually attack in a group of 2 knights which seems to make it real tough on my opponent.

Thanks for taking a look.

I know the form probably doesn't look very good. But it works surprisingly well for me and the thing is it's something fun and different from just playing turtles.

[Jeffery]

Well, as long as you keep it against n00bs, you'll do ok.

[Ice_Prison]

Well I tend to differ from that because it does win games time to time and not just against noobs. But I do admit, it does have a rough time with rushes up my sides.

[Lonely Tylenol]

A centre-based hammerhead formation like Tecibbar's would do good against flanking either turtle side.

But your formation IS very open to flanking, which was a flaw Tcbb had in his forms as well. Plus, a bomb/rush would eat you alive. That's why I prefer spread rushes--the units are less vulnerable to bombing and flanks can be protected, and you can still flank either side of the field.

P.S.--Try moving the Scout to a safer initial position. It's invaluable against a chanty user. :yes3:

[zzzaacckk]

If you use that versus grey turtles it will work decently as long as you rush his flank fast. If you try and beat golds with that you will be eaten alive I believe. My VERY FIRST grey setup was somewhat similar to that. It had the lighnin ward up front... I posted it in this thread:http://www.tacticsarena.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10682

This form took me a very long way back in the day...(beginning of 2004). I dont know how well it would work now... who knows... maybe try testing it.

[dab00z]

move your lward up 1 space to guard against witch burn.

[Lonely Tylenol]

move your lward up 1 space to guard against witch burn.

He already has a Knight on the front for that purpose. If he moved the LW up, he'd block the frontal movement of the Knight.

[wolf-boy]

If that is a rushing form, You reallly should take your chanty out, and maybe put in another DMW considering you said you like to rush/scare them. DMW's are good for that, So, if you want to keep the Chanty, put in a bw or somehting.

[Ice_Prison]

Lonely Tylenol: I'll definitely take the Scout suggestion to mind when I rework my form. A hammerhead formation sounds really interesting, is that something which looks like zzzacckk's form (one post below yours)?

zzzacckk: Your form is pretty neat :) I think I'll give it a test run esp. since I just got an extra witch a couple of days ago.

dab00z: Yeh, I tried putting the LW 1 space forward b4, but it didn't turn out too well. It just got in my knights' way of rushing and deterred my general strategy. I prefer having it 1 space back to uphold a better defense which makes rushing me by the enemy a less attractive option.

wolf-boy: But I luuuuuv my chanty :( I cant' count how many times my chanty saved me just by freezing that lone rushing knight/scout. Well I guess maybe it isn't a pure rush then, more like a turtle/rush hybrid.

[Realist]

The biggest problem with this set is that it tries to be offesive and defensive at the same time and fails at both. You're not going to be able to take out a good turtle, and the turtler can then win by attrition due to your lack of barrier ward and central placement.

[Ice_Prison]

I personally think I can give a good turtle a run for his money and this form has gotten me just above 1000. (Don't know if that's good or bad, what is a good grey rating nowdays?)

If I'm lucky enough to get 1 or 2 more Assassins, I'll definitely try to make it more rush-oriented. But as of now, this is the best rush I can cook up with the default grey units.

[Realist]

Extra assassins are probably not going to help you rush...plus, then you won't be able to use bomb ability until one of them is dead.

I'd say the biggest thing your form needs is a BW. One of the greatest advantages of a central formation is the ability to have a defended central barrier ward that allows your units to get deep into your opponents territory and then barrier.

[Momato]

A centre-based hammerhead formation like Tecibbar's would do good against flanking either turtle side.

But your formation IS very open to flanking, which was a flaw Tcbb had in his forms as well. Plus, a bomb/rush would eat you alive


I don't know if they are the same person but tcbb, and teccibar? they do have the same letters. tcbb - tecibbar?

Probably me being paranoid, but i could be onto something...

[Match Strike]

I don't know if they are the same person but tcbb, and teccibar? they do have the same letters. tcbb - tecibbar?

Probably me being paranoid, but i could be onto something...
Very perceptive.

[inked]

I don't know if they are the same person but tcbb, and teccibar? they do have the same letters. tcbb - tecibbar?

Probably me being paranoid, but i could be onto something...

He is the same person and it is well known.

[Momato]

oh right, ok. hehehe. i didn't realise.

[emerald slasher]

most good turtlers would be able to stop your rush fairly quickly

no bward=:nono:

[wolf-boy]

And realist, about the assassins, They can be helpful, I've lost to a two assassin form before, they have very good blocking.

[ima taliban man]

switch the chanty for a barrier ward.

[The Chosen One]

The setup seems ok, it all depends what you like. Personaly, i would move the ward up to take out pyros and witches in one move, your setup is dangerous with magic units, but if your good with it best of luck in your battles. :)

[Gypsy]

An old grey(legends grey) form of mine counters that well.
Its a spread out flanker form with two brs, a mud, a frost, a cleric, a bw, three knights and a scout of course. I can't find a screenshot of it right now and I am at school so I don't feel like going on the game to get one. But when I get one I will post it. The thing would eat that form alive.
Fast Edit: The form spares no one to be quite honest I got to 1650 grey with it.

[Buster]

Well, as long as you keep it against n00bs, you'll do ok.

Jefferys right all the time.

[Gypsy]

Jeffery is always wrong in my books. *eyeroll*

[Ice_Prison]

Appreciate all the comments! Thanks for taking a look.


After extensive testing, I'm must say I'm very happy with this form and it does quite well against turtles. Most turtles cower too deep in their shells to launch an assault, therefore I get to take the offensive most of the time, which suits me just fine. It's easy to crack a turtle once you get the hang of it, you just have to keep pecking and pecking at them, don't give them any space and don't give up.


This form has taken me over 1200, which is not great but also not too shabby. It's great for aggressive players who prefer more action but also something competitive. With this form you will never have to play an opposite turtle match again.


Taking all the comments abroad and also through my own gameplay experience, I now introduce the determined final form of the Battering Ram:

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/9372/batteringram1xy.jpg

The Scout and the Assassin are pulled back one row to a safer spot, so their side armor isn't exposed to Knight hit. I also pulled back one of my frontal Knights to prevent witches and pyros burning all 3 Knights at once.


The best improvement in the new form, I think, is that it sets up an Assassin bomb very nicely. It is very easy to get my Assassin to 1hp in 2 turns, using a Pyro + Witch combo. My assassin is also placed very conveniently to snag an opponent's Lightning Ward or Knight.


After consideration, the Barrier Ward is not included in the final form. Because this form is rather aggressive, most of my games are very fast paced. I need to make the most out of my moves to maximise the damage I do to my opponent, therefore I usually don't have the time to barrier my units and also, I prefer to save the space for another attacking unit.


Gypsy, you are right, a front line flanking form is my worst nightmare. I'd be very interested in your grey Legends form if you find it,

[Match Strike]

Most turtles cower too deep in their shells to launch an assault, therefore I get to take the offensive most of the time, which suits me just fine.
You should play my turtle then.

And this thread is oooold.

[Dove]

You should play my turtle then.

And this thread is oooold.

Indeed. He'd have a heck of a time dealing with my Scout. I can penetrate into pretty much wherever I want to go and still have B-Ward backup. By the time you break my focus I'll be prepared to run away and heal, or even Barrier straight back up.

Flank might be difficult to defend, but if I get you Chantied, you'd be toast. And given that I'd be pounding on your side, you'd either lose you Cleric and Scout while flanking me, or defend hopelessly as my Scout picked away.

It needs a B-Ward desperately.

[Cuathon]

my grey turt could easily defend aginst that, or destroy it. scout flanks, maybe a knight and my assassin as well. with no b-ward your chanty is also incredibly vulnerable.