Symmetry is not your friend.

Haelix · 12-04-2003, 10:48 PM

So, yeah, I'm giving away all my secrets in these strategy posts.

Now, I've seen some weird formations, like all of us I'm sure, but something that even people with non-outrageous formations need to think about is how to set up their pieces.

First off, the more territory your initial formation occupies, the thinner you have to spread your forces. Granted, this leaves you less vulnerable to magic attacks, but, it's not that worth it. If your forces are all concentrated closer together, then they'll be able to kill any magic units that step up to the plate to take advantage of your closeness. (Someone who uses barrier wards effectively can get a shot off, but then you can heal most of it back with one cleric heal.)

Secondly, have you ever read a book, or seen a TV show where a hero looks for a defensible position, with his/her back to the wall?
It works for TAO too. If you have taken the advice of point one, then you have a closer bunch of units. Where better to stick them than in a corner. If you have them in the centre as symmetry would dictate, then you are open on 3 fronts, and have to protected your cleric from both side attacks. If you have your units in a corner, and have only 2 fronts open, and have to protect your cleric from 1 side attack only.

All of this hinges slightly on my previous post regarding the fact that a defensive formation is the best. If you're a gung-ho attacker, then this might not be the best idea.

Come on! I'm waiting for your counter-arguments with justifications.

Haelix

xyxaxyz2 · 12-04-2003, 11:28 PM

I agree on all points.

Eldar[TN] · 12-04-2003, 11:34 PM

Magi will slaughter tight defensive formations as I proved to Drunken Dragon.

AzN_GuY · 12-04-2003, 11:43 PM

heh, you dont have to be tight... just unbalanced

Eldar[TN] · 12-04-2003, 11:47 PM

There isn't enough space to not have a tight defensive formation without being spread thin o0

AzN_GuY · 12-05-2003, 12:06 AM

some units do better when spread thinly... but i agree, it's not really feasible

Lone Wolf · 12-05-2003, 06:53 AM

The way to make it packed in tight but offensive is to setup your units on one side in the forward position. Allowing them all to be in a line. This way they are not vulnerable to side or back hit early on, unless your enemy has a dragon or mud golem. But if they bring those in you can always fall back on top of them. and gang bang the hell out of them. The best part about this formation though is that is flexible. You can go all out attack on them or you can hold back and wait for them. Often you can tell which to do on the first few turns.

- Lone Wolf

Ahab · 12-05-2003, 12:14 PM

I'm not all bunched up, but I am close enough to close ranks if the opponent is aggressive. If the situation warrants it, however, I can take advantage of bunched up formations by falnking them, something you cannot do when there is a lightening ward in the middle (my preference). Having a frost golem helps the defense immensely, but I will admit it gets a little dicey at times!

My point: you have to be prepared for all sorts of setups, so flexibility is called for. Bunching them together too much loses that flexibility.

Excession · 12-05-2003, 01:05 PM

Defensive formations can work well - especially with access to gold troops. However, a spread-out force can fight relatively well by attacking from all angles at once - backing away from the defender and reforming the line for maximum effect.

jaydude6 · 12-05-2003, 02:10 PM

personally i think formations are too inflexible.

AzN_GuY · 12-05-2003, 04:13 PM

what do you propose?

Eldar[TN] · 12-05-2003, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jaydude6
personally i think formations are too inflexible.

Then line all your units up in the back two rows o0

Hammy · 12-05-2003, 10:17 PM

spread your men out and leave the magic ones far back or behind objects. then you get protction against magic and defense for the vulnerable peices.

Eldar[TN] · 12-05-2003, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hammy
spread your men out and leave the magic ones far back or behind objects. then you get protction against magic and defense for the vulnerable peices.

Then its too far forward to be a 'defensive' formation o0

Hammy · 12-05-2003, 10:24 PM

I guess I don't use defensive formations then.

I find people who do aren't effective. They think the lightning ward will stop 3 knights storming in. they get one shot off and just get slaughtered.

12-04-2003, 10:48 PM	#1
Haelix Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 36	Symmetry is not your friend. So, yeah, I'm giving away all my secrets in these strategy posts. Now, I've seen some weird formations, like all of us I'm sure, but something that even people with non-outrageous formations need to think about is how to set up their pieces. First off, the more territory your initial formation occupies, the thinner you have to spread your forces. Granted, this leaves you less vulnerable to magic attacks, but, it's not that worth it. If your forces are all concentrated closer together, then they'll be able to kill any magic units that step up to the plate to take advantage of your closeness. (Someone who uses barrier wards effectively can get a shot off, but then you can heal most of it back with one cleric heal.) Secondly, have you ever read a book, or seen a TV show where a hero looks for a defensible position, with his/her back to the wall? It works for TAO too. If you have taken the advice of point one, then you have a closer bunch of units. Where better to stick them than in a corner. If you have them in the centre as symmetry would dictate, then you are open on 3 fronts, and have to protected your cleric from both side attacks. If you have your units in a corner, and have only 2 fronts open, and have to protect your cleric from 1 side attack only. All of this hinges slightly on my previous post regarding the fact that a defensive formation is the best. If you're a gung-ho attacker, then this might not be the best idea. Come on! I'm waiting for your counter-arguments with justifications. Haelix

12-04-2003, 11:34 PM	#3
Eldar[TN] The Newbies Lead. Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 282	Magi will slaughter tight defensive formations as I proved to Drunken Dragon. __________________ The Newbies of Great Lakes: Eldar[TN] BufferThanSkinny CanadianBacon99 ALF[TN] XxGosuxX

12-04-2003, 11:43 PM	#4
AzN_GuY You Want Fries With That? Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Far side of the moon Posts: 1,227	heh, you dont have to be tight... just unbalanced __________________ What's a Mod?

12-04-2003, 11:47 PM	#5
Eldar[TN] The Newbies Lead. Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 282	There isn't enough space to not have a tight defensive formation without being spread thin o0 __________________ The Newbies of Great Lakes: Eldar[TN] BufferThanSkinny CanadianBacon99 ALF[TN] XxGosuxX

12-05-2003, 12:06 AM	#6
AzN_GuY You Want Fries With That? Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Far side of the moon Posts: 1,227	some units do better when spread thinly... but i agree, it's not really feasible __________________ What's a Mod?

12-04-2003, 11:28 PM	#2
xyxaxyz2 Exist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 5,116	I agree on all points.

12-05-2003, 06:53 AM	#7
Lone Wolf KOTR member? Yes! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Right here you fool! Posts: 194	The way to make it packed in tight but offensive is to setup your units on one side in the forward position. Allowing them all to be in a line. This way they are not vulnerable to side or back hit early on, unless your enemy has a dragon or mud golem. But if they bring those in you can always fall back on top of them. and gang bang the hell out of them. The best part about this formation though is that is flexible. You can go all out attack on them or you can hold back and wait for them. Often you can tell which to do on the first few turns. - Lone Wolf __________________

12-05-2003, 12:14 PM	#8
Ahab Gold Account Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 176	I'm not all bunched up, but I am close enough to close ranks if the opponent is aggressive. If the situation warrants it, however, I can take advantage of bunched up formations by falnking them, something you cannot do when there is a lightening ward in the middle (my preference). Having a frost golem helps the defense immensely, but I will admit it gets a little dicey at times! My point: you have to be prepared for all sorts of setups, so flexibility is called for. Bunching them together too much loses that flexibility.

12-05-2003, 01:05 PM	#9
Excession Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19	Defensive formations can work well - especially with access to gold troops. However, a spread-out force can fight relatively well by attacking from all angles at once - backing away from the defender and reforming the line for maximum effect.

12-05-2003, 02:10 PM	#10
jaydude6 KOTR Mascot&Founder Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 271	personally i think formations are too inflexible. __________________ There are two kinds of people in this life. There are those that complete their senten KOTR RULES! -official mascot -"No edges, no borders, no boundaries to our might."

12-05-2003, 04:13 PM	#11
AzN_GuY You Want Fries With That? Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Far side of the moon Posts: 1,227	what do you propose? __________________ What's a Mod?

12-05-2003, 10:17 PM	#13
Hammy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 26	spread your men out and leave the magic ones far back or behind objects. then you get protction against magic and defense for the vulnerable peices.

12-05-2003, 10:24 PM	#15
Hammy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 26	I guess I don't use defensive formations then. I find people who do aren't effective. They think the lightning ward will stop 3 knights storming in. they get one shot off and just get slaughtered.

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