Tactips:
These Tactips can be used for several strategy games but were
mainly intended for WHFB. They are probably most useful to
newbies as they deal with basics only.
1. CONCENTRATION OF FORCE
Whe you decide to attack, do so in force. As it is no use holding
back with an offensive force, it is moreso a waste to be defeated
when you do attack. It is an old militay doctrine to hold
a 50-100% advantage before attacking. Hold this in mind, and
avoid the enemy else. This also holds true for a defensive force,
since even though it is best to have the individual units spread
out, the attacks should be concentrated on one and the same
target, it is far better to inflict 25 casualities on one unit
that 5 casualities on 5 units. Just be careful so that you do not
"overkill" a target, no shots must be wasted. By
concentrating it's force even a small army can beat a larger one
by massing all forces and being superior in one area at a time
and retreating where inferior (in other words, Guerilla tactics).
2. MAINTENANCE OF AIM
When you have established a plan, follow it. The only thing worse
than a bad plan is hesitating in following it. Strike decisively!
It is alright to change your plan though when:
Otherwise, try to stick to your plan under all circumstances.
Small variations are allowed (eg sending some light cavalry to
tie up your opponents flanking force) but the basic gist of the
plan must remain the same. Be flexible but decisive. It is all to
easy to lose track of the coherent plan in the midst of a battle.
3. ESTABLISHING AN AIM
It is all well and good to talk about following your plan, but
first you got to have a plan. A good plan is one that will bring
you victory, while minimizing the element of chance and still
being hard to counter efficiently. To devise a plan, look at
yourself and your opponent: what are you good at and what are
your weaknesses. It is also preferable to watch the surrounding
terrain. If for example your enemy is strong in numbers, then
deploy on a narrow frontage and attack their flanks, sending them
into disarray. If your foes are few, then use your superior
numbers to surround them and cut away their escape routes. You
will see that specific tactics work best with specific forces and
against specific opponents. One word of warning though: do not
become too attached to a certain tactic, for with time any tactic
can be overcome, if you do not change then you will perish. Also,
keep it simple, complex plans are much more likely to fall apart
should anything go wrong. As the old adage says, "no plan
survives contact with the enemy".
4. DIVERSIONARY PLOYS
Any plan can be broken by the enemy, if he is well prepared and
is free to act. Likewise, it will be hard for you to stop the
enemy if he is decisive. However, by using deception you can
avert the enemy from his true purpose. If you can decide, or even
influence, what your enemy will do then the battle is tipped in
your favour. The best example of a diversionary ploy is attacking
something your enemy holds dear, such as a battery of war
machines or threatening the flank of his favorite unit. Your
enemy will then dispose his energies in removing that threat,
while leaving your main force largely intact. Thus, he has lost
sight of his original aim. Be warned not to spend too much points
on the diversionary force though, as it will most likely be
destroyed. If your enemy decides to ignore the ploy then you have
at least the chance of executing your threat and weakening the
enemy. Fast units are the best at executing such ploys, so flyers
and light cavalry are recommended.
5. KNOW YOUR ENEMY - AND YOURSELF
To be able to devise a cunning plan you must know what your foe
is good and bad at. You must know what to stay away from and what
to attack. You must know where his weak points are, and what to
watch out for, so study him carefully. You must also be familiar
with your own troops and abilities, both to crush your foe and
guard yourself against the enemy. If you leave no gaps open, no
flaws in your plan, then your opponent will be hard pressed to
destroy you. Remember the words of Sun Tzu: "The great
fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of
defeat. They then started to find out how to defeat the
enemy."
Written by: Lictor