Empire: Total War Land Battle Guide

Written by: Simon Hill • Edited by: J. F. Amprimoz
Updated Mar 8, 2010

This article provides you with a detailed guide to fighting land battles in Empire: Total War. How does it differ from earlier Total War titles? What are the most important considerations in terms of tactics? We take a look at the terrain, formations and morale and suggest a path to victory.

Empire: Total War

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Real-time strategy games are all about the battles. Sadly some titles fail to place much importance upon careful strategy and so the combat degenerates into chaos. Not so with Empire: Total War. The approach is vital and even with superior forces a headlong charge at a well placed enemy will often end in disaster. For a successful land battle you have to weigh up your position, the surrounding terrain, the enemy position and your army’s morale. Choose unfavourable ground, allow your enemy to flank you or charge too early and you may find your army crumbles before your eyes. Land battles have not changed a huge amount compared to earlier games in the series such as Rome: Total War but there are a few additions to note and the new unit types require a modified approach.

The Importance of Terrain

The importance of terrain cannot be underestimated in the Total War series. As with real history the exact location that armies choose to line up their ranks can often decide the battle. In simple terms you want to be on higher ground. This will enable your ranged troops, bowmen, riflemen or artillery to fire further. It also means the enemy gets tired climbing the hill to attack you and a well placed charge at the right moment can send them scurrying back down again. This was especially true in previous installments of Total War but even with the advent of guns and good quality artillery you will still find many battles spill into a bloody melee struggle and having the higher position is hugely advantageous.

Fences and Walls

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There are two big additions in Empire: Total War which have an impact on where you place your troops and how they move around on the battlefield. For a start rolling open plains are now a rarity, most battlefields are littered with the evidence of advanced cultivation and you will find fields enclosed by walls and fences. These walls and fences can be used as cover by units of riflemen and they provide a barrier to all unit types. Men on foot will pause and climb over before they can continue on their way and cavalry will awkwardly jump the barriers. Placing your men in a line behind a fence or wall can work extremely well.

It can also be a good idea to place them back from but near the wall because they will then get a few free shots at enemy cavalry while they are trying to clamber over the obstacle to get at you. If you have infantry incoming, you can get to the wall and use it for cover before they can

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Empire: Total War Land Battle Guide

Empire: Total War

The Importance of Terrain

Fences and Walls

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