FORMATION GUIDE! - Total War: Warhammer Beginners Guide

A look into Battle Formations, Battle Lines and controlling your flanks. And how to deal with your enemies!

[@i3link92]

This is the first time I found a video that explains clearly how to arrange your formation effectively, and it works so well!

[@Zerkovich]

That is what I aim for comrade. Glad it was useful to you.

[@wizardofaus7013]

Coming back and seeing these after “Noob Mistakes”...death lines...

[@Zerkovich]

Haha. Warhammer 1 was a simpler time when magic couldn't wipe out half your army.

[@wiesiuu5824]

@@Zerkovich just bought wh1 and watching this

[@Scarletraven87]

Yeah this is so outdated

[@jtowensbyiii6018]

@@Scarletraven87 all of this is still 100% accurate, its just a 101 video, and before kill lines existed in game.

[@reeceshugrue6167]

@@jtowensbyiii6018 Whats a kill line?

[@joaquinmurciaballesta2911]

I played Empire vs Greenskins and I lost. After watching your tutorial and changing some units, I won more or less easily at the same battlefield. Thank you!

[@Zerkovich]

Good stuff. That's what it's all about! Taking the right tools for the job.

[@WelsknightGaming]

Informative and to the point. Well done.

[@OxMan95]

Welsknight Gaming didn't know hermits fight in the old world 👀

[@billmcshane1936]

Welsknight Gaming I wanted. To understand how the Israelites walked into the dried up the Red Sea The account said they walked in battle formation. Thank you for helping

[@ku7a94]

This is unexpected

[@didyouknow4870]

What what wellsknight!

[@Hedhnter]

This was actually informative even for a series veteran, good job

[@Zerkovich]

You be welcome Chief

[@Schnaqer]

You deserve way more subscribers.

[@Zerkovich]

Thanks man. All in good time! :D

[@nurkadurka]

I like to think of myself (at least in the campaigns) as a Total War veteran, and even I found a good amount of helpful stuff in this video. Just earned one more sub =D

[@Koeras16]

He does, new here, but awesome video.

[@georgiababylon3160]

You deserve some butter and a melon.

[@todalio9238]

Early June 2020, he has 110 000. Anyone remember what it was 3 years ago?

[@bermradgaming2992]

As a fresh player to the Total war series, I had troubles beating the AI (even on easy) until I really worked on my formation using this guide (and other similar guides). I always put the archers behind the infantry from the beginning and some way or another the flank always broke down, leaving my isolated units vulnerable to cavalry attacks. Thanks for the video, helped out a ton!

[@Zerkovich]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for the viewing!

[@mivapusa]

Remember when there were actual formations and you could lock your formation? The Caldari State remembers

[@spaghettimkay5795]

Shut up heretic. Amarr Empire for life.

[@mrbouncelol]

@@spaghettimkay5795 last i checked you need to have actual skill to manage transversal for frigate lasers. Orrrrrr rocket masterrace 😂

[@SkullFoxTV]

Came here because of a friend's recommendation and it was an instant subscribe. Real good, detailed yet concise information catered to new players. Other channels just don't do a good enough of a job explaining. Good work man!

[@Zerkovich]

Well thanks for checking out my works. Pleased you were not disappointed. Welcome to the family Warchief!

[@NefariousKoel]

The historical term used for your defensively angled deployment of units on the end of the line, at 6:39, is "refused". e.g. If you angle the right spear unit back, then your "right side is refused" or "the right flank spears are deployed refused".

[@katsilva4277]

This is an excellent, comprehensive beginners guide. No presumptions, every concept mentioned gets explored. Kudos.

[@Zerkovich]

Thanks man. I like to keep it clear!

[@lonelyqueen86]

Even though I love the total war series, (shogun 2 is my favorite) I've never felt like i was particularly good at it. Your videos have been very helpful in improving my game.

[@atlaswilliams9639]

My brother has played total war franchise games for years and I just got Warhammer 2. And of course now he wants to battle me. Hopefully 30 minutes of this channel will make up for years of strategy and actual game play.

[@nilocblue]

Great video, and I like that you didn't waste time with less than important info and/or bad jokes. It was professional, natural, and informative. Not too long, not too short. Good job bud, subscribed.

[@adrianaslund8605]

Vampire counts have a unique ability to stretch out as far as they can and then just walk in formation past the enemy line. The units that don't get engaged keeps walking forward. Ending up behind the enemy line. And then they can charge their flanks. Enveloping them. Its literally like a zombie invasion manoeuver. And you are almost always guaranteed to outnumber your enemy. And your entire army is made up of melee units. So no units have to stay behind the line or be defended like artillery and archers. Just go all in.

[@serendipity4740]

Hello! Thank you so much for this guide. I just started playing Warhammer II last night. I made it about 60 turns in and realized that I need to research different strategies as this game is very in depth. Super excited to get back at it!

[@gunnbott]

solid info, great commentary, and respectful to new players. Subscribed

[@Zerkovich]

Appreciate that homes. **high five**

[@Aelgorass]

Outstanding video. I have barely any experience with rts games and you explained it just flawless. And I never comment on videos, so this is saying something. Thank you

[@riccardomoscatello2030]

this is the best explanation i found ont he tube, thanks!

[@Zerkovich]

Appreciate that. =]

[@nawnomadnan9874]

Just started playing this game. Awesome guide !

[@chalisblur]

Clear and concise, thank you for the well thought out tutorial!

[@seframcochrane5811]

Brilliant Work Friend! The best video i found as an introduction into basic tactical thinking! I played strategy games a lot in my gaming career, but I never thought about tactics since my very first srategy game dune 2000. 😀 Yes! There was no need to think about that really. But nowadays with such great Games like Total War I am forced to step into a much deeper tactical thinking. Your videos gave me the most basic answears I need to finnaly understand why these almost ancient melee strategies are how they are and why it has this basic structure anyway. So... I am very happy that I found your whole material about this! Now I feel much more like I know what I am doing and where are the things I can play around with formation or unit composition! Definitive Thumbs up for this well made presentation! 👍

[@boskojal1681]

Thanks for this, had the game for quite some time and never managed to have fun because I couldnt properly control my armies, they're basically windows shortcuts it's so great

[@Rizz1es]

The demonstration was great for defensive play. I would have loved to see you go over an offensive play too

[@chacalXXX]

I'm playing my first TW game, thrones of Britannia. Everyone is saying that that's a weak installment in the tw series , but I absolutely love it. Everything is new though. This video is really helping me to have a correct mindset when playing my battles. Thank you!

[@Strongholdex]

My first was Napoleon, I loved it as well, you need to play it.

[@theunfortunategeneral]

This video helped me alot when i first saw it. It took me from Pure saurus warriors that all ways got shot to skinks to close the gap and Saurus warriors to break the line. And made me afford some better quality units.

[@nicklovelight3304]

thats how probably machiavelli of our times explanation would look like. Big thumb Up! Real art of war, even more then just a game, your explanations feel realy deep. Pls continue!

[@Zerkovich]

Glad you enjoyed it brother! I shall continue!

[@elwingwhite2801]

Awesome vid. Thanks :) Playing TW games for 17 years now, but never played online. So I struggle with "not-using-pause-key" and never play the battle in realtime. Watching you play helps me alot to improve and get multiplayer-ready :) EDIT: Beware when I'm ready in another 17 years 😑

[@ricardomokveld839]

very good video man. high quality content. i hope you grow man you deserve it

[@Zerkovich]

Thanks Broski! I plan on it!

[@anthonylong5139]

Very informative! Thank you for this video.

[@Vadim-qw4tc]

I have a noob question :) At 10:37 mark you issue an order to your group number 1 and they selectively rush the enemy units in front of them instead of attacking that one enemy unit you clicked on. How did you that? Because I just hold the up key to make whole group run forward.

[@Zerkovich]

You need them in a LOCKED group. So select your units and press G. Then click the little padlock on the group so it goes red. Then they're locked and you can get them to auto attack different units. If you want an example, I do so in my Army Movement Guide video.

[@Vadim-qw4tc]

Wow, didnt really expect an answer to a coment on an old video. Thanks a lot dude :) keep up the good work

[@VisionsDark]

Always important to understand the basics and I think this is an excellent video for just that

[@Zerkovich]

That was my intention so glad it came across!

[@nicolascoton6116]

Very useful information! thanks for doing this kind of videos it helped me a lot!

[@ReinaEXO]

Ive been doing the that formation so glad to see Ive been doing it right since I just strated playing Total War Warhammer since it was for free on epic games.

[@ned7237]

Thank you, very useful and easy to follow.

[@leloupdessteppes3228]

Your tutorial is awesome man. Keep making videos !

[@Arrtoorrn]

10:33 how did u made it (i ask about 1 click to attack all swordsmens vs enemy unit but not all on one but 1 by 1 )

[@user-np4ec7cs7o]

Awesome video! Thank you for the excellent advices!

[@stuff3862]

I’ve found a fantastic formation against the ai where I just condense my catapults in the rear, make a center line of infantry, Calvary on the left and right and finally archers on the front line, to be pulled back last second so the infantry can fight, then they just pick off the other archers and the catapults are protected at all costs. I’m able to win 1:3 odds sometimes with this strategy.

[@Jarulf4477]

Yep classic historical tactics and battle formations working for thousads of years. : D

[@ZainDever]

Glad I found this channel. Helped me a lot with the campaign I have with Vlad. Operation, Horde of Zombies Cream of the Crop.

[@Zerkovich]

Welcome to the family son!

[@pure35]

I subbed. I hope you do way more videos like this and the Battle guide!

[@Zerkovich]

Thanks bro. I certainly will be!

[@Anihe]

New player here. Havent played total war since Rome. Your guides are just perfect! Thank you!

[@Zerkovich]

Thanks broski!

[@deanchild9848]

Great guide as I am new to this game...thank you

[@BlackSabbath628]

How do you incorporate guns and cannons in your formation? I have trouble keeping them safe, as if I keep them in the front they get charge by fast cav, and if I keep them behind the frontline with archers they shoot the frontline in the back.

[@trentsmithson7332]

Thanks for this vid. Perfectly explained. Great job

[@RoulicisThe]

I have a question : which control do you use to command your entire front line to charge at once, but not on the same target ? I've been playing the game for a while now, and I could never find the right command >

[@etiennesauve3386]

I think you did a good job explaining the basic concept but I think you could have explored a bit more on the role of reserves and their composition. Would have also been nice to see advanced formations like for missile heavy army but I guess that could have been another video

[@matgaming79]

Thank you Zerkovich! Very helpful.

[@kyleellis1825]

I really like the W formation. It lets me do a double pincer or break into 2, 3, or 3 even 4 lines if I need them. I can break the back tips of for fliers, the sides off for cavalry. my artillery is safe and as long as I stagger, magic is only a normal problem (no death lines)

[@benjaminshtark5977]

on 9:40 you combine all troops into a group for autoattack order.. could you please elaborate on this? is it like click on ground to attack nearest target? like in starcraft?

[@msf47]

i just started playing this game and i am having fun

[@paulthegaull]

very helpful, thank you. i've been struggling even in campaign matches.

[@Zerkovich]

No worries Bro. Just gotta know your units!

[@RypienGT]

Hey mate. Ive never played Warhammer1 on PC, but enjoy watching youtube battles. Having ordered Warhammer2 im keen to jump in. Your vids are very good, you now have a new sub. Warhammer Battle March on my xbox 360 will be shelved finally ☺

[@Zerkovich]

Welcome to the family son! Hahah, sounds like a mighty upgrade! I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Glad you enjoy my works! **fist bump**

[@CPTBaerchen]

those guides are helping me quite a lot as a tw noob. thanks man you got another sub.

[@Zerkovich]

**salutes**

[@bmsqqq]

@Zerkovich would you say this guide is still relevant? Are there any specific factions for which one formation is excellent to use or a formation it would be a disaster to use against a specific faction or formation?

[@rizkymerdietio7884]

I just finished my first campaign today (in normal lol) after watching a ton of your videos! Cant wait for warhammer II

[@Zerkovich]

Congratulations Chief. Legendary next then! :D

[@kentakobashi2287]

Awesome content per minute. Subbed!

[@nitrospidergaming7394]

Thank you so much this helped a lot.

[@user-lq7bp7ue1g]

I love your videos I just subscribed. Such a pleasant intro

[@Zerkovich]

Thank you, thank you. **secret handshake** Welcome to the family son.

[@KinghtofZero00]

These guides are the best. I actually gotten a lot better because of this guy lol

[@Zerkovich]

That's what I aim for and what I'm trying to do for people! So good job it's working! :D

[@Pharmaman100]

god damn man been searching for this kind of guides all week since this is my first TW game and im super lost xD

[@Zerkovich]

I have many! Educate yourself good Sir.

[@scofield1154]

taskmasterblaster Do it like me, I've done normal >>hard>>very hard and then I finished a legendary campaign, all within my first month of two.

[@herveglandu4847]

Great job, great advices. Really nice video, thx :)

[@alphafox5722]

Awesome information. Thanks a lot.

[@TheZombieman87]

Never tried Total War: Warhammer yet though having played a lot of Medieval Total War, the way I usually do is Archers/missile troops at the back, heavy and light cavalry on the flanks and main infantry in the center. If I have reserves, it would mostly be spearmen and swordsmen and other light infantry who would usually be around my general and behind the main infantry line.

[@adrianaslund8605]

Ive often tried to memorize what Ive learned playing these games. But I tend to forget them. One thing Ive learned is that it almost never pays to have your army situated far from reinforcements. Unless these reinforcements are all cavalry. Units are lost extremely quickly in Warhammer. And battles end soon. And a beefy frontline is invaluable. You could look away and they get deleted in a heartbeat. And when it comes to Vanguard deployment. Its rarely worth it. Unless they are fast, stealth and are tanky killing machines(In a Lybaras campaign I had a Tomb King with the shroud of Sokth riding a huge War Sphinx charging out of nothingness into my enemies flank at one point). Then its invaluable. But stealth archer units are better off supporting your frontline then being found out and deleted before they could accomplish anything. Forests are your friend in almost every situation. It hides your units defend them from ranged and artillery fire and debuffs any large units attacking you. Except if they're forest elves and some sorts of beastmen. But your'e still sheltered from artillery and sight. Don't try to sneak up on Lizardmen though. They'll see you. I need to start writing things down when I think them.

[@grimmurgaming3855]

You sir, have earned yourself a subscriber. Thanks a lot for the tips!

[@Zerkovich]

Welcome to the family Warchief!

[@ruuwb]

Thanks for this, your videos are great, exactly what im looking for. i'll sub to you!

[@Zerkovich]

[@deadgum11]

Is it not best to keep your archers behind your front line at the start of the battle? Do you not lose firing time whilst the enemy is marching towards you by pulling them back behind?

[@Zerkovich]

Yes and no. While yes, they lose time moving back. They also gain time as they can shoot the enemy sooner because their range is further out. If you micro them, you could move them back just before the enemy is about to reach them, maximising their damage potentially. However, this is more of a previous TW tactic, as the fast moving units of Warhammer make that way of doing it risky. So yeah, keeping them behind the line can be a better option. I typically do. But it's pretty even whichever way you do it to be honest.

[@deadgum11]

Zerkovich Alright cool, cheers dude.

[@mrbouncelol]

Also consider the psychogical advantage. Pointless against AI but against a human, they're already thinking this guy has played Rome

[@brettiverson208]

U don’t even have to move them back actually you can just move your melee forward in front of them

[@Thomas-Nelving]

Hey! thank you so much! I have learn alot!! well done! Keep it up!

[@Zerkovich]

No problem man! :D

[@Feminismisfornobody]

I've played total war for ages and know all this stuff, but this was just nice to watch for some reason.

[@Zerkovich]

Hahah. Well that's good at least!

[@caronphilippe4200]

nice guide as always

[@Cr0nUs1340]

Z your awesome! thank you for the great tutorials!

[@Zerkovich]

Appreciate that homie. **fist bump**

[@Voltron4ev4]

Great vid as always

[@michaeldusenbury6744]

great video, good work

[@ICaligvla]

How do you get your lines so thin? My game seems to be hard locked to have unit lines stop at 4 men deep.

[@ragingmonkey9383]

Thank you so much for this guide I just started today and with your guides I just won 2 games in a row as I’m playing lizard men so I brought 6 units of Saturn’s warriors then I had cold one riders on the flanks with sauces warriors with spears then for a back up line I brought 2 temple guard and a solar engine and kroq Kara on his Dino and that worked well as my battle line wasn’t huge but it held while I focused down their left wing and pushed through and with my cold ones I was able to hammer and anvil the back of their centre line and won thanks for this guide it worked really well

[@sanpakuis5470]

Definitely earned my sub

[@AnEnormousNerd]

`What's an 'auto attack order'? Is there a way to make your battle line attack without selecting a target for each unit individually?

[@Corusame]

Great tutorial!

[@RobbyJM]

Good work on all these videos!

[@Zerkovich]

Thanks Broseph

[@QuiXoLP]

how did you told your centre to move forward and engage enemy forces?

[@TheNoodleGod9001]

Other thing to look out for is whether your cav would beat their cav in a jousting match. Knights of the Realm and Demigryph Halberds have Anti-Large, so they're ideal Jousting cav.

[@ihamptonii]

Thank you for posting this.

[@Zerkovich]

No worries mayn

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

The most overlooked tactic of players of Warhammer is unit formations, not just army formation. I beat Mallus Darkblade using Khalida from the Tomb Kings using the same tactic that Hannibal Barca used to defeat 70,000 Romans at the battle of Cannae. If you've never heard of that battle and how Hannibal beat the Romans despite being severely outnumbered, then you really need to look it up. Most players set their units up in lines instead of columns. Set your spear men, pole arms, halberds in a column on the flanks instead of a line as you march forward. This confounds cavalry from charging in, as all they have to do is turn left or right to face the enemy. They are already in formation and don't have to move into a formation. I baited Mallus the same way Hannibal did. Hannibal placed himself front and center of his army which he also stacked with the weakest forces in his army. When the Romans saw this, they charged in after him. Sure enough, Mallus came straight for Khalida and I did a slow retreat back into my men who were lined up in columns on each side (the same way Hannibal did). As he followed me with his men, the trap sprang shut and my units attacked him from both flanks simultaneously. My Chariots chased away is archers and came in behind his forces and trapped them all in a blob, most of his units couldn't even engage because they were stuck in the middle of blob. From there, it was a slaughter fest, just like the real battle of Cannae.

[@ruzovaberuska]

How do you make the army actually hold formation when moving?

[@danny8231]

quick question, at 9min45 you mention a "autoattack order". How does this work? You group the units and attack one unit of the enemy. doesnt that mean they all run towards that one selected unit? Even though locked? And if they stay in line, will they start running, when they get closer to a enemy unit?

[@Zerkovich]

When the group is *locked* they will attack different units (which they'll choose themselves) when you click one unit. If *unlocked* then yeah, they all go after the one you clicked.

[@Mancboy2000]

The only thing that bothers me is having swords as the main line. It's usually better to have a line of spears with swords protecting the wings, especially since cavalry and monsters are usually the main punching power of most factions. More spears+less swords=higher quality army in most cases. There are always exceptions, but for a general rule that's the better option. Spears are also cheaper in the empire roster, so there's even economic advantages in that case. My routine army comp being spear line, great sword/sword wings and crossbows with mortar support. It tends to be the best all round army, and getting as close to that as possible with other factions has also served me well.

[@Zerkovich]

Perhaps against the dumbass AI that can make sense as they do charge Cavalry straight at you very often. But in most cases, and especially online, Cavalry is used to flank with. Hence why the Spears go on the edge. I think you run the risk of having a disadvantaged frontline with all Spears. Because if the enemy brings all Swords. You're in trouble D: Of course it's variable and maybe you've got some boss Spears against some shitty Swordsman and you'll do fine. Either way, both ways can work! From a traditional Total War point of view though, Spears go at the edges, as is best in previous games. Warhammer does open things up a bit.

[@Dark89Avenger]

As far as my experience goes the most wining strategy is to put some defensive units like spearmen in the center(usually 2 lines) and in the flanks strong melee units like the swordmen that are backed up with halberdiers. That way you are almost always going to win the flanks and then envelop the center. The problem is that some monstrous inits now can very easily fuck up most of your plans anyway - nothing break formations more quickly than a fucking giant trowing temper tantrum amidst your front line

[@gabrielaramburo3700]

Zerkovich, great video. Thnk you for it

[@stonepiratilla]

Nice work, thanks

[@goatgoat944]

How do you get your line to move at the same speed ?

[@geistreiches]

very helpful, thanks!

[@xxapoloxx]

What about unit formation, what is the difference between going 3 lines deep vs 6 lines deep square?

[@jaygreen2681]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing this. :)

[@Zerkovich]

You're welcome JG.

[@bootscatsbootscatsboots]

Thanks dude!

[@oatlylatte9]

what is that drawing tools your using?

[@TommyCurrell]

Very well made video like and subbed :) What are your thoughts on a defensive build with a center of spear-man with shields that brace instead of charge? I was checking the stats for cost and they seem like they would do as well as swords because of their melee defense. Maybe a few swordsman and halberds to support cavalry flanks. I would need the advantage with ranged units to ensure they attack me.

[@Zerkovich]

Well it very much depends on the Spearman, and the enemy. Empire Halberdiers are pretty strong and could work for this sort of thing. Try it with Ungor Spears though and you'll probably have a lot of dead Goats holding Spears pretty quick. But that sort of Formation isn't uncommon, especially against Monster heavy factions. And thank you =]

[@strategossable1366]

I have always found attacking to be difficult, as keeping my line in formation AND charging at the same time requires a lot of micro managing, is there any way around this Just to make my troops MOVE DIRECTLY FORWARD AND NOT BREAK FORMATION and then to charge when in range? Or do I have to individually give out orders to specific troops?

[@Zerkovich]

That's where locked groups come in. I have an Army Movement Guide that covers this.

[@ravengaming2468]

how do u do this drawing thing you do on ur screen ?\

[@monsterhobbiesageofsigmar]

Great tactics. i wonder if this will work on my Table Top games?