Total War: Tactics - Shifted Battle Line Trap (Gunpowder Ambush)

[@andrezini5]

That moment you have to study for final exams but you end up becoming a martial strategist

[@Demolkowator]

Ehm, it's me right now. I have an exam tomorrow.

[@claus_2423]

Demol I got exam too actually..

[@akin61]

Me too...

[@Ashtraysblood]

lmao

[@karlfranzemperorofmandefil5547]

Me too

[@MrAldrenn]

myyyyyyyyyyyy lorddddddddddddd a glorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrious vicccccccccccctory will soon be upon us

[@ryanthan3595]

will soon be yours

[@CraFtoRek]

MMMMMMM A SHAMEFURRRR DISPRAY!!!!

[@inlimbo1714]

cutn blo

[@cainedezilwa1744]

I just tried this in online. Worked like a charm, they even rage quit at the end when it was obvious that I was gonna win. It was a hole heap of you ruined my streak, go die in a hole type stuff. So satisfying. Apparently they were on a 20 game win streak and were going for 30 straight.

[@carpetclimber4027]

Apparently the opponent thought the streak should be given, not won and never contemplated why it would be considered difficult.

[@ClaytonQ45]

It's okay to surrender, but to flip out like that is just immature. We've all lost before

[@niranjandeshpande4378]

Quinn Clayton actually no I haven’t bc I’ve only played one online match 😎

[@afriendlyrebel5709]

@@niranjandeshpande4378 Never lose, ever achieved one victory, one online battle, too scared to lose a match

[@niranjandeshpande4378]

A Friendly Rebel no I just got bored

[@xxmush5362]

Came here for historic tactics: "decrease the enemies micro"

[@ineednochannelyoutube5384]

The tactic relies on destroying a flanking force and simultaneously counter flanking. Micro is entirly a secondary benefit.

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

can still apply to real life, just that mirco is not really existent. But ambushing a small force from the enemy to expose their flanks is still plenty viable. And Micro still is somewhat transferable to the resources a general/commander may send to that flank.-though to a lesser degree than a game.

[@bentomoswall]

A general can only be placed in one area of the battlefield, and only well trained soldiers will know what to do without orders. Micro effectively becomes the amount of orders a commander can effectively issue.

[@LD-Orbs]

"Micro" could be consider a stand-in for priority or focus in the real world. If you can shift the enemy to prioritize what isn't essential, you can slip past him what's really important. And time and focus (at the top decision-maker level) are just as finite a resource as men and firepower. Still, an earlier commentator is correct: micro is just a secondary benefit. The joys of a good flank is the real meat of the action!

[@Sixshotz1337]

>video game tactics >"hurr durr real history!!!!"

[@CofeeBlack467]

Thank god we didn't have these games 300 years ago, otherwise we'd have like thousands of Napoleons to do away with

[@jmitterii2]

Those battles were larger. And in no way this coherent though. Some historian mentioned, you don't need to give them machines guns, if any of the armies of the 18th or 19th century had a decent CB radio, or walky-talky out come of battles would have been very different. And much more bloody.

[@yllbardh]

ever heard of chess game?

[@HDSME]

lol sounds easy

[@abad1510]

They mostly lost battle due to communication problems and command issue and betrayal

[@ubisons6161]

It's not as easy as you think

[@DoguiDougua]

I'd love to see a "Total War: Tactics" serie!

[@kingofzero100]

If you need some tactics you can recreate, here are some: Double Envelopment Oblique Order Hammer and Anvil Force Concentration Exploiting Terran and Weather Guerilla ( if possible,maybe some hit and run type armies) Rapid Dominance Flying Wedge Bull Horn Formation Armored Spearhead :: If you guys got any more,you can comment more below::

[@InvictaHistory]

Kingofzero100 Thanks for the list!

[@kingofzero100]

THFE Productions np

[@jamreal18]

What is oblique order?

[@kingofzero100]

jamreal18 Oblique Order is when you overwhelm one flank while holding the rest of your opponent's line. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblique_order

[@oddballsok]

in addition; the flying scissors, the double finger and the middle finger.

[@AudieHolland]

This would never work against a serious, experienced opponent. First thing I would think, whenever the enemy confronts me with a shifted line: huh, he's offering his right flank to me? Then I would start attacking his right line while keeping my main line in the original orientation. Then he has not other option to release his ambush force or he would have to fall back to re-order his line.

[@autolykos9822]

+AudieHolland My thoughts exactly. Not only would I probably expect that something is up once my opponent does something weird like tilting his battle line, using a forest as a fulcrum. The obvious reaction, even without a suspected trap, would always be to hit the flank that had to run the furthest and fastest, and is closest to my troops and furthest from his reserves. Once that flank starts to break, I can roll him up from there. The only thing that could deter me was if my opponent had more cavalry on that flank (or in reserve) than my entire army, plus some infantry with solid staying power. But that stuff gets expensive, so he can't have much left for the actual ambush, and something that would pass as a plausible battle line at second glance. The reason it still works is probably that a lot of people are somewhat inflexible in their planning, and expected two parallel battle lines crashing into each other. If that doesn't seem to happen, they try to make the situation fit what they had originally planned, no matter what.

[@AudieHolland]

Autolykos Argo Good point. There's a lot of incompetent commanders, past, present and future.

[@WilliamLawrence7]

that was my thought too. Concentrate fire on the exposed flank.

[@thispleasesthen.u.t.8334]

Sun Tzu: the art of the war Invicta: *THE ART OF TOTAL WAR*

[@ZeroTheHeroGOAT]

This is a typical example of why multiplayer sucks. Doesn't matter if it's football games, combat games or strategy games, people won't properly finish a match they're losing.

[@melikechoc0]

It's same with a real battle. People retreat when they're losing.

[@ZeroTheHeroGOAT]

Edgar Chang In real battle, they don't instantly disappear from the battlefield.

[@melikechoc0]

Well, do you want to take the time to chase down everyone that quits/retreat? I rather people quit and me points than having to fight it out.ZeroTheHero

[@ZeroTheHeroGOAT]

Edgar Chang Most people quit the second they feel it's going to be an uphill struggle to turn things around. In other words, the really memorable matches rarely happens. Doesn't matter if it's FIFA, PES or Total War. People are sour losers and it infests online gaming. Even MMO's.

[@XxYeshPlzxX]

My first online battle on attila has ruined my whole experience in online strategy, my opponent was commanding me what to do and said he wont participate if i don't do what he says, i did what he said and still caught his flank off guard and he quit straight away, only 5 minutes in and one move made and he quit, online strategy so shit now cant play anything without the other team leaving when they feel like they are losing, it's really just best to play with friends.

[@Blitzkrieg1012]

Make more of these

[@elvisboy11ek]

Yeah

[@mikefoxtrot1157]

+Elvis NL no make more of those awesome historical ones than spending time on basic tacits ,those who want can learn from somewhere else but i can't get those great historical vids anywhere else;p

[@Mustang94c]

I just use a left hook and encircle them but that's total war 2

[@guilhermesfk]

Ignore Mike Foxtrot. More tatics videos please

[@boriszec7256]

Blitzkrieg1012 ii

[@BrazilianPride22041]

Fantastic video as always! Idea though: Knowing you love history, maybe some good historical examples or applications of the tactics you are showing, just to give it more context and depth. I think TW players like thinking that they are employing real life historically grounded strategies and tactics, rather than utilizing a mechanic in the game to get the win.

[@TheAidiwashere]

YES! This is great, please keep doing these, longer vids would be great to if possible!

[@jackcash3362]

Excellent! I was hoping you would make some tactics videos. As usual this is awesome!

[@greatwhitenorth4421]

What they don't tell you is that the deciding factor in a total war battle is how well you can micromanage your cavalry

[@damainelogan8915]

Keep them coming, I like the way you are teaching it. It sticks in my mind better this way.

[@InvictaHistory]

Damaine Logan Awesome! I think showing it on paper and then in battle helps cement in the concept

[@Mohamed-hv2zo]

It’s kind of a gamble, it all depends on the opponent reaction. If the opponent decides to concentrate his forces to his left without tilting he would crush your forces and if you call your hidden cavalry and archers to help he would outflank you, but most of the time they would react just like your opponent did. Great tactics.

[@eyemuikai3062]

omg this video comes up in recommended too much. i already watched it twice and i still see it coming up!

[@jamessegar4115]

I didn't realise these videos existed until tonight! They are great, really interesting. I used to watch a TV show years ago which did this with real battles, keep 'em coming!

[@Submersed24]

those hidden troops literally have bright lights attached to them...how are they hidded?

[@adventureinc1568]

Submersed24 Enemy players cannot see hostile hidden units

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

You can see that this is a game tactic because IRL there are skirimishers and scouts and you can draw micro when there are many officers on the field. But flaking with hidden units itself is 100% realistic.

[@MadnessTW]

I think this is a great format. The slow, methodical approach is much more suitable for explaining your thought process than the usual focus on cinematic shots.

[@themjem5700]

PLEASE More tactics!!!

[@Igor-ug1uo]

I'm curious about your thoughts on an idea. Total War games give players an opportunity to use terrain to hide units, which is really cool. I think it would be even better if it was possible to hide units behind your lines depending on the formation. It would change the gameplay significantly, I think.

[@InvictaHistory]

Igor Arutiunian I think anything that can add more fog of war will bring with it a lot of tactical depth

[@hugoguerreiro1078]

Igor Arutiunian They could do that in realism mode, so even if it bothered some people they could just not play with it on.

[@robertaylor9218]

Hugo Guerreiro realism mode would be limited to commanders field of view and using a game board to move troops quickly

[@mattmcfadden5847]

This is Excellent! I hope to see lots of these types of videos,

[@TheAidiwashere]

Dude keep making these!

[@kingofzero100]

+TheAidiwashere Same,I hope he continues to make these :3

[@MartinTraXAA]

While the enemy can discover this by scouting, a mindgame that can help is to have the main force more in front of the hidden troops and off centre. When enemy approaches your main force will pull back to the rear and side past and well to the side of the hidden forces. The enemy will not be able to scout the ambush unless doing so very late as the main force would block it from getting too close to the ambush. By then you will still either put him off balance or if he reforms, pull back the ambush & reform as well.

[@CalebRyals]

If I see my opponent slanting his forces like that, I'm gonna shift my line in the opposite direction to focus fire on the flank he's slanting outward.

[@GhostRecon_PT]

Same 😂

[@muchaboutnothing3306]

Bad tactic; someone tried to use it on me once. I Had no idea there was an ambush (hadn't heard of this tactic before). But I took my right flank and pinned their main line down while I bore the full strength of my left flank into their exposed right flank; instead of wheeling to face them straight on. This caused a chain reaction of routing and despite springing their trap, by that time they were already on a slippery slope to defeat. This really does rely heavily on enemy incompetence for them to just ignore a glaringly exposed enemy right flank.

[@juancariasr7932]

This is actually a great way of explaining it. Also, I think sieges in Total war should be completely re-done so you can have the real life assaults to capture important positions or naval movements to cut off supply lines, the enemy doing a Sortie if they think they can win or as a desperate measure, morally hurting the enemy by doing stuff like having feasts in sight of their walls, or maybe even peasant food uprisings inside the fort, it would make them a lot more interesting, I mean, the entire Iliad is about a ten years siege.

[@kingofzero100]

YES! Thanks mate, loved that you started this. Im sure itll be very helpful for players, new or veteran

[@meguemil8542]

This is an awesome channel! I love this kind of examples. Hope you keep making videos like this

[@bryan1freeman]

Great work, was very interesting and keen for more of these

[@karlsanko8862]

Wow, thank you! This is so amazing to have as a new player! It was really helpful, the only thing I would change is to try and avoid night games for it so its easier to see it all happening.

[@InvictaHistory]

Karl Sanko It just so happened I tried this tactic during a night battle without oven thinking I would make a tutorial on it. Now that I know this will be a series, I'll be more careful about the time of day

[@iHunterKiller]

Awesome format, i would watch these all day long! Reminds me of that TV show, Time Commanders i think it was called, made with one of the earlier total war games. But this is arguably more entertaining and strategically educational. Love it. Between the Warhammer vids and stuff like this, im realizing that im visiting your channel more and more often. Keep up the good work!

[@InvictaHistory]

iHunterKiller Glad you are enjoying it. People keep suggesting new things for me to do in my videos so if you like what you see then you can thank some of the people who asked me to put these videos up : )

[@h0tie]

I really like these kinds of videos that explains strategy and letting the audience know it's how the victors win their game

[@KevinSterns]

At the moment your opponents resigned, it looked like they were actually ahead. Having killed 1 unit with little loss to themselves. Your cavalry charge in the center simply bounced, causing the total loss of the cav. This briefly disrupted the enemy archers, but they retained a full health bar. His two ambushed units were doomed, but not immediately. I'd even expect his cav to chew up a few of your handgun units before being overwhelmed. Meanwhile his main line of elites would put heavy pressure against equal numbers of inferior units.

[@musical_pumpkin1123]

This was pretty good THFE! I hope you bring up some more videos like this. I could use some pointers on battles and such,

[@InvictaHistory]

Daniel Brigham Glad you found it helpful : )

[@ifrit21st]

Please make a series like this for tactics. I would love to see a seperate one for ETW and R2TW in particular due to the more realsitc units.

[@williamhansson2582]

Really interesting tacticalvide. Intersting when you did it "teachermode" and then followed up with an examplebattle. Would love to see some more since I can use these kinds of tactics while playing TW myself. Great job THFE!

[@InvictaHistory]

William Hansson Thanks for the support. It's been great to hear that you guys enjoy this format

[@matthewkuchinski1769]

Very good plan. I have to agree that attacking the flank is very important, as it will allow you to distract the enemy and then to launch the real assault that will ultimately destroy his army.

[@Mazupah]

Great stuff! More of this. I was wondering how close enemy units have to be to notice my hidden troops. I rarely play online games but in singleplayer battles it feels like computer notices my hidden units before I can do anything.

[@InvictaHistory]

Mazupah It really depends on what unit you are trying to ambush since some types of troops benefit from better scouting traits and enhanced vision. Usually though they should be within your field of fire before they see you

[@groherzogtummapping867]

This was actually used in many battles, including, for example, the battle of Kircholm. When thw Swedish came close enough to the Polish-Lithuanian line, Tatars hidden near the Dźwina river attacked their back, effectively encirclin them between Tatar cavalry and the winged hussars. There were also cannons hidden there so they contributed too, I guess.

[@cale4331]

oh this was the first total war video of yours that i saw. i have been subscribed ever since. it just popped back up in my suggested lol.

[@W1TH0UT.REAS0N]

I really enjoyed this video. I hope you continue to make similar tactical videos in the future!

[@mikeseigle5560]

Tactic not unheard of in the middle ages. Most soldiers fought in level ground without obstacles. However once engaged lost the ability to maneuver. At that time hidden troops would charge out of woods by one of the flanks. Tired troops engaged on more than one side would be easy to roll up.

[@crazychameleon123]

On shogun 2 it could work great with tosa riflemen as they have great reload, with 150 range and can fire whilst hidden

[@InvictaHistory]

crazy7chameleon ouch... thinking of that makes me cry... that would be such a devastating ambush

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

It's not just Tosa Riflemen. All skirmishers in FOTS can fire while hidden. Using Jozai's Yugekitai is more advantageous since you can deploy them anywhere on the map.

[@georgemorley1029]

I use this a lot. Glad to see that it was a recognised tactic!

[@123stew]

at 7:14, dont archers and other shooting units normally have the option for skirmish mode, which means that they will automattically move away from an approaching enemy unit.

[@xXTotalDIsCordXx]

Makes you realize how important scouting is.

[@vatonage1599]

You could open the gap, rout the enemy unit that attempts to exploit it (not with your hidden troops), then retreat backwards. The enemy will likely advance, and if they don't head through the forested area, they can be flanked.

[@nathanhardjito6449]

Thanks. This is a basic tactic that not many can implement properly.

[@ArtanisOwns]

that was cool! i love playing with my opponent's attention. in pokemon it's good to make a double switch, go into a threat then go into the thing that counters it, your opponent sends out his check, and you have an advantageous position, enabling your sweeper a little bit more.. you see it everywhere, man. very important.

[@ChildOfAkatosh]

This was awesome...definitely would like to see more of these.

[@jawbelly9174]

Kind of reminds me of an intense battle I had on Attila. Was playing as the Burgundians, and had the scattershot elites hidden somewhat nearby, and engaged the enemy front line with a line of spears and warhounds. Used cavalry to bait away some of his troops so that my scattershot slingers could slip past through the woods and start to fire at his rear, decimating his archers, cav, then center. it was just clean up after. Burgundians scattershot is OP af.

[@HalofreakmasterPwn]

I like this format! Good length and demonstration! A bit longer would be nice just to see opponents actually lose due to the tactic, rather than back out early.

[@nshep13]

Was really hoping you would do a video like this. Keep them coming!

[@Speedyconnor18]

Holy shit I just used this tactic in my battle that I literally just had against somewhat superior forces and I managed to pull off a victory. Bless you man.

[@Donkeyearsa]

When i play games that permits the set up of ambushes i always set out very tiny highly moble units to set off the ambushes. Yes my scout units get wiped out to a man but i keep from getting larger units wiped out or heavily damaged. I really love it when i set off a trap that is strong losing a tiny unit and then pouncing with the unit that they tried to ambush in the first place. I normally turn the tables doing heavily damage to the ambushing unit with light damage to my own units. A lot of times that one engagement wins me the battle as i end up with overwhelming forces left on the field.

[@prussobavarianproductions]

A quote from Napoleon: Total War: "Take the initiative in battle, the enemy will be trying to deflect all of your moves that they can't make their own."

[@thegamephilosopher2214]

A good way to do this if your opponent kind of is more cautious, is to send the cavalry to harass the other flank to make the enemy think you'll attack that side, and the enemy will be stronger there. Then you can spring the trap easily. The wheeling,but with an extra detachment.

[@VigilantProvider]

Looks common sense at first, but you did an excellent job of expounding on the plan and gave great info. Earned my sub.

[@JaM-R2TR4]

for gunpowder units, you can use same tactics to make your artillery extremely effective - you place artillery on your flank, then shift the line so enemy matches yours, then open fire with own artillery so enemy takes extra damage due to oblique hits from artillery.... no need to bait the enemy at all... but of course, when you open fire with artillery, enemy cavalry will try to charge it, so keep own cavalry nearby so you can counter-charge them...

[@kd748]

This is awesome! But incomplete I think. I'd want this to be a part one of a series on this tactic. Part 2: How to counter it, what to do if countered and how to trick your opponent into thinking you're using this tactic. Part 3: Historical examples and why it works. Great video!

[@clayplayz6249]

This strategy is so simple yet reliable

[@kronus4915]

An idea to counter this tactic is instead of matching ur opponent when he shifts his line, is to move ur line to the side so that is centre ends up fighting his flank, this negates his ambush and potentially sets u up to flank him later in the battle

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Reminds me, both Julius Caesar and Gustavus Adolphus used infantry to ambush superior enemy cavalry forces, hence reversing the power balance among the cavalry forces on the field. Very neat little trick, and something I love doing in Shogun 2 with spear ashigaru (such a fantastic unit).

[@teun558]

Really looking forward to seeing more from this series!

[@tashumedi2332]

Best Explanation ever I have seen.... Gud work bro...

[@Autechltd]

I think CA should bring out more researchable formations and movement tactics like they did with Empire. It really changed how the game felt and made research feel more important. Much better than random % buffs imo.

[@Skykun1]

Interesting video as always Oakley!

[@l4unchp4dgaming38]

Spears, Ranged and Calvary will always work in a formation like this. As long as you have a hidden ranged unit, an ambush bait like this will work.

[@nhfalcon]

Yep enjoyed. Bring on the tactic vids. Maybe how to win with either inferior troops or against superior numbers!

[@RedBaronHill1]

Please do more of these. There was an old channel that did these but the guy that made them kinda disappeared, and since then I've been looking for videos like these. Looking for new tactics.

[@AirSnipers96]

I like the idea of a series like this.

[@Ryguu621]

Best medieval ii strategy is to somehow force your opponent to charge you and have two pikes in front, archers behind, one pike on each side and when they charge the center you pivot the pikes on the flanks to sandwich your opponent on both sides, I've used this many times and it always works. I usually force my opponent to charge by doing suicide cavalry charges to destroy his artillery or using my own artillery and they always take the bait if they haven't caught on to this trick.

[@alexfretwell5308]

Please do more of these, I found it super helpful :)

[@adiazoadcin5196]

Please make more of this in the future. Can't wait for more!

[@markhenley3097]

This only work in Empire and Napoleon. Any newer games and either of us have our morale gone before the hidden force can even do anything.

[@TheBonzobonzo]

Line battles don't work in total war warhammer very well, too many line breakers, spells and flying units make it pretty worthless maintaining formation

[@Fluxquark]

Michael Rosen Tactics in general are worthless in TW:WH, just snipe lords and spam spells

[@CataciousAmogusevic]

Warhammer is shit

[@keepwomenbusy]

This tactic is just not adapted to warhammer context, units have different properties so it should get different tactics, wayyyy different.

[@kapitanbeuteltier5889]

@@Fluxquark you've never really played WarhammerTW multiplayer haven't you?

[@l4unchp4dgaming38]

Honestly, diverting attention and micro is one of the key things you gotta do in an RTS. This tactic destroys the lesser RTS player.

[@LibertyPanacea]

Yes! More Tactics videos, this is excellent.

[@CommanderBLY77]

Pretty cool idea with the tactic videos. I really was looking for something like that on your channel after you did it with the roman tactic. But it would be cooler if you could demonstrate these things in daylight battles not night battles. Nice video keep it up!

[@shadowdace7018]

Will you ever do videos like this again? This was great!!!

[@cody4999]

A fairly early counter they could make you to angling your line would be to move their own troops to the side in order to form a T shape. Perhaps just retreating and keeping the same formation would be the best continuation so you still have those troops hidden?

[@yoyostoons6242]

Now we're all professional generals.

[@belagado8678]

Very well thought strategy, I really like it. Hope to see more of these videos in the future! ;)

[@waynesc58]

Definitely liked this idea you show more of these tactics

[@M0rmagil]

Excellent bit of tactical advice. 🙂

[@HadrianSilver]

Excellent foundation video! Going to try this out.

[@Pr0SV1p3r]

This is a pretty cool video. You should do more of these. I would show hit run tacs next. A lot of people have trouble using units like horse archers effectively. Hit and run tactics are pretty useful if used right.

[@StoneyFry]

This was so good! Hope there's more.

[@Thesocraticbreed]

I use columns since they are faster into place. Also, I can shift into a full scale well protected and perfectly in place battle-line at will.

[@nicolasfantin4054]

Great idea!! please bring more of this tactics to the channel!!

[@kcluu9390]

Fundamentals of battle is the same as wrestling takedowns. 1. Stance 2. Set up 3. Penetration 4. Execution 5. Exploitation

[@theDarkness558]

You came a long way my friend

[@AljazGustincic]

Love this kind of videos, keep em coming! Maybe show strategies for Rome II and Atilla

[@Thesocraticbreed]

Also, this tactic was first thought of by Maurice in the Strategikon. Its not far away from medieval warfare reality,but with gunpowder, it would still work.

[@sebastianlopez2971]

one thing that'll be good for you guys to know is that tactics and strategies are a different thing a tactic is what you apply in battle or any combat situation, a strategy is something more complex is a wider concept it involves more than just combat a strategy is what you do to win an ENTIRE war, and well there is also something called operational art which is the one stuck in the middle that's about what you would plan for a military campaign. ( just thought you'd like to know that :)

[@sebastianlopez2971]

yes I'm aware I'm a year latr

[@TheJanowar]

Your opponent will move his troops to your right and block your line. After that you will be in disadvantage. His cav should scout flanks looking for ambush and main army just charge you in front. Your tactic works only vs sandbox noobs. Thx for a video! It's really interesting how you make your way in total war.