Matrix Games Forums

I've just played as the Brits vs. the Colonial AI in the 1775 scenario under 1.12a. It was certainly a playable game, and I only lost by a few hundred points. However, as the Brits I found it impossible to successfully seige either NY or Philli.

Since the Brits did this historically, I think the fleet vs. fort bombardment algorithm need to be readjusted; bombardments seem to be very lopsided against the Brit fleet(s).

Has anyone taken these forts under v1.12a?

I wouldn't recommend a navy bombarding any city with a garrison including artillery. Just blockade the harbor of the city. If they are also sieged from land, the troops will run out of supplies fairly quickly unless they have lots of supply wagons. If enough supply wagons are available, a garrison can hold out till winter when you start taking too many harsh weather losses and have to break off the siege.

Bring along a lot of artillery and siege expert leaders with your army to make the process a bit easier.

That sounds like good advice, but I have noticed that the AI can "rotate" its armies into seiged cities even if they are surrounded by my forces. Sometimes these relief colums engage my units, and I end up w/captured arty and (depleted) wagons, but new units still manage to get inside the fort.

Do you have your siege forces in an aggresive (i.e. orange or red) posture?

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk
Do you have your siege forces in an aggresive (i.e. orange or red) posture?

They usually revert to orange posture on their own, but if I catch it, I put them back on the defensive, otherwise they won't benefit from the terrain.

But should I keep them at aggressive posture during a seige despite the terrain penalties? Will that stop other units from relieving those units inside the fort?

Yes.  If you're in an offensive posture enemy units (except irregulars and cavalry) won't be able to get in or out.  The irregulars and cavalry sometimes will slip through.

OK, when seiging a city/fort:

- set your unit posture to orange (red if a breach is made?)
- don't trade shots ship to shore, just blockade port cities
- don't hang around in the winter, but return in the spring

Did I miss anything?

Sounds good to me. Even if a breach is made it doesn't necessarily follow that you have to assault it (except Louisberg in the F&I campaign).

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

OK, when seiging a city/fort:

- set your unit posture to orange (red if a breach is made?)
- don't trade shots ship to shore, just blockade port cities
- don't hang around in the winter, but return in the spring

Did I miss anything?

If you have enough supply, you can beseige through winter.

In Montcalms French and Indian war scenario, the Brits have a lot of supply. I have moved empty supply wagons out of army to resupply in a depot or city while bringing in new full supply wagons to maintain a seige. A full supply wagon will absorb harsh weather hits on your troops. So the supply goes fast but if you have enough, you can maintain a siege through winter.

Although it is a rare situation to have that much supply.

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

OK, when seiging a city/fort:

- set your unit posture to orange (red if a breach is made?)
- don't trade shots ship to shore, just blockade port cities
- don't hang around in the winter, but return in the spring

Did I miss anything?

Also it is OK to bombard a city if they don't have shore batteries. Shore batteries will inflict serious losses on your navy everytime in an artillery duel. That is a contest you do not want to risk. Ships take a long time to repair if they aren't sunk outright by shore batteries.

But if a city doesn't have shore batteries and you aren't expecting enemy fleets to show up anytime in the near future, bombard enemy cities. It keeps the crews happy.

I took all of your advice and finally captured NY by seige as the Brits in 1778; thanks to everyone!

I'm working on taking Philly, Pitts and Wyoming, but the French should soon arrive: any suggestions? I think I'll just let them have Newport, because I can never hold it for long against their entire fleet/army.