can someone clarify the tatical aspects of the game?

[mankind117]

Hi,
I am thinking about buying the game, but I was wondering about the tatical aspects. I thought I read that the tactical battles were on the divisional level? What is the smallest size unit that can actually be moved on the tatical map? Is the level of detail anywhere at all close to the the old Talonsoft napoleonic games if anyone is aware of those? I guess I really want to know what is the level of detail? Are the tatical battles so crude that they aren't worth playing or are they detailed enough that playing them can actually be worthwhile, especially if you are outnumbered and only some clever ingenuity could save the day?
Thanks

[sol_invictus]

You can divide Divisions into Brigades; this would be the lowest level tactical unit. The tactical battles are fairly detailed for a Grand Strategy game, which is how I categorize CoG. You have Line, Column, and Square formations with many Upgrades to the units that affect unit performance. There are Skirmishers that remain attached to the parent Division. Fatigue, FoW, Smoke, Supply, Morale, Leadership, and Weather are all incorporated.

I really like the tactical battles and would always play them out instead of auto or quick resolving them. The Talonsoft battles were more detailed; but not by a huge amount; but you would expect that from a purely tactical engine.

[munited18]

Well, I recommend you buy the game![;)]
I am aware of the Talonsoft games, and the detail here is not to that degree. The basic unit is the division, with leaders attached, and supply wagons present as well(much like talonsoft). However, I think you need to understand that the visual detail is not the drawing point of the Tactical battles. It is much more the strategy involved at the World level, and then using all that hard work at the tactical level.
Don't get me wrong I love games Rome:TW with awesom graphics, etc. This game just goes beyond that, as far as overall strategy and economics. This game really is first class.

[ahauschild]

On a tactical level you have two options.

Quick Combat:

Her you have several zones where you place your units across a broad front. Zones are for example charge, with extra attack but less defense, Attack for regular defense and defend for less attack and more defense. Placing vunerable troops behind stronger ones and such gives some tactical value.

Detailed Combat:

Your Divisions from your Army and Corps are placed randomly onto the map in general clusters. Initiative determinds who moves first then.

You will then move your divisions around the battlefield and initiate combat. The tactical challenges are there. For instance setting up artillery in line formation (deployed) and then forcing enemy units to go into square to blow them away is a valid tactic. Your cavalry against disordered units is devestating in general, but often they will disorder in the process and then unless they have high moral will be useless for the rest of the battle. Capturing the enemy supply trains is also critical, as it will eventualy force them to fight with reduced strength as they cannot resuply their units. Once you route enough of their units a overall route will grab them, forcing all of their infantry and artillery to auto route, and only their cavalry protecting their retreat.

You can also capture enemy artillery units for permanent use later.

For the Naval part there is only quick combat, but you do have at least some options, not like in Total War where navy units are just pretty strengh icons on the map.

Overall I find it not badly done, though I do wonder at the delay you get in moving the units at times, considering the low graphical nature of the display. This is especialy apperant when you have fog or rain on the field.

[Mr. Z]

Don't forget you can adjust the display speed using the Delay bar at the bottom of the detailed combat map.

[ahauschild]

Is that what that thing is for, was wondering. Will check it out.