Trying to learn the game by playing FoTN need help

[HidekiTojo]

I don't get it, I tried to reorganize my forces so no command penalties and used aerial bombardment decisions wait till generals are activated, but still I do not win any battles whatsoever.

It's not just this game its all AGE engine games, I can never win battles and make any progress and it's so infuriating not being able to prosecute a war. I know the interface and commands where everything is located.....

Nationalist forces are supposed to be superior in this scenario for example, whatever the game is I play the side that's got the advantage and still I cannot make any progress.

It's really bad in this game.

I would like some help with this, and also some help in what overall grand strategy both sides should utilize in both Fall of The North and The Spanish Civil War.

thanks guys

[HidekiTojo]

Usually I at least have good knowledge of the war in question but in this game im at a disadvantage bc idk much about the scw. There's a 1,000 page book im reading to rectify that however.

[HidekiTojo]

nobody?

[Leibst]

Hi HidekiTojo,

I suggest you to read carefully tha manual if you hadn't.
In FotN aas Nationalist i would try to attack towards Bilbao in Turn 2 or 3 with as much force as you can avoiding command penalties. It is really important to have troops rested and with supplies. Put in command the best Leader you have.
This should be enough to change your luck

[Kensai]

I just finished FotN in less than 5 turns by following Leibstandarte's advice and taking Bilbao. If you manage to overwhelm the defenders (being lucky in having active Generals and the AI not stopping me early on) and you can take Bilbao and get the victory screen. Honestly I was surprised I had already won; I thought I had to conquer the other objective cities as well. Perhaps it was a NM thing.

Obviously do NOT attempt to assault Bilbao without first besieging it or having enough artillery.

Can't wait to start a grand campaign!

[Taillebois]

Well I bought it today because I often visit Spain and I've read Beevor's book, and to support a one man effort, and because it's a third off this week.

I've got a lot of AGEOD games and I'm rubbish at all of them. I tried the FOTN scenario 3 times, once as Republicans all the way through and got a minor loss; and twice as Nationalists playing about ten turns trying to replicate Kensai's 5 turn win. Well I couldn't, which shows I'm rubbish and don't have the patience for micro management.

I like it for the atmosphere and looks - as with most AGEOD games. I can now play Spanish based games in AJE, NCP, and Espana. If I were really keen I suppose I should have loaded it in Spanish.

A couple of points: In FOTN the same general's picture appears in several places, and the music seems a bit limited. And a couple of things in the tutorial seemed a bit different from the text.

AND, now I've just read Kensai's post above this again as I write and I see he says "do NOT attempt to assault Bilbao without first besieging it.." Well, so much for my generalship. And my ability to follow advice.

Buenos noches. Oh, and I'm most of the way through a bottle of Spanish wine which always makes me send pixel troops on foolish errands.

[deguerra]

glad to hear you're enjoying it, I think Leibstandarte created something quite special.

For what it's worth, I'm rubbish at all these games too, and I even have the patience for micromanagement :P

[vaalen]

I am pretty good at winning battles in Ageod games. To me, there are several key steps.
1. Make sure your units are well supplied, whatever you do. This will often require building depots and taking what ever steps are necessary to keep the supply flowing

2. Never move troops into battle that have less than full cohesion. If moving into a battle will cause your troops to lose substantial cohesion, you will almost certainly lose.

3. Make sure all your troops are fully commanded.

4. Do not move every day of a turn. I try to move no more than half the days, so my troops have some time to rest and recover.

5. Try to get the AI to attack you when possible, preferably when you are in good defensive terrain.The AI will often attack when their cohesion is down, and your troops will have some rest.

6. Keep artillery with your main stacks, and never storm a fortress that has not been weakened, or is weak to begin with.

7 . Keep supporting troops in march to the guns range.

8. Keep your best leaders in command of your strongest stacks, and give them supporting leaders, preferably with abilities that can help the whole stack.

9. Make sure to attach subordinate leaders to good units, which can greatly increase the combat power of the unit

10. protect your supply lines.

It is not always possible to follow these rules completely, but I use them as guidelines, and I usually win the battles, though not always.

[Durk]

Vaalen and Leibstandarte have really excellent advice, but all players should know that historical play is seriously rewarded in both play against AI and pbem. This may not be good advice to those who have no idea of Franco's plan and the Republican strengths, but find a good book and follow it.
HidekiTojo, if you want the short answer to your request without reading the history, As the Nationalists, divide and conquer: as the Republicans, unite and conquer. Madrid is the key, but isolating it from other Republican areas is the actual key to success.