Otho faction in the 4 Emperors Scenaro

[Jagger2013]

Any hints on how to play the Otho faction in the 4 emperor's scenario. I have played the Vitellius and Vespasians sides and even though tough, I can win against the AI. Playing the Otho faction, I am getting hammered. It is June of the second year and I might, maybe, survive the game but I am not going to win. The Vitellius faction is advancing relentlously and my forces are not putting up much of a fight. The Vespasians are starting to advance as well from the Moesa regions. I still have two decent armies left defending mainland Italy but I suspect, my only real hope is that the extensive revolt and invasions into Gaul might cause the collapse of the Vitellius faction.

So anyone successful with the Otho faction? Any good strategic or tactical hints outside of hoping Macer joins Otho?

PS: Overall, I have been pretty well impressed by the AI play. Much better than I remembered from BOA and AACW. Nice job, AGEOD!

[Narwhal]

I remember that, in the Beta, and handful of force (one legion each + some supportive) could hold the passes in the Alps forever.

That may free some good forces to bug Vespasian before he ends his own local issue.

I still believe the WiA 2 AI is better

[leftguard]

The Otho faction was the only one I couldn't get some form of victory in - although I limited the damage to a minor defeat, and still held Rome by the end of scenario (which I considered some kind of victory at least).

[Jagger2013]

<Q>handful of force (one legion each + some supportive) could hold the passes in the Alps forever.</Q>

I played a mobile defense instead of trying to block the passes. I wasn't sure how to keep units alive up in those passes during harsh weather. I might have to try that defense. Although the Vitellians went east around the Alps until late in the game and then they poured over the passes.

<Q> still held Rome by the end of scenario (which I considered some kind of victory at least). </Q>

That is exactly how I am looking at it right now.

[Boomer]

I've had the same results. I think it's a good sign that the scenario devs did a good job of their research. In historical terms, Otho was in a bad place, similar to the situation Julianus had to deal with in the 5 emperors scenario. After the Galba assassination, there wasn't much for Otho to use on hand to throw back the onslaught of Vitellius and Vespasian. Even using non-historical recruitment, it's still a tough go with Otho. My best so far was a minor loss in points that amounted to a draw since I still held Rome and most of Italy.

Delay and harass seem to be the best options. Going head to head with either Vitellius or Vespasian's veteran legions is pretty much suicide.

[Jagger2013]

Delay and harass is pretty much what I did. Although too often my delay and harass would turn into major battles followed by major defeats as I couldn't get away fast enough. And I have to take a stand when it comes to Rome. If Rome falls, it is lights out for Otho.

[PJJ]

If you hold Rome and Italy at the end of the game as Otho, then you have won, no matter what the victory screen tells you. I think that mechanism doesn't really work as it should in AJE.

Otho is a poor commander, as are most of his generals. There's only one very capable commander on Otho's side, Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, the victor of the Boudicca rebellion in Britain. I was able to win battles against Vitellius by having him as the main commander and taking advantage of the terrain in Northern Italy. There are plenty of rivers there that can make life hard for the attacker, and legions in defense do get very nice bonuses. This strategy was enough to keep Vitellius at bay in Italy. There was nothing I could do but delay his advance in other areas. Finally, the rebellion in Batavia and Gaul was enough to ruin Vitellius's position as the scenario progressed.

If you're lucky, Vespasian will become entangled in the east against the Jews and Parthians long enough that he won't be able to serioualy threaten Italy. And if you're even luckier, you'll get Macer on your side too.

EDIT: Parthians, not Persians.

[Jagger2013]

I finished up last night and ended up with a minor 2nd place defeat. I held Rome but most of northern Italy was lost and raids were appearing along the Peninsula.

Biggest lesson learned from playing the 4Emperors scenario: Be very careful about moving in bad weather if any sort of major combat is possible. Cohesion really drops fast when moving in bad weather.