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I don't think that there is much doubt that strategy games offer the most satisfying form of PC gaming available. Especially in multiplayer.
Other forms of game, of course, offer you multiplayer aspects, where you can "prove yourself" against friends, foes, or random people on the internet, but it is strategy games that really stand out as a test of person v person skill, strategy, intelligence and determination.
Becoming a strategy wizard, however, is far more difficult to achieve than becoming a Tekken 3 wizard. The possibilities are far less restricted, meaning the variables and possibilities are effectively endless. Now, experience is a good teacher, and playing strategy games until your eyes hurt will certainly get you on the road to success. However, a little help never hurt anyone, so here are a few hints on how to become a tactical genius.
Keystones for strategic success:
1- Know your tech tree
=======================
No game has pointed this out more, in my opinion, than Blizzard's War/StarCraft series. Multiplayer, a key point of victory is knowing which buildings to make, when and where, and which researches to do. The decisions you make here can win or lose you the game. You have to know what you're doing, because if you don't, and your opponent does, you've already lost.
2- Know your statistics
=======================
Obvious really. Be it unit stats for RTS games, or attack/defence bonuses for RPGs, you have to know it all if your to take tactical advantage of anythng. Using StarCraft as an example, you need to know which units can counter which, their strengths, and especially their weaknesses. SC is a prime example here, since it's so well balanced, no one unit is likely to win you every game, since they all have key weaknesses. Splash damage, speed, attack rate, power, shields, hit points, ability (or lack thereof) to attack ground/air based units, abilities, spells all come into the equation. Good use of the different units will always give an advantage.
3- Know your terrain
=====================
The Art of War lays down a number of principles on using terrain to both your advantage, and the enemy's disadvantage. No game pays more attention to these principles than Shogun. Hills, mountains, trees, river crossings, and even weather. Using these against your enemy, or knowing how to prevent your enemy using them against you is a key skill. Force your opponent to cross a mountain range in heavy rain, only to face you in an uphill battle, and you'll be facing fatigued troops at less than half their effective ability. Conversely, avoid attacking in bad weather, and circumvent bad terrain to lay turn your opponents ambush against him.
Battles have to fought somewhere, make sure you are the one who dictates where. Deciding where and when a battles is fought is the first step to victory.
4- Know your formations
========================
As we know, a good unit mix is essential, but throwing those units into the fray without due care can still lead to heavy defeats. Knowing which units to place where, based on what you already know about unit stats and terrain can gain you great advantages. Ranged units to the rear, with strong defensive units infront of them as simple example is a good tactic. March at the enemy who can only hit your front line, and pound them with your ranged units while the defensive units soak up the damage. Having healing units, or a second line of defensive units to switch to only ads to this tactics effectiveness. Having the right units, in the right terrain, set in the right places, and you're ready for battle.
5- Know when to run
====================
Even using all your skill, it's not necessarilly possible to win every encounter. It's often best to pull your units out, so that they can be used more effectively elsewhere, at a later time. That said, sometimes it is worth sacrificing some units to slow an advance, or act as an offensive feint, or to kill off key enemy units. To this end, it is best to be able to concentrate on 2 or more battles at once. Knowing if you will win or lose is one thing, but keeping mind of your overall objectives, and knowing how vital each of your units are is essential knowledge.
6- Know your enemy
===================
Having an extensive knowledge of tactics is great to give you an advantage in any situation. However, you can plan better, prepare better, and build better if you know your opponent. If you know, for example, what his prefered method of attack is, you can prepare defences directly capable of repelling such an assault. If you know how he prefers to defend his base, you can tailor your attacking force to take out the defences with minimal losses. Any knowledge you have is invaluable. Does he like double edged assaults? Does he prefer spell casting units? Does he like swift, powerful attacking, or slow, effective siege tactics? The more you know, the better you can prepare. This manner of thinking is employed by every decent military in the known world.
Go now. Study these teachings, and I'll see you on Battle.net to test you out :P
IB
Other forms of game, of course, offer you multiplayer aspects, where you can "prove yourself" against friends, foes, or random people on the internet, but it is strategy games that really stand out as a test of person v person skill, strategy, intelligence and determination.
Becoming a strategy wizard, however, is far more difficult to achieve than becoming a Tekken 3 wizard. The possibilities are far less restricted, meaning the variables and possibilities are effectively endless. Now, experience is a good teacher, and playing strategy games until your eyes hurt will certainly get you on the road to success. However, a little help never hurt anyone, so here are a few hints on how to become a tactical genius.
Keystones for strategic success:
1- Know your tech tree
=======================
No game has pointed this out more, in my opinion, than Blizzard's War/StarCraft series. Multiplayer, a key point of victory is knowing which buildings to make, when and where, and which researches to do. The decisions you make here can win or lose you the game. You have to know what you're doing, because if you don't, and your opponent does, you've already lost.
2- Know your statistics
=======================
Obvious really. Be it unit stats for RTS games, or attack/defence bonuses for RPGs, you have to know it all if your to take tactical advantage of anythng. Using StarCraft as an example, you need to know which units can counter which, their strengths, and especially their weaknesses. SC is a prime example here, since it's so well balanced, no one unit is likely to win you every game, since they all have key weaknesses. Splash damage, speed, attack rate, power, shields, hit points, ability (or lack thereof) to attack ground/air based units, abilities, spells all come into the equation. Good use of the different units will always give an advantage.
3- Know your terrain
=====================
The Art of War lays down a number of principles on using terrain to both your advantage, and the enemy's disadvantage. No game pays more attention to these principles than Shogun. Hills, mountains, trees, river crossings, and even weather. Using these against your enemy, or knowing how to prevent your enemy using them against you is a key skill. Force your opponent to cross a mountain range in heavy rain, only to face you in an uphill battle, and you'll be facing fatigued troops at less than half their effective ability. Conversely, avoid attacking in bad weather, and circumvent bad terrain to lay turn your opponents ambush against him.
Battles have to fought somewhere, make sure you are the one who dictates where. Deciding where and when a battles is fought is the first step to victory.
4- Know your formations
========================
As we know, a good unit mix is essential, but throwing those units into the fray without due care can still lead to heavy defeats. Knowing which units to place where, based on what you already know about unit stats and terrain can gain you great advantages. Ranged units to the rear, with strong defensive units infront of them as simple example is a good tactic. March at the enemy who can only hit your front line, and pound them with your ranged units while the defensive units soak up the damage. Having healing units, or a second line of defensive units to switch to only ads to this tactics effectiveness. Having the right units, in the right terrain, set in the right places, and you're ready for battle.
5- Know when to run
====================
Even using all your skill, it's not necessarilly possible to win every encounter. It's often best to pull your units out, so that they can be used more effectively elsewhere, at a later time. That said, sometimes it is worth sacrificing some units to slow an advance, or act as an offensive feint, or to kill off key enemy units. To this end, it is best to be able to concentrate on 2 or more battles at once. Knowing if you will win or lose is one thing, but keeping mind of your overall objectives, and knowing how vital each of your units are is essential knowledge.
6- Know your enemy
===================
Having an extensive knowledge of tactics is great to give you an advantage in any situation. However, you can plan better, prepare better, and build better if you know your opponent. If you know, for example, what his prefered method of attack is, you can prepare defences directly capable of repelling such an assault. If you know how he prefers to defend his base, you can tailor your attacking force to take out the defences with minimal losses. Any knowledge you have is invaluable. Does he like double edged assaults? Does he prefer spell casting units? Does he like swift, powerful attacking, or slow, effective siege tactics? The more you know, the better you can prepare. This manner of thinking is employed by every decent military in the known world.
Go now. Study these teachings, and I'll see you on Battle.net to test you out :P
IB
Page:
Indeed, offensive feints are one of the greatest strategies. The better a player you are, the more dangerous you can be when using them. But it's not always a case of sending a few units one way, and your main attacking force coming from another.
I've always loved attacking with a large force at a base's edge, only to be sneaking in a few strategic units capable of doing a lot of damage in some other route. It's all about making the feint look real. Hurling a huge number of units in is always going to be taken seriously, and that's always a good point to take advantage of.
I've always loved attacking with a large force at a base's edge, only to be sneaking in a few strategic units capable of doing a lot of damage in some other route. It's all about making the feint look real. Hurling a huge number of units in is always going to be taken seriously, and that's always a good point to take advantage of.
I usually play against my brother on AOE 2. He always uses the Persians and makes use of their special unit, the war elephant. To defend against him I need a lot of walls and a lot of castles, but I have pretty much sussed his methods by now. He's only beaten me once. ;)
Also you mentioned offensive feints. I use these a lot as they work extremely well if implemented correctly. I usually take a small group of tough units, preferably elephants into the main entrance of my enemies base, and while he brings all his units out to fight against these, my main army is sneaking in from the opposite end through a small hole I have made in the woods.
Good post IB, we needed something like that in the PC gaming forum. :~)
Also you mentioned offensive feints. I use these a lot as they work extremely well if implemented correctly. I usually take a small group of tough units, preferably elephants into the main entrance of my enemies base, and while he brings all his units out to fight against these, my main army is sneaking in from the opposite end through a small hole I have made in the woods.
Good post IB, we needed something like that in the PC gaming forum. :~)
I don't think that there is much doubt that strategy games offer the most satisfying form of PC gaming available. Especially in multiplayer.
Other forms of game, of course, offer you multiplayer aspects, where you can "prove yourself" against friends, foes, or random people on the internet, but it is strategy games that really stand out as a test of person v person skill, strategy, intelligence and determination.
Becoming a strategy wizard, however, is far more difficult to achieve than becoming a Tekken 3 wizard. The possibilities are far less restricted, meaning the variables and possibilities are effectively endless. Now, experience is a good teacher, and playing strategy games until your eyes hurt will certainly get you on the road to success. However, a little help never hurt anyone, so here are a few hints on how to become a tactical genius.
Keystones for strategic success:
1- Know your tech tree
=======================
No game has pointed this out more, in my opinion, than Blizzard's War/StarCraft series. Multiplayer, a key point of victory is knowing which buildings to make, when and where, and which researches to do. The decisions you make here can win or lose you the game. You have to know what you're doing, because if you don't, and your opponent does, you've already lost.
2- Know your statistics
=======================
Obvious really. Be it unit stats for RTS games, or attack/defence bonuses for RPGs, you have to know it all if your to take tactical advantage of anythng. Using StarCraft as an example, you need to know which units can counter which, their strengths, and especially their weaknesses. SC is a prime example here, since it's so well balanced, no one unit is likely to win you every game, since they all have key weaknesses. Splash damage, speed, attack rate, power, shields, hit points, ability (or lack thereof) to attack ground/air based units, abilities, spells all come into the equation. Good use of the different units will always give an advantage.
3- Know your terrain
=====================
The Art of War lays down a number of principles on using terrain to both your advantage, and the enemy's disadvantage. No game pays more attention to these principles than Shogun. Hills, mountains, trees, river crossings, and even weather. Using these against your enemy, or knowing how to prevent your enemy using them against you is a key skill. Force your opponent to cross a mountain range in heavy rain, only to face you in an uphill battle, and you'll be facing fatigued troops at less than half their effective ability. Conversely, avoid attacking in bad weather, and circumvent bad terrain to lay turn your opponents ambush against him.
Battles have to fought somewhere, make sure you are the one who dictates where. Deciding where and when a battles is fought is the first step to victory.
4- Know your formations
========================
As we know, a good unit mix is essential, but throwing those units into the fray without due care can still lead to heavy defeats. Knowing which units to place where, based on what you already know about unit stats and terrain can gain you great advantages. Ranged units to the rear, with strong defensive units infront of them as simple example is a good tactic. March at the enemy who can only hit your front line, and pound them with your ranged units while the defensive units soak up the damage. Having healing units, or a second line of defensive units to switch to only ads to this tactics effectiveness. Having the right units, in the right terrain, set in the right places, and you're ready for battle.
5- Know when to run
====================
Even using all your skill, it's not necessarilly possible to win every encounter. It's often best to pull your units out, so that they can be used more effectively elsewhere, at a later time. That said, sometimes it is worth sacrificing some units to slow an advance, or act as an offensive feint, or to kill off key enemy units. To this end, it is best to be able to concentrate on 2 or more battles at once. Knowing if you will win or lose is one thing, but keeping mind of your overall objectives, and knowing how vital each of your units are is essential knowledge.
6- Know your enemy
===================
Having an extensive knowledge of tactics is great to give you an advantage in any situation. However, you can plan better, prepare better, and build better if you know your opponent. If you know, for example, what his prefered method of attack is, you can prepare defences directly capable of repelling such an assault. If you know how he prefers to defend his base, you can tailor your attacking force to take out the defences with minimal losses. Any knowledge you have is invaluable. Does he like double edged assaults? Does he prefer spell casting units? Does he like swift, powerful attacking, or slow, effective siege tactics? The more you know, the better you can prepare. This manner of thinking is employed by every decent military in the known world.
Go now. Study these teachings, and I'll see you on Battle.net to test you out :P
IB
Other forms of game, of course, offer you multiplayer aspects, where you can "prove yourself" against friends, foes, or random people on the internet, but it is strategy games that really stand out as a test of person v person skill, strategy, intelligence and determination.
Becoming a strategy wizard, however, is far more difficult to achieve than becoming a Tekken 3 wizard. The possibilities are far less restricted, meaning the variables and possibilities are effectively endless. Now, experience is a good teacher, and playing strategy games until your eyes hurt will certainly get you on the road to success. However, a little help never hurt anyone, so here are a few hints on how to become a tactical genius.
Keystones for strategic success:
1- Know your tech tree
=======================
No game has pointed this out more, in my opinion, than Blizzard's War/StarCraft series. Multiplayer, a key point of victory is knowing which buildings to make, when and where, and which researches to do. The decisions you make here can win or lose you the game. You have to know what you're doing, because if you don't, and your opponent does, you've already lost.
2- Know your statistics
=======================
Obvious really. Be it unit stats for RTS games, or attack/defence bonuses for RPGs, you have to know it all if your to take tactical advantage of anythng. Using StarCraft as an example, you need to know which units can counter which, their strengths, and especially their weaknesses. SC is a prime example here, since it's so well balanced, no one unit is likely to win you every game, since they all have key weaknesses. Splash damage, speed, attack rate, power, shields, hit points, ability (or lack thereof) to attack ground/air based units, abilities, spells all come into the equation. Good use of the different units will always give an advantage.
3- Know your terrain
=====================
The Art of War lays down a number of principles on using terrain to both your advantage, and the enemy's disadvantage. No game pays more attention to these principles than Shogun. Hills, mountains, trees, river crossings, and even weather. Using these against your enemy, or knowing how to prevent your enemy using them against you is a key skill. Force your opponent to cross a mountain range in heavy rain, only to face you in an uphill battle, and you'll be facing fatigued troops at less than half their effective ability. Conversely, avoid attacking in bad weather, and circumvent bad terrain to lay turn your opponents ambush against him.
Battles have to fought somewhere, make sure you are the one who dictates where. Deciding where and when a battles is fought is the first step to victory.
4- Know your formations
========================
As we know, a good unit mix is essential, but throwing those units into the fray without due care can still lead to heavy defeats. Knowing which units to place where, based on what you already know about unit stats and terrain can gain you great advantages. Ranged units to the rear, with strong defensive units infront of them as simple example is a good tactic. March at the enemy who can only hit your front line, and pound them with your ranged units while the defensive units soak up the damage. Having healing units, or a second line of defensive units to switch to only ads to this tactics effectiveness. Having the right units, in the right terrain, set in the right places, and you're ready for battle.
5- Know when to run
====================
Even using all your skill, it's not necessarilly possible to win every encounter. It's often best to pull your units out, so that they can be used more effectively elsewhere, at a later time. That said, sometimes it is worth sacrificing some units to slow an advance, or act as an offensive feint, or to kill off key enemy units. To this end, it is best to be able to concentrate on 2 or more battles at once. Knowing if you will win or lose is one thing, but keeping mind of your overall objectives, and knowing how vital each of your units are is essential knowledge.
6- Know your enemy
===================
Having an extensive knowledge of tactics is great to give you an advantage in any situation. However, you can plan better, prepare better, and build better if you know your opponent. If you know, for example, what his prefered method of attack is, you can prepare defences directly capable of repelling such an assault. If you know how he prefers to defend his base, you can tailor your attacking force to take out the defences with minimal losses. Any knowledge you have is invaluable. Does he like double edged assaults? Does he prefer spell casting units? Does he like swift, powerful attacking, or slow, effective siege tactics? The more you know, the better you can prepare. This manner of thinking is employed by every decent military in the known world.
Go now. Study these teachings, and I'll see you on Battle.net to test you out :P
IB
Page: