Part 6

Learn essential pre-battle and during-battle tactics for Total War: Three Kingdoms. Master flanking, missile fire, and siege strategies to dominate the battlefield.

This section provides a guide to battle tactics in Total War: Three Kingdoms, covering pre-battle setup and in-battle maneuvers. It emphasizes adapting strategies based on terrain, army composition, and whether you are attacking or defending.

Pre-Battle Setup:

Your pre-battle setup depends on your role (attacker, defender, besieger, besieged) and the terrain. For attackers, positioning close to the enemy is key, ensuring missile and cavalry units are supported. Defenders should utilize high ground, especially for missile units, and position cavalry for flanking or targeting enemy missile units. For siege attacks, keep most units back from enemy archers and towers, as cavalry is less effective. Siege weapons are crucial for reducing casualties. As a defender against a settlement, avoid placing units on walls if the enemy has ranged siege weapons; instead, concentrate forces near breach points. Manned towers can inflict casualties, and strong melee units can defend against ladders and siege towers by exploiting bottlenecks.

During Battle Tactics:

The "Suppress and Flank" tactic involves engaging enemy infantry with your own while cavalry flanks and charges the enemy's sides, causing heavy casualties. Be cautious of terrain that can hinder cavalry charges. Missile units can also flank but are slower to position. To counter "Suppress and Flank," use your own cavalry to out-flank or meet their flanking forces. The "Shock and Awe" tactic uses scare tactics to break enemy morale, relying on units like cavalry or artillery. Missile units can also disrupt enemy flanking maneuvers. Always ensure your missile units do not friendly fire, prioritizing targets not engaged in melee. Flanking and shooting enemies in the sides or back is effective as missile units ignore defense skill and face less bottlenecking.

Key Considerations:

• Adapt tactics to terrain (rivers, trees, elevation).
• Support missile and cavalry units; avoid charging uphill or into fleeing enemies.
• Utilize high ground when defending.
• Cavalry is less effective in close-quarters siege attacks.
• Siege weapons significantly reduce casualties in sieges.
• Be aware of enemy siege capabilities when defending settlements.
• "Suppress and Flank" involves infantry engaging while cavalry attacks flanks.
• Counter "Suppress and Flank" with your own cavalry or by disrupting their flanking.
• "Shock and Awe" uses fear to break morale.
• Prevent friendly fire from missile units.
• Flanking and shooting from the sides/rear is highly effective.