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"Attack in an unsuspected manner, knowing (your opponent's) metre and modulation and the appropriate timing." Miyamoto Musahi, "The Book of Five Rings."
Chapter 8: Strike the Enemy (Level: Advanced)
Ultimately, the only way win is to defeat the enemy in battle. The only way to defeat the enemy is to attack. Everything else builds towards the final attack; when the moment is right, you must strike.
Timing: There are several times when it may be advantageous to attack. Each carries its own rewards... and its own risks.
The first chance is at the beginning of the game, before the enemy can set up their defenses. A sudden appearance of a beginning-level unit at the start of combat can tilt the battle straight into the end-game, if it's the proper unit, and the proper place.
The risk is that the enemy may have anticipated this, and have the proper counter to your attacking force. Be prepared for your initial attack to fail, if you choose this course of action.
The second chance is after the opponent has unsuccessfully attacked you. Their forces will be weakened in the attack, and if they miscalculated and committed too much to the assault without a thought to defense, they will be vulnerable to counter-attack.
The risk is if they did prepare a defense for you, you may be walking into an ambush. Be prepared for this, by allowing for a desperate defense.
The final chance is if you have prepared as best you can for an all-out offensive on the opponent. Building what you feel is the superior force, prepared for any possible opposition, and taking it into an enemy's base is nearly fool-proof.
The risk is in waiting too long to build such a force, and having the adversary strike before you are prepared. Be prepared for this, by making compromises in terms of quantity, and using superior tactics to defeat the adversary instead of sheer numbers.
A proper attacking force should consist of units capable of destroying the enemy structures, and units to protect those units. Just because you are on the offensive, do not abandon your defense.
Your strongest units should be in the center of your formation, with faster units on the wings. This will allow you to surround any army coming out to meet you in the field as quickly as possible.
"In large-scale strategy it is important to cause loss of balance. Attack without warning where the enemy is not expecting it, and while his spirit is undecided follow up your advantage and, having the lead, defeat him." Miyamoto Musashi, "The Book of Five Rings."
One way to catch an opponent off-balance is to attack while the enemy is attacking. If you slip a substantal force around the enemy's attacking force, you can possibly attack an undefended base and cause an incredible amout of damage to him while he is otherwise occupied. It's risky to split your forces at any time, and especially while your own infrastructure is in peril, but it may force an opponent to break off his attack and try to forestall his own demise.
Another way is to attack from an unexpected vector. If the enemy has fortified a section of their base against you, choose a different route. If they have left any point of their base undefended, use that to open the way for other forces to enter the base.
Yet another possible way is to attack from multiple vectors. Spliting your forces, again, is dangerous, but if you split them to attack the same target, you can force the enemy to split his own forces in response. Whichever prong of your attack they may focus on, the other may cause too much damage to recover from.
Finally, never attack from the same vector twice in a row.If you strike in the same place, the enemy will build that area up, and make that direction more difficult to approach, costing you more units than necessary. Attacking multiple points in succession forces the opponent to spread his defenses, making it much easier to penetrate from any point around his base.
Tactics: This is where you will win or lose. If you simply point your army in the direction of the enemy and let them make the attacks, the effect will be diffused, and the attack will not be as successful. Take charge of the attack, and array your forces effectively. Ensure they attack the proper targets at the proper times, and the enemy may not be able to stop you.
Probe the enemy's base and defenses first. This should be done with units that will not be needed for the main assault, as you will likely lose them in the process. Take note of the stronger entries to the base, and possible flaws in their defenses.
Probing the defenses can also draw defenders out of the base and allow you to take them on ground more favorable to you. This is where defensive tactics can come in handy. Using defense to make your offense easier cannot be overlooked.
Keep artillery back as far as possible. Their first task should be to remove any obstacles (such as turrets and walls) from your army's path. Protecting them should be your priority.
Once the defenses have been breached, your army should immediately target unit-production structures, followed by economic structures, with everything else left for last. If it doesn't contribute to the enemy's direct defense, it is no danger.
You will lose units during a prolonged assault. Make sure that you replace them back at your base as they mount, and channel them in groups into the attack, if possible. If the enemy is down, do not let him back up.
If you have super-weapons to use, use them. Saving them for later can prolong combat, and allow your enemy to rebuild and repulse your offensive.
Conclusion: Once it is time to attack, it must be done with the same care and planning that you have excercised to this point in all things. Once commited to attack, you must be prepared to eliminate your opponent without mercy.
(Next- Chapter 9: Single/Multi-player)