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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Michael Dean" data-source="post: 3656079" data-attributes="member: 9199">Just some random observations in no particular order:River DefensesIf I were Pike's fortress commanders, the first order of business would be to destroy bridges to make it as difficult as possible to cross the river.  Additionally, artillery (catapults, trebuchets and the like) should be trained on river crossing points to inflict maximum damage on crossing forces.  Artillery ammo should include rocks (to sink river craft), bolts (to wreak havoc on decks and sink smaller vessels), and some form of "greek fire" that will burn ships as well as burn on top of the water to create more damage.Additionally, water hazards should be placed where possible.  Heavy chains under the water in narrow passages can restrict boats from certain areas, or bottle them up to make easier targets.Land Force TacticsA general rule of thumb for a defender picking the battlefield is to pick an area where there is a geographical feature that they can "anchor" to, such as a river, a tall hill, marshy land, forest, whatever.  Anything that will keep an attacking force from wrapping around that point and flanking the defenders.  The defenders will ideally be able to stretch their forces to another feature to provide the same benefit on their other side.  If not, then the defenders should keep their more mobile troops like cavalry on that weaker side to be able to maneuver around the attackers and flank them.Having artillery or archers is critical to softening up cavalry charges and forcing the attackers to use their own artillery/archers to engage the defenders' to try to keep their heads down and not shoot up their force undisturbed.  The advantage is to the defenders obviously, since they don't have to charge; they can simply kill as many enemy forces as possible to blunt the attack.  In this type of fighting the key for attacker and defender alike is to have a wider front than the other side to enable flanking, without sacrificing "depth", so that a cavalry or infantry charge doesn't break through the line and turn around and wreak havoc behind the other guy's line.Also, in dealing with a superior attacking force, a good defender will have a planned retreat maneuver to get his force away if things are turning south.  Using cavalry to harass the attacker's cavalry will help shield a retreat of the infantry, and the defender should also plan for ways to make it difficult to follow such as removing temporary bridges and the like.  A good tactician will also plan for a "fake" retreat, where the infantry is seemingly broken by a cavalry charge, runs like hell, but has a fall back position where they have polearms stashed to raise up a la Braveheart and beat the hell out of a pursuing force.  It helps here if there is a hidden ambush by reserve archers or crossbowmen.  In the heat of battle it is possible to get a cavalry troop to continue an attack and disregard the possibility of an ambush until it's too late to turn back.</blockquote>

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