The WHITE TOWER Centre of Knowledge

These Tactips can be used for several strategy games but were mainly intended for WHFB. They are probably most useful to newbies as they deal with basics only.

1. CONCENTRATION OF FORCE

Whe you decide to attack, do so in force. As it is no use holding back with an offensive force, it is moreso a waste to be defeated when you do attack. It is an old militay doctrine to hold a 50-100% advantage before attacking. Hold this in mind, and avoid the enemy else. This also holds true for a defensive force, since even though it is best to have the individual units spread out, the attacks should be concentrated on one and the same target, it is far better to inflict 25 casualities on one unit that 5 casualities on 5 units. Just be careful so that you do not "overkill" a target, no shots must be wasted. By concentrating it's force even a small army can beat a larger one by massing all forces and being superior in one area at a time and retreating where inferior (in other words, Guerilla tactics).

2. MAINTENANCE OF AIM

When you have established a plan, follow it. The only thing worse than a bad plan is hesitating in following it. Strike decisively! It is alright to change your plan though when:

it is in the early stages of the battle
the opponent has left an unguarded spot
it is by no means tactically viable to follow your plan (eg twenty-four Helblasters are placed in front of your light cavalry assault)

Otherwise, try to stick to your plan under all circumstances. Small variations are allowed (eg sending some light cavalry to tie up your opponents flanking force) but the basic gist of the plan must remain the same. Be flexible but decisive. It is all to easy to lose track of the coherent plan in the midst of a battle.

3. ESTABLISHING AN AIM

It is all well and good to talk about following your plan, but first you got to have a plan. A good plan is one that will bring you victory, while minimizing the element of chance and still being hard to counter efficiently. To devise a plan, look at yourself and your opponent: what are you good at and what are your weaknesses. It is also preferable to watch the surrounding terrain. If for example your enemy is strong in numbers, then deploy on a narrow frontage and attack their flanks, sending them into disarray. If your foes are few, then use your superior numbers to surround them and cut away their escape routes. You will see that specific tactics work best with specific forces and against specific opponents. One word of warning though: do not become too attached to a certain tactic, for with time any tactic can be overcome, if you do not change then you will perish. Also, keep it simple, complex plans are much more likely to fall apart should anything go wrong. As the old adage says, "no plan survives contact with the enemy".

4. DIVERSIONARY PLOYS

Any plan can be broken by the enemy, if he is well prepared and is free to act. Likewise, it will be hard for you to stop the enemy if he is decisive. However, by using deception you can avert the enemy from his true purpose. If you can decide, or even influence, what your enemy will do then the battle is tipped in your favour. The best example of a diversionary ploy is attacking something your enemy holds dear, such as a battery of war machines or threatening the flank of his favorite unit. Your enemy will then dispose his energies in removing that threat, while leaving your main force largely intact. Thus, he has lost sight of his original aim. Be warned not to spend too much points on the diversionary force though, as it will most likely be destroyed. If your enemy decides to ignore the ploy then you have at least the chance of executing your threat and weakening the enemy. Fast units are the best at executing such ploys, so flyers and light cavalry are recommended.

5. KNOW YOUR ENEMY - AND YOURSELF

To be able to devise a cunning plan you must know what your foe is good and bad at. You must know what to stay away from and what to attack. You must know where his weak points are, and what to watch out for, so study him carefully. You must also be familiar with your own troops and abilities, both to crush your foe and guard yourself against the enemy. If you leave no gaps open, no flaws in your plan, then your opponent will be hard pressed to destroy you. Remember the words of Sun Tzu: "The great fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat. They then started to find out how to defeat the enemy."

Written by: Lictor