I remember playing a siege battle once. I was defending the fort as Great Britain with France being the attacker with Napoleon as the commanding General. The map had the fortress at the end of a cliff and a valley separating the two forces. So I concentrated all of my artillery on the slope side where the French was to soften them up as they approached before switching to canister shot to cause massive damage at close range and had most of my soldiers on the walls, except the one facing the sea, manning the defensive canons and in preparation to mop up any forces still advancing. I start the match and in under 20 seconds of the battle, one of the defensive canons fired off a lucky shot hitting and killing Napoleon.
In Empire Total war a similar thing happened where I spawned as Great Britain and I was playing against Spain. He was a defender and I was the attacker. As soon as I started the game a cannon killed my commander, they later updated the map.
Hi Taff, so happy to see a Napoleon campaign - good move. Really quick advice, in the naval battles - try to avoid the Line formation. As the battle is changing rapidly, your ships are still following the old line of movement. A few times ships were not in cannon angle and it could cost you late in the game. I would recommend just individually controlling the ships for now. Another real quick one, the trade ships, always just hit the rigging - they are way to valuable to sink. Thanks!
Tell that to the AI, because Taff was repeatedly ordering his ships to attack the enemy warship, but they repeatedly ignored his orders and concentrated their fire on hitting the trade ships. Yes, the trade ships would be valuable to capture; perhaps there should be some way to send boarding parties to capture them incorporated into the game (if there is no such option currently available)?
TW:WH 3 was the last one. They’ve also released Troy, Three Kingdoms, hell I think even Attila during their WHF run. Granted none of those are gunpowder settings…
I have the complete collection of the Hornblower novels - great stuff! You mentioned Master and Commander - loved that one too. Really impressed by details in the naval battles, the program even swings the yards when the ships tack - details like that. I say old chap, the way you handle the land battles makes me think you are a military veteran. By the way, my condolences on the passing of the Queen, long live King Charles III.
Watching Elphinstone's gunners sink those beautiful Spanish merchants brought tears to my eyes. These boys are a little keen, don't you think? They should think of the prize money!
I realize that I’m a bit late to the dance, but one tactic used. By Sir Francis Drakes small, fast ships against the armada was to maneuver to the windward side of the large galleons because the wind rolled the galleons to the leeward (larboard) causing the guns facing Drakes ships to be elevated and overshooting, while Drake’s leeward guns were lower and could hit the galleons closer to the water line.the guns of that could be easily elevated, but could be depressed only so much. From your naval battles, it looks like the game has simulated the rolling from the wind.
If you want to get into combat quick in Empire as Britain, just attack France and Spain, You can knock out France in about 7 turn from the start of the game and Spain after about another 7 turns.
This is really great Taff. Thank you. I also read all the Hornblower books, as my dad a complete set. I remember reading several stories about the 3rd rate ... called Insufferable i think :)
So for the naval battle there, you held the weather gauge at the start of the engagement- the French ships were sailing into the wind, whereas you were reaching (sailing across the wind). If you'd been able to use chain/ bar shot to target rigging and sails, you could've significantly reduced their maneuverability and chances at splitting up and turning around like that. Might've made capture of more ships more feasible. :)
For anyone attempting this themselves as Britain, remember to also use the smaller ships provided to you near the British islands to damage all of France's northern ports and the western one. Also continually train your spy using their first level university which has 95% success rate. Once he becomes a master saboteur, you can destroy more valuable things in future such as barracks when you're trying to hold mainland French regions. Destroying ports stops France being able to produce war and trade ships to mess your trade up. It takes one single ship to destroy your entire economy when you're Britain as it relies mainly on trade. You should also produce 1 or 2 trade ships per turn to send to the trade nodes, and immediately upgrade the dockyard to a drydock so you can start producing first and second rates. You'll keep France locked out of the ocean other than the southern ports they have, and the Atlantic ocean is yours. The trade nodes will provide all the income necessary to build a proper fleet for offensive and defensive actions, as well as building up an army in Gibraltar. Spain WILL attack Gibraltar at some point, so producing 1 or when possible 2 line infantry units per turn is an almost must, and save up early on 8k gold to build a fort which makes defending it so much easier. Build a drydock in Gibraltar so you have naval logistics to reinforce your navy around Gibraltar. You can then start sending trade ships to the more valuable trade notes in the south. This works every time if you do it correctly. There is a lot more to add but I can't be arsed lol.
I was so excited for this, was the first "recent" one that was supposed to have campaign multiplayer and they advertised it, except when it came out they tried to make it a beta multiplayer thing you had to go through hoops to try to get to work, and it never did.
You need to micro manage every ship in your fleet instead of just keeping them in line formation, way more effective to alternate side to side for broadsides
If you play British in Empire, please use the term 'rebel scum' liberally when fighting the Americans, I would but being an American myself it just sounds silly, thanks Taff
Taff I know it’s a game and all, but just for pure interest I am writing this. The one hundred and twenty gun warships were not started to be build by the British until 1808 and their after!!.
Paul McGann was meant to be Richard Sharpe but he broke his leg a couple of days into filming so the part went to Sean Bean, who so impressed Bernard Cornwell that he slighty retcond Sharpes history
My favorite naval tactic in these games is to split into two lines then go down both sides of the enemy doubling the damage done Btw can you rename that french ship to something a little less french lol
Vanilla Napoleon is far more polished than vanilla Empire, but vanilla Empire is far more expansive than Napoleon. Empire has North, Central, and northern South America, Europe, India, and multiple trade node theaters (all naval only). Napoleon is smoother in gameplay and just generally functions better. Not to mention Empire has a few bugs in it that were never squashed. For example, it isn't uncommon to have a bug where any portions of a wall that are destroyed are permanently destroyed. You can't repair them, you can only upgrade to the next fort level or you have to tear them down and rebuild them again. If you want a game solely for the tactical battles, Napoleon is better. If you like a large expansive campaign Empire is better. HOWEVER, I should also add that there is a decent modding community for Empire which do fix a lot of its problems. Darth mod, for example, took a lot of the engine from Napoleon and implemented it into Empire, while also adding a few extra quality of life things of their own. TLDR: Napoleon is better for battles *with no mods for Empire* while Empire is better for the campaign *with some small but persistent bugs*
Empire is better but it is a mess and requires mods to make it enjoyable. Napoleon is more polished, and gameplay more clean. The map is more fun due to it being concentrated in europe and thus more detailed. In empire you got india and the Caribbean, sea maps of and around africa. A few game modes like you can play native americans battling the settlers for dominion etc. It is simply a lot and the task of jumping between the different maps to juggle your imperial holdings is not terribly fun. In short I prefer empire but I have actually finished Napoleonic campaigns.
that spanish fleet you ran from was weaker than yours even with the french in reserve Look at the bar in the middle below the crossed swords You had less ships and less guns, but british ships are the best in the world at this time period, you would have anihillated them lol
There's the key, less guns. Your number of guns dictate if your fleet is up to the task or not. And losing a ship or having most of your boats damaged is a big no no if you intend to fight the campaign. You very much so need to defeat the AI in detail, and that requires you to avoid equal or near equal battles.
I remember playing a siege battle once. I was defending the fort as Great Britain with France being the attacker with Napoleon as the commanding General. The map had the fortress at the end of a cliff and a valley separating the two forces. So I concentrated all of my artillery on the slope side where the French was to soften them up as they approached before switching to canister shot to cause massive damage at close range and had most of my soldiers on the walls, except the one facing the sea, manning the defensive canons and in preparation to mop up any forces still advancing. I start the match and in under 20 seconds of the battle, one of the defensive canons fired off a lucky shot hitting and killing Napoleon.
In Empire Total war a similar thing happened where I spawned as Great Britain and I was playing against Spain. He was a defender and I was the attacker. As soon as I started the game a cannon killed my commander, they later updated the map.
That intro cinematic...still get goosebumps everytime.
Hi Taff, so happy to see a Napoleon campaign - good move.
Really quick advice, in the naval battles - try to avoid the Line formation. As the battle is changing rapidly, your ships are still following the old line of movement. A few times ships were not in cannon angle and it could cost you late in the game. I would recommend just individually controlling the ships for now. Another real quick one, the trade ships, always just hit the rigging - they are way to valuable to sink.
Thanks!
Tell that to the AI, because Taff was repeatedly ordering his ships to attack the enemy warship, but they repeatedly ignored his orders and concentrated their fire on hitting the trade ships. Yes, the trade ships would be valuable to capture; perhaps there should be some way to send boarding parties to capture them incorporated into the game (if there is no such option currently available)?
I served Her Majesty in 32nd Regiment (Heavy) Artillery. I'll be sure to keep and eye for them and hope to represent us well! Long live the King.
I wish they would move away from all of the Warhammer fantasy for once and come back to the gunpowder Total War games.
TW:WH 3 was the last one. They’ve also released Troy, Three Kingdoms, hell I think even Attila during their WHF run. Granted none of those are gunpowder settings…
Troy and three kingdoms had a bit too much fantasy for me. I would love if they announced Empire 2.
@@stablegun314 I forgot about Troy and Three Kingdoms, but I feel the same way that David does.
NO warhammer 20 incoming
@@stablegun314 lol Attila you smoking that good shit
I have the complete collection of the Hornblower novels - great stuff! You mentioned Master and Commander - loved that one too. Really impressed by details in the naval battles, the program even swings the yards when the ships tack - details like that. I say old chap, the way you handle the land battles makes me think you are a military veteran. By the way, my condolences on the passing of the Queen, long live King Charles III.
May i recommend a fellow conosier, the sharps series. Thats great stuff
@@inotaarto8719 connoisseur?
The opening cinematic.....Magnifique!!!! I could watch it repeatedly!!!!
Keep the action coming, after all it was Nelson who said, "England expects that every man shall do his duty."
Taff you can press space and the troops will move faster Instead of how slow they’re going right now
Scrolled down to say exactly this.
My favorite era of military history. This gon be good!
One of the 3 very best Total War game that made me hooked to the Total War Licence.
Love this series Taff can’t wait to see more love your competent kind sir!
Watching Elphinstone's gunners sink those beautiful Spanish merchants brought tears to my eyes. These boys are a little keen, don't you think? They should think of the prize money!
I realize that I’m a bit late to the dance, but one tactic used. By Sir Francis Drakes small, fast ships against the armada was to maneuver to the windward side of the large galleons because the wind rolled the galleons to the leeward (larboard) causing the guns facing Drakes ships to be elevated and overshooting, while Drake’s leeward guns were lower and could hit the galleons closer to the water line.the guns of that could be easily elevated, but could be depressed only so much. From your naval battles, it looks like the game has simulated the rolling from the wind.
Napoleon Boneytaff 🤣...Oh you are the Duke of Wellingtaff 🤣🤣🤣
I used to play this game sooo long ago and the intro got me feeling nostalgic, even if it’s strange that a French man has an American accent
Great choice for a new series.
Looking forward to this series 👍
I enjoyed you interjection bits of British history👍
You learn from sharp and Hornblower far more that in 1 documentary.
If you want to get into combat quick in Empire as Britain, just attack France and Spain, You can knock out France in about 7 turn from the start of the game and Spain after about another 7 turns.
Great! will be following this with interest , was hoping you was going to do a total war or something like hidden and dangerous. Keep it up
This is really great Taff. Thank you. I also read all the Hornblower books, as my dad a complete set. I remember reading several stories about the 3rd rate ... called Insufferable i think :)
Indefatigable 👍🏻
Always interesting to see someone British handling the RN!
So for the naval battle there, you held the weather gauge at the start of the engagement- the French ships were sailing into the wind, whereas you were reaching (sailing across the wind). If you'd been able to use chain/ bar shot to target rigging and sails, you could've significantly reduced their maneuverability and chances at splitting up and turning around like that. Might've made capture of more ships more feasible. :)
For anyone attempting this themselves as Britain, remember to also use the smaller ships provided to you near the British islands to damage all of France's northern ports and the western one. Also continually train your spy using their first level university which has 95% success rate. Once he becomes a master saboteur, you can destroy more valuable things in future such as barracks when you're trying to hold mainland French regions. Destroying ports stops France being able to produce war and trade ships to mess your trade up. It takes one single ship to destroy your entire economy when you're Britain as it relies mainly on trade. You should also produce 1 or 2 trade ships per turn to send to the trade nodes, and immediately upgrade the dockyard to a drydock so you can start producing first and second rates. You'll keep France locked out of the ocean other than the southern ports they have, and the Atlantic ocean is yours. The trade nodes will provide all the income necessary to build a proper fleet for offensive and defensive actions, as well as building up an army in Gibraltar. Spain WILL attack Gibraltar at some point, so producing 1 or when possible 2 line infantry units per turn is an almost must, and save up early on 8k gold to build a fort which makes defending it so much easier. Build a drydock in Gibraltar so you have naval logistics to reinforce your navy around Gibraltar. You can then start sending trade ships to the more valuable trade notes in the south. This works every time if you do it correctly. There is a lot more to add but I can't be arsed lol.
"Who's the boy with the hoockety Nose, who makes the parley-vouse to run? Our NOSEY!"
Oh this is going to be good
I was so excited for this, was the first "recent" one that was supposed to have campaign multiplayer and they advertised it, except when it came out they tried to make it a beta multiplayer thing you had to go through hoops to try to get to work, and it never did.
Here because im currently listening to the Sharpe books on Audible
Always looked for someone good to play the British! Thank you
I watched Hornblower and Sharpe as well friend.
Ok.... you just talked me into reinstalling this gem.
Do you use any mods or programs to modernize the graphics a bit?
You need to micro manage every ship in your fleet instead of just keeping them in line formation, way more effective to alternate side to side for broadsides
Its funny, in Scandinavia, Nelson is considered somewhat of a war criminal.
Use cav to circle behind and hit from behind in a hammer and anvil tactics
Long live the King!!!
Please do a series of Empire.
If you play British in Empire, please use the term 'rebel scum' liberally when fighting the Americans, I would but being an American myself it just sounds silly, thanks Taff
Taff I know it’s a game and all, but just for pure interest I am writing this. The one hundred and twenty gun warships were not started to be build by the British until 1808 and their after!!.
coldest intro ever
Would love to see you play tw empire
Could try darthmod for your play through
14 Shillings on the drum
Retreating from a naval battle when the balance of power is 66% in your favour? Hmm.
dont forget you can board using the board button?
For the metrics o7
Elphinstone became lord Keith, i think?
Yes, that opening cinematic looks nice and is also very very wrong.
I normally sell Gibraltar to Portugal, and get that cash.
Please more.
If you like podcasts check out a series called Real Dictators. It’s Narrated by Paul McGann (Withnail and I) and they just did a 6 parter on Napoleon
Paul McGann was meant to be Richard Sharpe but he broke his leg a couple of days into filming so the part went to Sean Bean, who so impressed Bernard Cornwell that he slighty retcond Sharpes history
My favorite naval tactic in these games is to split into two lines then go down both sides of the enemy doubling the damage done
Btw can you rename that french ship to something a little less french lol
Historically they actually did not rename captured ships, unless they were something super ridiculous
Wellesley's nose is not big enough.
I INSIST you publish that ETW series
I INSIST you not insist. LOL!
Oooooo new game
No mods?
Should get napoleon total war 3 mod . If you like realisim.
Is Napoleon or Empire better?
Vanilla Napoleon is far more polished than vanilla Empire, but vanilla Empire is far more expansive than Napoleon. Empire has North, Central, and northern South America, Europe, India, and multiple trade node theaters (all naval only). Napoleon is smoother in gameplay and just generally functions better. Not to mention Empire has a few bugs in it that were never squashed. For example, it isn't uncommon to have a bug where any portions of a wall that are destroyed are permanently destroyed. You can't repair them, you can only upgrade to the next fort level or you have to tear them down and rebuild them again. If you want a game solely for the tactical battles, Napoleon is better. If you like a large expansive campaign Empire is better.
HOWEVER, I should also add that there is a decent modding community for Empire which do fix a lot of its problems. Darth mod, for example, took a lot of the engine from Napoleon and implemented it into Empire, while also adding a few extra quality of life things of their own.
TLDR: Napoleon is better for battles *with no mods for Empire* while Empire is better for the campaign *with some small but persistent bugs*
Empire is better but it is a mess and requires mods to make it enjoyable. Napoleon is more polished, and gameplay more clean. The map is more fun due to it being concentrated in europe and thus more detailed. In empire you got india and the Caribbean, sea maps of and around africa. A few game modes like you can play native americans battling the settlers for dominion etc. It is simply a lot and the task of jumping between the different maps to juggle your imperial holdings is not terribly fun.
In short I prefer empire but I have actually finished Napoleonic campaigns.
that spanish fleet you ran from was weaker than yours even with the french in reserve
Look at the bar in the middle below the crossed swords
You had less ships and less guns, but british ships are the best in the world at this time period, you would have anihillated them lol
Debatable if our ships eere the best in the world, certainly the equal. Many of our ships were originally french!
There's the key, less guns. Your number of guns dictate if your fleet is up to the task or not. And losing a ship or having most of your boats damaged is a big no no if you intend to fight the campaign. You very much so need to defeat the AI in detail, and that requires you to avoid equal or near equal battles.
use Darthmod for realistic smoke effects
The introduction is a bit weird, he didnt tame Russia and he lost Egypt, lol.
This game needs a remake with modern graphics and such
Do a Prussia campaign
I'll be honest. I don't like the semi 3 D graphics. If it was anyone but you, I'd have skipped by this one. The graphics are trash. They ruin it.