STRATEGY: Hannibal with his swift march has attained a strategic advantage over the legions. The Punics posses the initiative in the opening phases of the war against the overconfident and lax Romans. As such until 217 rolls by, Roman offensive operations will be virtually non existant.
The main objectives of the Carthaginians in this war are as usual, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. Hannibal's army can do little to directly threaten these objectives. But by constantly keeping the Romans off balance and drain their resources he can seriously aid other parallel operations against those islands. Moreover if he manages to blast through to southern Italy, the resources acquired there will certainly ease the fall of Roman Sicily.
Meanwhile the Carthaginian navy is in a bad state and in urgent need of repair. Without naval superiority there can be no serious hopes for the capture of Corsica and Sardenia.
The Punics start with a powerful army near Marseilles. Publius has already deployed in defensive positions around the Greek city.
The Carthaginians have the option of either engaging the Romans immediately and risk heavy casualties or bypass them via the Alps (following the river Rhone upstream).
The former option will open the way to Etruria, but make Hanibal unable to link with his Gallic allies, while the latter, although more time consuming, will guarantee that the Punic army will have lost none of its striking power upon reaching the Po valley.
TACTICS:
Carthaginian units rely on their mobility and offensive power.Make the most use of this and do not try to tackle the Roman legions head on. Occupying vital strategical choke points with defensive units (such as the Libyan phalanx) once in Italy, will keep many Roman troops away from the main strike force.
Try and utilize the terrain and the superior Carthaginian intelligence corps. Lay an ambush against aproaching enemy forces instead of rushing out in the open.
Lacking a siege train, strongly fortified cities such as Capua, Rome, Beneventum etc should best be avoided. Gold can many times prove stronger than steel.
LOGISTICS:
Historically Hannibal faced a huge supply problem in the Italian campaign. Actually he lost the Italian campaign because of his inability to resupply and replace losses, rather by a defeat in battle.
Total Roman naval superiority made sure that minimal reinforcements reached him from Africa, and his constant descent away from his Gallic and Spanish base severed his link with his Celtic allies. Therefore the only option availabe was the Greek cities of southern Italy. Their major ports would give access to his Macedonian allies and guarantee a steady flow of materiel.
Although Hannibal carried a supply train with him from New Carthage it did little to solve his problem. In Gameplay terms the "supply train" units can be disbanded to get a shield bonus - it is virtually the only way to get the super expensive Carthaginian units. Supply trains are created at turn intervals at Carthage and Utica and acquired at the fall of certain logistically important Roman cities(Cannae, Capua etc).
After Carthaginian naval superiority is achieved be sure to utilise to the fullest the "airlift" capability between mainland Africa and the major port cities in Italy.
ENEMY REPORT:
The Roman strategy at this point of the war is simple; application of overwhelming force against Hannibal aiming to end the war in a single blow. Later as this objective eludes them they will try to gradually weaken the Punic army by striking at its supply pools. Although Hannibal has taken precautionary measures to ensure the defense of Africa and the Iberian province by cross-posting the Spanish garrisons, they may not be enough. The huge resources available to the Roman Senate coupled with total naval superiority will mean that invasions of Africa and Iberia will eventually take place at the Romans' time of choosing.
Many Roman units have large contingents of Latins and Gauls serving alongside indigenous troops. These elements are less than happy in fighting a foreign war. What that means is that Roman units are fully subject to bribery by our agents.
OBJECTIVES:
As said before Carthaginian national interests demand the seizure of Corsica, Sicily and Sardinia. But you may find it more useful Senator, to cripple the Roman ability to wage war. The capture of the major recruitment centers of Cumae, Neapolis, Telamon, Volaterrae, Capua and of course Rome itself, would hamper the overall Roman war effort and put a strain on their military resources.
HINTS:
The Roman troops wll keep geting better and better (and more numerous) as time goes by. Do not let yourself get bogged down in sieges. Roman counterattacks can be disastrous.
The Etruria route is quite tricky because of the proximity of the Roman capital. The constant flow of Roman reinforcements is bound to bottle up your troops in Telamon and southern Etruria and with their anihilation will be imminent.
Keep in mind that most Carthaginian units ignore Zones of Control so it is almost impossible to be trapped by the legions if you keep moving. If a city is too strong to be taken, just bypass it.