Target the people. questions

[fire_toad]

Many great generals, avoided using direct attacks at the enemie's armies and instead attacked the people, making them lose heart and end the war. I was wondering if this method works in Civ3. So if you capture a capital, the nation will be much more willing to make peace. Or will making fast victories, like capturing 3 cities in the first two turns of the war frighten the nation into submission?
Another question is if flanking manoevres or geographicly strategical positions give you combat bonuses. In fact, does subtle strategy work at all in this game?

[ChaotikVisions]

Yes, I think it does actually. Deal them some damage in the form of lost cities and they always seem more willing to sign a peace treaty. Also, threat of there capitol being taken(ie: troops being close to it) also seems to make them want to sign a peace treaty. I believe moutains/hills/and such give you defensive bonuses, but no thing like flanking. Combat goes off terrain the units A/D, from what i've seen Veteran/Elite status is just more hp, not a combat bonus.

[Arrian]

firetoad,

Pillaging a civ's connections to its resources (luxury and strategic) seems to make them a lot more willing to talk peace. This is a way to inflict harm without actually killing units or capturing cities. The most effective way to fight, however, remains capturing cities.

Combat bonuses are tied to terrain, and only help the defender:

forest
jungle
hills
mountains
anything across a river

Also, cities and city walls:

Size 6 or less: no bonus
Size 6 or less w/city walls: 50% bonus
Size 7-12: same as 6 or less w/walls (can't build walls for 7+ size cities)
Size 13+: 100% bonus.

So attacking a size 13+ city on a hill without a large numerical or technological advantage or a lot of artillery is not very smart.

Holding the high ground, and forcing your enemy's units out into flat ground (aka a "kill zone"), bombarding them and then killing them is, on the other hand, smart.

-Arrian