When playing Rome: attack Carthage in ancient era? Or wait for knights?

[Artifex]

As a general rule do you wait until Knights to attack or is it ok to go after Carthage with your legions in ancient times.

In my current emperor game It's 1125 BC and I am sharing the continent with Carthage. I have 11 cities to their 5 and just got iron working ..I have about 20 vet warriors waiting to be upgraded. I heard in some threads its not worth it to attack them since thier fortified mercs savage legions.

edit-I attacked them anyway.

I might have to go back down to monarch, emperor is unfun.

[metalhead]

Attacking is definitely the right move. Your 20 legions should be more than enough to cripple, if not eliminate, Carthage. They won't be as hard for your legions to dislodge as you might think, and you won't have to worry about much of a counter-attack. Remember, you biggest advantage of using the Romans is their Legionaries - take advantage of it!

[Fosse]

Metalhead is right, especially if you don't have anyone else for your legions to pound.

However I think the only thing we can say "as a general rule" is that when you attack Carthage has to be based on the game you're currently playing. In this case, go for it. But there can't be an "Always do/don't send legions to Carthage" rule.

[CerberusIV]

If there is someone else, take them first. If not then you really have to crush the Carthaginians.

Good luck (you'll need it).

[Wizard55]

Originally posted by: Artifex
I might have to go back down to monarch, emperor is unfun.

I have started about 20 games on Emperor and the AI gets out to far in front in the Tech race that I can't catch up.
No Fun!!!!

Monarch is a challenge and fun to play. That's what a game is supposed to be.

Good Luck in your game!!!!

[vmxa1]

Well you can catch up, but I agree it can be a real drag at times. Satisfing when you do, but for a fun run, yeah Monarch is the ticket.

[joncnunn]

Wizard55, the AI is widely known for making horrideous FP placements. If you probably place your FP, you will catch up and pass them.
There are already threads devoted to winning on Emperor, Corruption, and Palace / Forbiden Palace placement, so I shall not thread jack here.

Frankly, I was getting bored with the game at Monarch level before I moved on to Emperor.

[joncnunn]

Guesstimates of Carhage forces is essitenial.

Also, proper troop deployment; scattering 20 Legions into 3 attack forces is probably a bad idea.

With all of them in 1 group the AIs counter attacking forces will try to bypass them completely.

AI is really no good at tactics, and is easily lured into wasting time marching it's units in wild goose chases looking for an undefended city.

Originally posted by Fosse
Metalhead is right, especially if you don't have anyone else for your legions to pound.

However I think the only thing we can say "as a general rule" is that when you attack Carthage has to be based on the game you're currently playing. In this case, go for it. But there can't be an "Always do/don't send legions to Carthage" rule.

[Master Zen]

I would think twice about conquering Carthage under any other circumstance...

If there is no other civ to bash well, personally I'd wait for Knights (I'm a cautious guy, I admit ). Also consider that in that war both of you will trigger each other's GA.

However, in your case, you have 11 cities to their 5 and 20 legionaries available. I would say go for it! (hmm... you just did!) You will win.