Battle Types

Introduction

The type of battle that occurs from within a campaign depends on a variety of factors, from the stance your force is in to the terrain surrounding it. In Total War: ROME II, the following battle types are possible:

Standard Land Battle

Standard land battles occur whenever an army is attacked in the field. Any allied or reinforcing forces may be drawn into such a battle.

Baggage Train Battle

When a battle containing both armies and fleets occurs and the defender’s force contains a fleet as reinforcements, then a baggage train battle occurs. The baggage train itself is simply a point to be captured on the battlefield.

Ambush Battle

An ambush takes place when an army attacks when in ambush stance or if they attack an enemy who is in forced march stance, otherwise a standard land battle occurs. The attacker’s allies or reinforcements may be drawn into the fight, but not the defender’s.

River Crossing Battle

A river crossing battle happens when one army attacks another and a bridge or ford are present on the landscape within the defender’s zone of control. Nearby allies or reinforcements will appear on the battlefield. The opposing side deploy on opposite sides of the river.

Limes/Encampment Battle

When an army in fortified stance is attacked it will result in a limes (frontier) or encampment battle, where the defenders will deploy in or around a wooden fort. As before, allied or reinforcing forces may be drawn into the battle. Allied or reinforcing forces may be drawn into the fight.

Fortified (Walled) Settlement Battle

When a walled settlement is attacked, the defender deploys behind the walls or has the option to sally out and meet the attacker outside. The attacker has to break in, either by use of siege engines or artillery, or by burning down the gates by selecting a unit and then right-clicking on the gate. Allied or reinforcing forces may be drawn into the fight. See the section of sieges for further details.

Unfortified Settlement Battle

When an unfortified settlement is attacked, the defender will have the option either to deploy inside or sally out and meet the attacker in front of it. Allied or reinforcing forces will appear on the battlefield. See the section of sieges for further details.

Standard Naval Battle

Standard naval battles occur whenever a fleet is attacked in open sea. Any allied or reinforcing forces may be drawn into such a battle.

Coastal Battle

A coastal battle occurs when land and/or sea forces are engaged, no settlement is present, and a land army is attacked by another near the coast. Allied or reinforcing forces will appear on the battlefield.

Navigable River Battle

This is essentially a sea battle but with land on either side of the seascape. Navigable river battles occur when one or more fleets are present and two opposing land armies are the main forces. Allied or reinforcing forces will appear on the battlefield.

Fortified (Walled) Port Battle

When a fortified port is attacked, the defender deploys inside the harbour or has the option to row out and meet the attacker in front of it. The attacker has to break in, by the use of siege artillery. Allied or reinforcing forces may be drawn into the fight.

Unfortified Port Battle

When an unfortified port is attacked, the defender will have the option either to deploy inside or row out and meet the attacker in front of it. Allied or reinforcing forces will appear on the seascape.