The Simplified Guide to Attacking in Norland
Attacking in Norland isn’t just a matter of running headfirst into battle with your troops. Oh no, I learned that the hard way. You have to be strategic about it—or you’ll just end up wasting precious resources, losing soldiers, and getting humiliated by your enemies.
The first time I launched an attack, I was pretty confident. I mean, I had a decent-sized army, and my enemies looked weak on paper. But the reality? Well, let’s just say my troops were scattered and defeated before I even had a chance to retreat.
Lesson learned: you need a solid game plan.
Preparing for an Attack: Don’t Rush In
Here’s the first thing I wish someone had told me: preparation is everything. Before you even think about launching an attack, you’ve got to ensure your kingdom is in good shape.
In my case, I didn't realize how crucial it was to have a stable economy before heading into war. My economy tanked halfway through the campaign, and I couldn’t support my troops with enough weapons or provisions.
Build Your Economy
Ensure your kingdom has a steady stream of income. You’ll need a lot of resources, not just for training soldiers but for maintaining morale and keeping them supplied with food and gear.
I made the mistake of ignoring my farms and production chains before my attack. Guess what happened? My soldiers were starving, unhappy, and quickly lost motivation. Yeah, a hungry army is a useless army.
Tip: Focus on creating a surplus of resources like food, weapons, and trade goods before the war even starts. This will give you more flexibility during the conflict.
Scouting Your Enemy
Now, once you’ve got your economy humming, it’s time to do some scouting. One of my biggest blunders was underestimating my enemy. I thought I could just march in and overpower them with sheer numbers, but I didn’t bother to check their defenses or the strength of their army. Big mistake.
Always scout before attacking. Check the strength of your opponent’s army, their resources, and any defensive structures they might have. One time, I attacked a neighboring village without realizing they had heavily fortified walls and archers stationed in towers. My infantry got torn to pieces before they could even breach the gates. Ouch.
How to Scout Effectively
Send spies or scouts: These can give you crucial information on troop positions, fortifications, and weak points.
Observe trade routes: If your enemy is relying heavily on trade for resources, you could cut them off before the battle even begins.
Analyze enemy alliances: Sometimes, your target might have powerful friends. Trust me, the last thing you want is to attack and suddenly find yourself up against an entire coalition.
Building a Balanced Army
When you’ve gathered intel, it’s time to get serious about your army composition. It’s not enough to just throw a bunch of soldiers at the problem and hope for the best. You need a balanced force.
In my earlier battles, I relied way too much on infantry and neglected ranged units. You can imagine how well that went when my opponents had well-placed archers. Yeah, my soldiers barely stood a chance.
Tip: Build a balanced army that includes infantry and ranged units. Each unit type has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, infantry is great for close combat, but archers can pick off enemies from a distance.
Training and Equipping Your Troops
Once you’ve got your units figured out, focus on training and equipping them. Don’t skimp on armor and weapons. I tried to cut corners once by sending poorly equipped peasants into battle, and it was a disaster. Not only did they get wiped out, but it also took forever to rebuild my army afterward.
Give your troops the best armor you can afford and train them in combat techniques. Trust me, it’ll pay off in the long run. A well-trained and well-equipped army can turn the tide of battle, even if they’re outnumbered.
Timing Your Attack
Now, onto the actual attack itself. Timing is everything. In one campaign, I attacked right before winter. Bad idea. My troops were freezing, supplies were low, and the terrain was impossible to navigate. Timing your attack during the right season and when your enemy is vulnerable can make or break your campaign.
When to Attack
Attack when the enemy is weak: This could be after they’ve just fought another war or when they’re dealing with internal problems like revolts or famines.
Seasonal considerations: Winter can be brutal in Norland, and marching an army through snow-covered mountains is a recipe for disaster. Plan your campaigns for spring or summer when conditions are more favorable.
Surprise factor: If you can catch your enemy off-guard, you’ll have a huge advantage. One of my most successful attacks was a nighttime raid that overwhelmed the enemy before they had a chance to organize their defenses.
Managing the Battle: Adapt and Overcome
Once the fighting starts, you can’t just sit back and watch. I used to think I could plan everything out in advance, but that’s not how battles work. Things can and will go wrong, and you need to adapt on the fly.
During one siege, I realized halfway through that my enemy had more reinforcements than I anticipated. My initial reaction was to retreat, but I decided to adapt instead. I pulled back my troops and had them flank the enemy, which ended up being the key to winning the battle.
Tip: Be flexible. If your strategy isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change it up. Flanking maneuvers, reinforcements, and tactical retreats can turn a losing battle into a victory.
Using Terrain to Your Advantage
Pay attention to the terrain. If you’re in a forest, archers might be more effective.
In one particularly frustrating battle, I charged my slow heavy infantry straight into a forest, not realizing that their effectiveness would be severely limited. Yeah, I lost that one. Don’t make the same mistake.
After the Battle: The Spoils of War
Assuming you win (and you will if you plan properly), don’t forget about the spoils of war. One of the biggest benefits of attacking in Norland is the chance to loot resources and gain new territory.
When I finally won my first major battle, the influx of resources helped stabilize my economy for the next few seasons.
What to Do After a Victory
Loot the enemy: Take everything you can—gold, food, weapons. This will help you recover from the costs of war.
Ransom prisoners: If you capture enemy nobles, you can ransom them for a hefty sum. Or, you can keep them as hostages to prevent future attacks.
Secure the new territory: Don’t just assume your newly conquered lands will stay loyal. Invest in security and keep an eye on potential revolts.
Conclusion to Attacking in Norland
In summary, attacking in Norland is not just about brute strength. You need strategy, preparation, and adaptability to come out on top. Plan your economy, scout your enemy, build a balanced army, and don’t be afraid to change tactics mid-battle.
Oh, and please, for the love of all that’s medieval, don’t attack right before winter.
