In Empire Total War you will find there are numerous tactics one can employ in multiplayer. This is a guide on a very powerful tactic for turning the tide of a battle by overrunning a key flank.
The idea of a military column was originally employed by Napoleon during the wars late 1700's, although rendered somewhat useless in today's battles, these tactics can still be quite devastating in Empire:Total War, Multiplayer and Singleplayer alike.
These columns should prove decisive in winning the battle. Their main focus should be on advancing at full speed in column formation and engaging in melee with the enemy line.
Charge between volleys to avoid casualties, and the full strength forces should easily crush through your opponent's line and allow the original line to go on and either focus on another point in your opponent's line or break through and assault your opponent's artillery.
Once your columns have engaged the enemy, try to launch a "hammer and anvil" strike into the rear of their melee distracted line with your cavalry, this is an ideal use for light cavalry.
After your columns have broken through, push through to your opponent's reserves or artillery, perhaps form line and advance to provoke his cavalry with fire until they charge, at which point you form square to blunt their charge and ensure your victory.
This brings us to the subject of square formation. It is an ideal target for a column charge, not only will it focus a large number of men on a small section of the enemy's line and overwhelm them, but once they lose square formation, they become highly vulnerable to cavalry. Three columns can easily take down 4 squares if used correctly and with cavalry support the weakened squares can be quickly routed from the battle. This should lead to a mass rout on the flank of the enemy's forces, freeing up your columns for further flanking or opening the field, allowing you to neutralize his artillery with your cavalry.
However, the player should always wait for the best possible time for a column charge and ensure you have a good column prepared. An ideal column is composed of three Guard units at veterancy level 1, which should still leave enough money to buy the rest of your force and provide enough power to smash through the enemy's lines with the three units of guards packed closely together in three 6x20 columns.
To sum up, the ideal targets for your column are units in square formation, weakened flanks, and in some cases the midpoint of the enemy's line, although this is generally a bad idea.
Remember that the main thing to avoid while using this tactic is close proximity to cannons, as this leaves you vulnerable to canister shot, which can easily rip apart a column. Finally always make sure to charge between the enemy's volleys so as not to blunt your charge.
In the video there is some usage of column on the right flank around the 4 minute mark, but instead of using them to Melee, he charges them in, forms line and opens fire on a flank, another great use of the column.
Column tactics replay - 1
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