004.CrusadesTraining_d - WDS Crusades Book II

Siege Training #4 - Intended to be played as the Crusader Alliance versus the Anti-Crusader Alliance A/I

Please READ the entirety of this description for details.

In this training scenario, you will be introduced to the basics of using ladders. Also, keep in mind that this scenario is set up for the sole purpose of training and should not be considered a scenario that should be played to a conclusion.

First thing to understand is that ladders can ONLY be used against a standard fortress wall hex. In other words, they cannot be used to climb a tower or a gate hex. Secondly, how can you spot a unit equipped with a ladder?  In 3D, you can see the physical ladder in an upright position. Also, you can see an "L" in the info box after the Movement #. Be aware that if a unit is also equipped with a boat, only the "B" will be visible. Also, the unit will have the Has Ladders label under their formation indicator. Lastly, you can use the highlight feature. This can be toggled by using the top menu under the "View" drop down. Once there, find "Highlight" and select it. At the bottom it will say "Units with Ladders." All units equipped with ladders will be highlighted. Because the maximum strength allowed on a wall hex is 75, all units equipped with a ladder must have a strength of 75 or less and all units wanting to use the ladder after it has been deployed must also have a strength of 75 or less.

For a full description, please review the User Manual section 5.2.26 Ladders.

Let's get started and move our ladders to the Ascalon fortress wall and see this in action. Before we start moving to climb the walls, we want to soften up the defenders. This is necessary to help if you are planning to assault an occupied wall hex. As you can imagine, climbing up a ladder and trying to kill your opponent will not be an easy task. Though this can vary, a typical combat modifier for an attacker would be -75%. It will be tough to win with that negative modifier. My advice, weaken your opponent, or select a hex that in not defender occupied.

Now select you archer units and fire upon the defender on hex 31,18. You should have been able to inflict 10 or more losses on the defender form both shots combined. Next, select the sword unit at 34,20 and move to hex 32,18, then move the other sword unit to hex 31,19. You will observe that your remaining movement points are 3 for each sword unit moved. Now, move your spear unit to 32,19. You'll notice that all your units start the scenario in Line of Battle (LOB). To deploy your ladders, you must be in column formation. I advise that you advance to the wall in LOB, then on the next turn, change to column. This will reduce your risk for taking losses as you approach the wall.

Now that you are at the wall, you will need to advance to the next turn since you will not have enough remaining MPs to switch to column and climb the wall. So be prepared to be fired upon. It is best to switch to column and climb the wall all in the same turn. This will also reduce the risk for taking losses.

Advance to turn two. Begin with firing both your archer units on the same defending target. With that complete, select each of your three infantry units and change their formation to column. The two sword units equipped with ladders and the spear unit. Next, you will need to deploy your ladders. Select your sword unit at 31,19, then under the "Command" menu at the top, select the toggle that says "Use Ladder." A Ladder dialog will appear. This is similar to using sappers to mine a fortress wall hex. The dialog will ask you to select between "Up Left or Up." Please select Up Left as that hex is not defended and will help you have a longer life. A ladder will now be displayed against the wall and your sword unit will say ON LADDER. Do the same with your other sword unit. This time your only choice will be the "Up Left" on the Ladder Dialog box. This is because the other hex is a tower hex and ladders cannot be used against a tower. Why? A tower is taller than a ladder can reach. With both ladders deployed, you will notice that both units have zero MPs left. However, your sword unit at 32, 18 can melee. The other sword unit cannot and will have to wait until turn 3 to climb.

Let's melee. Advance to the melee phase. Select your sword unit and right click the defending unit. It will probably say "slight attacker advantage." That defender has been weakened, don't forget. So, your chances of victory as reasonably good. Let's give it a try. Resolve the melee now. Oh my, if what happen to me also happens to you, you men on the ladder failed to take the hex and your ladder is broken. But all is not lost. You still have another ladder. Advance to turn 3.

It is time to climb. Select your sword unit at 31,19 and climb to wall hex 30,18.  You still have 9 MPs left. Move to the tower hex to the left at 29,19. You will notice that you ladder is still deployed. That means other eligible units can climb but they will NOT have to deploy ladders or even have ladders to begin with. The unit that came before had the needed ladder, deployed it and successfully climbed the wall and moved to another hex. Now we can select another unit to climb. Select your spear unit at 32,19, as mentioned earlier, it should already be in column formation. Move it to the ladder, and notice the ON LADDER flag will appear. Now climb up to the wall hex.

Well done, you now have two units on the wall via the use of a ladder. From here you can stop the scenario, or start over if you need to repeat this training exercise.