The Art of Flanking the Enemy (Infantry Based)

[espooo]

Here's a little guide I am going to write up that may be useful to melee for flanking the enemy.

The Explanation:

Flanking really catches the enemy off guard. Flanking an enemy often refers to staying back and not risking yourself, while at the same time gradually weakening enemy forces. It may not always work, but it can be very effective if executed properly. Personally, I like to flank by myself, but mustering up an ambush is always good to coordinate. Flanking in formation has always proved in history to startle the enemy and weaken their forces. Yes, I understand some of you cRPG players have been playing for a while and understand these concepts I am about to explain, but I am making this guide for beginners. This could also help out more experienced players too.

Advantages:

1. avoid the enemy's main defenses.
2. opportunity to concentrate their forces only on the fraction of enemy troops on the flank that is attacked.
3. possibility of a surprise tactic.
4. possibility of isolating the enemy from their rear
5. possibility of cutting the routes of withdrawal of the enemy.



Example:

Lets give you a scenario.

You spawn and run away from your team, off maybe towards the mountains or into a forest, usually behind cover.
You then come across a nest of people, including many archers and stragglers.
In a casual infantry point of view, their sign to go is right away. But, you want to actually take a look the enemies and see what they possess. For example, the nest consists of 2 crossbowmen and a longbow men. You sign to go should be as the both the xbowmen are reloading and the longbowman is taking a shot, as the bow is very slow.

You need to observe the enemy for a right time to attack.

What should I wear? What build should I use?

It is highly recommended to use a build where you can run at a good speed, and at the same time, take out your enemies as fast as you can.

Typical flankers should usually wear lighter Armour to keep a consistent run speed.
I recommend a weapon that can pack a punch, but at the same time, has a good amount of swing speed.

These weapons I highly suggest:
All the Greatswords
All the Poleaxes
Great Long Axe
Both Long and Great Long Bardiche's
Bec De Corbin
Morningstar
Highland Claymore
Nodachi
Sword of War

As long as you flank the enemy behind and aim for the head with an overhead or side swing, you can easily get rid of enemies quick enough to keep moving.

For builds, I suggest running these builds:

18/21

(click to show/hide)

Strength: 18
Agility: 21
Hit points: 59
Skills to attributes: 8
Ironflesh: 3
Power Strike: 6
Shield: 0
Athletics: 7
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 7
One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 164
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1

21/18

(click to show/hide)

Strength: 21
Agility: 18
Hit points: 64
Skills to attributes: 8
Ironflesh: 4
Power Strike: 7
Shield: 0
Athletics: 6
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 6
One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 156
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1

You can switch the 2h to polearm if you want.

These are great 2h/polearm builds for maintaining speed/footwork and also hitting hard.




If you have an questions, just post in this thread or PM me on the forums. If anyone would like to add some information, that would be nice also.

[Magikarp]

Emm, isn't this common sense?

1. Don't get seen.
2. Flank.
3. Backrape?

[Born_to_lose]

Sounds pretty good ill try this out

[espooo]

Emm, isn't this common sense?

1. Don't get seen.
2. Flank.
3. Backrape?

I see people run straight into combat and die all the time. This will shine some light to people on how to maybe stay alive and kill some enemies.
There was no need for an ignorant post. I am just trying to help people out.

[espooo]

bump for knowledge 

[Heroin]

Good guide, imo. Kudos Espo for putting it together. It was like reading what I do on a daily basis, and one of the two builds you listed is precisely what I use, too. 

[gazda]

Now we only need how block with a shield tutorial and how to enter a server tutorial, and we are all set, full of knowledge and ready to go.

[rubicon_crossed]

Now we only need how block with a shield tutorial and how to enter a server tutorial, and we are all set, full of knowledge and ready to go.

Well, a lot of shielders actually have a tendency to get spammed to death by 2h/polearms because of holding their shields up for too long, instead of "click" blocking like you do when you're manually blocking.

[Leshma]

 

[espooo]

Good guide, imo. Kudos Espo for putting it together.

Thx 

[Shigeru]

And yet we still see a mob of people running head long into the middle of the battle. 

Stay out of danger, it increases the size of your E-Peen (ie, your K/D Ratio). 

Good stuff, I'd recommend adding the Katana to the list of weapons, it does quite a lot of damage especially when you're not running headlong into tin-cans who generally stick in the core of the battle. With a solid strength leaning build and a slice to the head you can insta-kill the majority of archers you come across, as well as swing fast enough to double tap any melee that is foolish enough to think they can stop you.

Best tip though is if you engage with a melee fighter for longer than 2-3 seconds and haven't managed to strike him or he seems competant run away from him and attack his pals.
Nine times out of ten it's his archer friends who will kill you if you remain distracted, and also usually they let their guard down and you can turn around for a quick slash if he gets too close.