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[entremet]

I'm currently playing Skulls of Shogun and I'm getting owned in the second level. The one with the archers. Previous to that I attempted to play Advance Wars Dual Strike and I got stuck mid game I believe. None of games would be considered hard for most fans of the genre. They're actually considered entry level.

But I've been mostly an action gamer most of life, with a bit of JRPGs here and there--which are not really hard nor require much strategy. So my strategic chops are weak.

Any basic tips that will help across the genre?

 

[Lautaro]

Don't rush but make sure to hit first. In many TBS games a unit gets weakened when loses HP so even if it hits you later it will be with less strength.

If I can't reach an enemy unit to hit it, I'll try to locate my unit just outside their range so they can't hit me in the next turn but near enough for me to hit them next.

Don't isolate your units, sometimes advancing one of your units to get an easy kill could make it get in an ambush or too close to other enemy units. Better be careful and plan always with the next turns in mind.

 

[Aureon]

Hit first. (If the enemy has range 6, move at distance 7, etc)
Focus fire - never split. Ideally,
Never allow the enemy to get it's first hit on squishies. This depends on the game.
Unless the game is broken, stacking all-melee or all-ranged teams is a bad idea. ESPECIALLY all-archer teams.

 

[chickdigger802]

it sadly really depends on the game. Some games encourage sticking together for buffs while others disencourage that was punishing aoe moves, or some have both as a tradeoff thing.

really, the only near universal tip is to stay out of enemy attack range, so they waste a turn to move over. if you can, always get the first hit.

like with all rpgs, focus fire on a single or a few units at a time depending on scenario. spreading the damage sounds better on paper, but a wounded enemy will still fight back, while a dead enemy is dead.

 

[Celegus]

Might help to know what you're currently doing. Hopefully you're not sending lone units into enemy territory by themselves? Always pay attention to what you know the enemy has, and what you can do to counter it. So I guess learn what counters what and always have a reason for everything you do.

 

[redcrayon]

They tend to use different systems though- skills in one aren't necessarily transferable between each other.

Generally, however, the following works in turn-based tactics games:
A) Work out the paper/scissor/stone vulnerability orders. In Fire Emblem, swords beat axes, which beat lances, which best swords. In Advance Wars, Mech Infantry beat tanks, which beat recon, which beat infantry, and helicopters beat tanks which beat AA guns which beat helicopters.
B) if you have units that can inflict damage without getting hurt back, such as archers in most SRPGs, use them first. If the game engine allows return strikes, you are obviously better off using your melee units to finish off units which won't get to strike back and hurt them.
C) killing units to reduce the number of options the enemy has is better than crippling multiple units. It also has the advantage of simplifying the battlefield and making it easier to read for you.
D) in games with resources, like Advance Wars, a good mark of success is whether you are gaining more per turn than the enemy. Prioritise holding and defending resource points.
E) try to only engage in battles that are to your advantage. If you have to fight and can't beat an enemy unit, make sure it can only kill your lowest value unit while you prepare a strategy to beat it. This works particularly well on large enemy units that only get one move per turn- E.G. An enemy super-heavy tank can pretty much wipe out any one of your units per turn, so you may as well throw an already crippled unit to hold the bridge it wants to cross, buying you a turn to build an anti-tank gun for the lowest price. Alternatively, make sure the fight takes place where it limits the number of enemy that can fight and the amount of healing/repairs required from you. In Advance Wars, form your defensive lines on buildings to repair your troops. In most tactics games you can analyse the terrain to check which squares have defence/attack bonuses that might make them a good front line for you, typically high points and rough ground.
F) work out optimum formations and stick with them. E.G. APC units in advance wars resupply all units adjacent to them, so a formation of rocket launchers in a diamond shape can all be resupplied at once if the APC is in the middle. Same goes for any 'leader' abilities in SRPGs, e.g. An ability that mKes everyone stronger within 2 squares. Obviously you are better off moving that unit first and then have everyone else move and claim the benefit.
G) be flexible. Some enemy troops make being aggressive a better option, some make being defensive a better option. You are better off learning to play a game with a balanced selection of troops, as you will then have the knowledge of how to specialise from there, I.e. 'I need more archers/helicopters for this battle'. If you try to play with a broken list you found on the Internet, you just won't have the depth of knowledge to be able to adapt.

 

[FunkyLounge]

Get rid of them one by one! Do not split your fire, it leads to you unit being bombarded all the time. Be wary of using the proper elements (if your game has them). The most important thing is - they are turn based for a reason. Don't rush it. Think it through and have a plan at least 3 turns ahead. Think your strategy through while not in combat.

This approach carries me through even the more difficult RPGs out there. Just take your time.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

The basic rule for any turn based game is to think about what the other guys obvious move is when you make a move and if his move is stronger you try to think of something else.

The best quality of a good player is that they can imagine further ahead into the future when playing an opponent of similar skill.

 

[Bravocado]

Sometimes, the best offense is a good defense.

 

[Kssio_Aug]

Never mind! I read turn based rpg.

 

[Famassu]

Taking out weaklings first is a good way to advance in at least some situations. The less there are people who can harm you on the battlefield, the better.

If you have ranged attackers (mages, bow(wo)men etc.), use those to weaken melee attackers first. Don't forget to protect them, though.

If there is a huge damage dealer on the enemy's side, try to kill that soldier/whatever as efficiently as possible. Once you do decide to kill a strong enemy, really focus attacks on him so that he won't get more chances to attack your troops than necessary. Try to take strong opponents out within a single turn if possible.

As you advance through a level, try to do it so that you spread the damage your own troops take as evenly as possible, especially in turn-based games that don't have too many cure/healing items/spells/whatever. That way no one becomes dead weight/useless for you (since usually a melee attacker who has very little HP left can't really do anything since any enemy can kill them with a single strike).

Learn to read the situation. Often being defensive is the best way to go, especially if you are not experienced in TBS games, but sometimes it's good to take chances and be aggressive.

 

[thelurkinghorror]

One universal tip? Yes, every fail is part of enjoyment

 

[clay_ghost]

Don't leave your weak unit in the open! IF you can't kill the enemy that is within your weak unit range in that turn , try to move/rescue your weak unit away or place your stronger unit around your weak unit as a barrier.

 

[NIN90]

Most enemy TBS AI patterns are easily exploitable by moving your characters just enough towards the enemy so they trigger them to move towards you. This will give you the first strike in most cases.

 

[RiggyRob]

It depends on the game and your natural playing style, but try switching between aggressive play and conservative play - e.g. Fire Emblem rewards conservative play (healing a character so they don't die can be more beneficial than defeating an enemy) but Advance Wars rewards aggressive play (getting the hit on other units first weakens their counterattack).

 

[Aaron-Lagann]

For Disgaea games: Mages all day every day forever.

For every other game: Patience. Literally that is the only thing I can say about strategy and tactics that wouldn't be the same as just reading a book on the subject. Just take your time making your moves while taking into account every possible outcome of every action. I know it sounds like the obvious answer, but it's really the only answer that applies to every type of strategy game. Most SRPGs are all about how you can manipulate the systems in place or using whatever characters are overpowered to your advantage, but all of that differs from game to game.

 

[Sinatar]

Most enemy TBS AI patterns are easily exploitable by moving your characters just enough towards the enemy so they trigger them to move towards you. This will give you the first strike in most cases.

Yup, this is the big one. Always keeps your guys just outside of the effective attack range of the enemy, make them move in on you so you get the first shot at them.

 

[thefro]

- The more resources you have to make stuff, the better. You want to grab what you can and take away the enemy's ability to make stuff.
- Healing/resupplying units is pretty critical.
- You may want to sacrifice weak, cheap units to save your stronger, more expensive units or to buy time for you to react to an enemy attack.
- If the game has fog of war you may want a unit that can see far distances (so you can see what you're going into).
- Use the terrain to your advantage.
- If some of your units have special abilities/powers, take advantage of them at key times.

As others have mentioned, attack first and know the strengths/weaknesses of your units against other units. And focus your fire instead of spreading it out.