BOTH elements are important and none is superior to the other. This guide is seperated into two sections along these lines. Obviously, in many cases the two types overlap. Pitched battles are elements of war of manuever and sieges are elements of positional warfare. Like the real world, warfare in EU2 consists of these two types. The goal of War of Maneuver is to destroy the ability of your enemy to fight. Things like speed, flexibility, and adaptation are more important than holding any single position on the battlefield. Elements of War of Maneuver are present in virtually all wars, particularly at the beginning and end phases. The Gulf War of 1991 is a classic example of War of Maneuver. War of Maneuver is the term often used to characterize the kind of warfare prevalent today and during brief periods of history the warfare of cavalry, tanks, and aircraft. The goal of Positional Warfare is to take and hold enemy territory. Things like elevation, artillery, and fortified positions are more important than sheer numbers of troops. Positional warfare gets its name from the emphasis on position, geography, and location of troops and fortifications. However, elements of positional warfare were present in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The last truly positional war in history was WWI. Positional Warfare is the term often used to characterize the kind of warfare present most often during the EU2 timeframe the warfare of sieges and fortifications.
![in age of empires 2 the conquerors how do you make enemies stop moveing in the editor in age of empires 2 the conquerors how do you make enemies stop moveing in the editor](https://assets.rockpapershotgun.com/images/2020/02/aoe2match2shot3.jpg)
I divide tactical warfare into two components positional warfare and war of manuever. I feel that despite Damo and Dukey's Guide there is a seriously lack of understanding in the community about tactical warfare. Should I move my army to Lorraine or Franche-Comte? Should I assault this fortress or not? These are questions of tactics, not strategy.
![in age of empires 2 the conquerors how do you make enemies stop moveing in the editor in age of empires 2 the conquerors how do you make enemies stop moveing in the editor](https://static.ageofempires.com/aoe/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/aoe2de_dec2019_patch_AI.png)
![in age of empires 2 the conquerors how do you make enemies stop moveing in the editor in age of empires 2 the conquerors how do you make enemies stop moveing in the editor](https://static.fandomspot.com/images/05/6549/05-rise-of-genghis-khan-age-of-empires-ii.jpg)
Tactical warfare is the down and dirty battlefield stuff. Should I ally with or against Poland? Should I invade Russia in winter? And so on. This guide is a focused essay on tactical warfare in the MP environment.