Stronghold (2001)/Carving a Path

This mission has you on theun from the Wolf's forces, and the quickest way you can get to safety is to break through one of the Pig's fortifications. The mission is complete if you can defeat all enemy soldiers within the time limit.

This mission is also difficult due to the defenses - the enemy will prioritize attacking the ranged units first, has two sections of the fort that need to be breached, has archers on multiple towers, and has a moat.

Frontal assault
A blind frontal assault is dangerous, but will work if performed properly.

Advance the western-most spearmen and your battering ram. Order the spearmen to start digging the moat, and when there's space cleared, have the battering ram attack the gatehouse. During the assault, you will need to distract the enemy from the front line by having a few archers approach to draw enemy fire.

When the gate is about to fall, have all your spearmen and macemen approach the front gate, switch them to aggressive mode, and pull back your ranged units. When the gate collapses, your units should be able to clear out the gate. Keep pressing the attack - the battering ram should start attacking the second gatehouse. Additionally, you can have your laddermen enter the fort, and place them against the second wall.

When your troops enter the inner fort, have your ranged units return to combat, preferably in one of the enemy's towers. As the enemy mostly has ranged units, your macemen should make short work of the rest.

South-west flank
This alternate route allows attacking the main base without having to deal with the strong front-line defense. This tactic was easier in earlier versions of the game, which didn't have the moat extend to the south-west.

To make the south-west flank attack, move all your units to the hill southwest of the enemy fort, while making sure they stay out of range of the enemy archer. This will draw about six macemen outside the fort, which should make the melee easier.

Commence digging the moat, pulling back once you made a gap. Order your tunnelers to dig to try breaking down the enemy walls. When the tunnels reach the destination, resume the normal siege with the battering ram on the weakest wall section, and get your melee units ready.