New, trying to get into game-but i am failing

[Gandalf Parker]

Also, be sure to notice if you have units that put out auras of heat, cold, or poison. Put them off to the sides.

Flyers can be positioned way to the rear since they will reach their targets in one round anyway. If you have a flyer leader have it fire/cast a round or two then attack rear, have the other flyers guard commander. That way the melee troops around the enemy commander will already have run forward and selected targets before you fly in.

Dont leave your leaders standing together unless you leave a bunch of cheap troops back there with "guard commander" orders.

If a leader dies his troops will rout so melee leaders should be sure to stay out of combat with order of "stay behind troops". Or you can have them fire/cast a couple of rounds, then attack. That Last is one I like for merc commanders.

Some units like elephants can rout easily. Set them off to the side so that if they charge back in rout they wont trample your troops.

There are many units which are weak, cheap, maybe rout easily, but are fast (lots of AP). These can be used to create crowds off to the sides with orders to attack rear. Them rushing enemy archers and mages can save you alot of grief even if they just keep them busy long enough for the real troops to get there. They can also take out routing enemy which will increase your chance of picking up magic items from the battle.

Mixing weapon types can keep you from losing a large squad to the wrong enemy. Instead of clicking on one type of troop a bunch of times I like to click across grabbing one of each of many type. I mix units such as sword, spear, axe, hammer, mace. But it can be bad to mix different morals since low ones routing can take your heavy troops with them.

Crossbows should be set JUST behind your forward squad with orders to shoot at closest enemy. They do great damage to armored troops.