These work best with Pike units instead of hoplites, but can be used for hoplites as well. A point about phalanx is that they fell out of use, not because the formation itself was useless, it just seemed like it because the commanders did not use the supporting units well, peltasts were a key part of phalanx warfares, and you needed to protect your flanks as well, best with cavalry.
1) Bridge
Line up your phalanx at an angle with spears crossed over your end of the bridge. Have archers and/or slingers on the sides, and skirmishers/legionaries behind to throw javelins/pila. The enemy can't reform on your side because they are still trying to cross while your spears are stabbing them. Works even better with two or three rows of phalanx units, because heavy units or massed routing units can eventually push through the phalanx. If fighting Egypt or Rome, good to have onagers along because Egypt and Rome like to bring siege weapons with their armies. If a town, especially Corduba, keeps rioting, I will pull my army out and station at a bridge before they kick me out. This tactic works even if the enemy is a Gold sword/silver shield/2 gold chevron army like so many civil revolt armies are. Again, if they are that good, use two or three rows of phalanx units.
2) City
This is probably a duh, but barricade your streets with your phalanx, if you can pick a point where you can cross spears, even better. Large Roman/Greek cities work best as there are only two entrances to the town square, barricade at your town square, your towers will wipe out most of the enemies before they reach you.
3) Corner of Map
If you are in dire straits, have most units squeezed into the corner of the map, and line your phalanx up starting at one side and gradually curving to meet the other side of the edge of the corner. Give room for your missile units to fire. If you can use trees to prevent siege weapons from advancing, use that corner.
4) Attacking
Try to gain the upper ground (duh), and while the enemy is advancing, order your phalanx to move down the hill to attack the enemy. Did this with Phalanx pikemen, owned Early Legionary. Say what you will about Early Legionary, they still can kick tail with a lot of enemy infantry. Also make the enemy march to you if you can, to wear them out. Standard phalanx tactics apply, such as protecting your flank, and slamming into the back of the enemy with your cavalry after your phalanx pins them. Macedon and Seleucia are the best for this, as they have pikemen and heavy cav, have not tried Pontus. Thrace might work, but their cavalry is too light to use a slamming technique as effectively.
These tactics do not really work for the Europa Barbarorum mod, just the standard Rome Total War game.
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