questions about using phlanx formation. without problems

[ludwag]

hi, i often use phalanx. When i played vanilla rome, i used them to stand still and let the enemy charge them, but now i use them more flexible. But it comes a lot of problems.

Sometimes when i make them go into phalanxformation, they start running around and refroming very much, so that the enemy attack while not in formation. But sometimes they're just ok, and take the spears easily up and down when i ask.

Sometimes when i make them attack something when they are in formation, they start taking their spears all different ways, and sometimes the men starts flying and it looks like there are explotions inside. And sometimes they just dont use their spears.

So i wonder if there is any important thing i need to know. I have many problems with them, and i am sure there is some things i can do when using phalanx.

[Cambyses]

Well, Im sure some people can post more ezpert replies than me, but my 2 cents:

1. Wait for them to stop moving before asking them to change formation. Sometimes it looks like theyve stopped but some guys are still wriggling into the right lines. So at that time, press the backspace key to make them STOP and then after a couple of seconds ask them to reform.
2. Its better not to actually ask them to attack something directly while in phalanx mode. Just make them form a line about half a pike length away from what you want them to kill and they will start stabbing it soon enough. Some people suggest that you actually get them to form up and then order them to "move" to a point on the other side of the unit you want them to attack. Personally Ive not found this effective on hard difficulty level, but other people may have different experiences.
3. My main tactic with pahalnxes on defence is just to stand still at the place you want to fight and let the enemy jump on the pikes. I will often change the angle of facing to help this process, but rarely take them out of formation except when I want them to charge someone in the rear with their secondary weapon :)
4. On offence I run them in a line hard into the faces of the enemy. Stop about a javelin thow away, press backspace and then form a phalanx wall, now the enemy is so close they cannot try and run around the phalanx and have to fight you at least partially head on. Yes I know this double timing isnt historically accurate but the AI doesnt seem to respect battle lines once it gets within charging range, plus all that milling around just annoys me where you try and target a unit to move against and it promtly turns right and heads to the end of the line...
5. I only ever target a unit directly if charging with the secondary weapons, otherwise I always initiate combat by drawing a line with the troops at an approppriate distance. In combat if the enemy is attacking me from an angle, I will change the facing of the phalanx to stop that (or if Im fighting another phalanx to give me the advantage...).

That's all I can think of :) You just need to be patient and do everything twice as slowly as you would expect to.

[chenkai11]

Phalanx is the most complicated unit to control, you can't really control them as flexible as you want.

There are too many things need to know how to control a phalanx unit in battle with maximum effect, there are factors too you need to consider like the terrain or fighting in a narrow street. I am too lazy now to tell you all that. But I can answer some of your questions.

They use swords if phalanx mode is off. And if phalanx mode is on and they still use swords, click attack again to switch back to spears.
They are fighting in guard mode on and phalanx mode on, and surrounded by enemies. Then you switch off guard mode and phalanx mode, they will push hard and some units will "explode".

There are other experts can help you further.

[Maion Maroneios]

Actually, controlling phalanxes is something that you more or less teach yourself by using them extensively. I, for one, have been playing pike-based faction from since I first got RTW, so I know some tricks and stuff if you're interested. But basically, if you have played with them long enough, you will know when your unit is going to act dumb or not. For example, an enemy is running back to their city square and you want to block their way with a unit (preferably 2) of pikemen. If your men haven't formed neat lines and are still running around when the enemy comes within sarissa length, it's almost 100% sure you're going to get creamed.

Maion

[ludwag]

I am intrested, can you tell me. I have many problems now that I have started using it offensively. I have found out a good way so it dont get bad. when I am going to attack something tell them to go behind the enemy, and when they meet they will stop and attack them without problems. but I need to know much more.

[Maion Maroneios]

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. I'll try to answer them to you as analytical as possible.

Maion

[konny]

Manouvering phalanx is much eaysier when using a close to square formation instead of a line (that is on huge settings).

[Ibrahim]

Manouvering phalanx is much eaysier when using a close to square formation instead of a line (that is on huge settings).

It also works on large as well. in fact, it probably works better, since you have only to move 122, not 242 men in formation.

also, I'd like to add that its best to add a little space between phalanx and phalanx (about 2-3m), so they don't bump into one another. as the phalanxes provide mutual defence at such short distance, its perfectly safe.

[ludwag]

i allways have huge gaps between phalanxes. makes everything easyer and amkes my lines bigger. and i use a normal square formation in most cases.