what formation is best...

[Cedrik]

Hi, I need to get some things about formation clear...
Attacking:
Cavalry = wedge.
Spearmen = front rows 3-4 ranks deep
swordsmen = front rows 3-4 ranks deep
archers = front rows 2-3 ranks deep(loose if the are taking enemy artillery).

defending:
Cavalry = wedge, ready to flank.
Spearmen = front rows 5-6 ranks deep
swordsmen = front rows 3-4 ranks deep( or wedge) ready to flank.
archers = front rows 2-3 ranks deep.

Please correct me if im wrong and what about halberdiers and militia sargeants??

[Wizard of Evil]

I have never used wedge formation for my swordsmen (or axemen as i am mostly playing Turkish faction now), the close formation seems to be good in charging. As for spearmen i try to keep them elbow to elbow, 4-5 ranks deep, all covering their flank. I try to use the axe guys on the flanks of the spears and try to prevent the enemy cavalry from flanking. And lastly i order the cavalry to make a big circle and approach the enemy archers from either behind or from their flanks, of course in wedge formation. When the archers finish they move on to approach the enemy.

Well here is the plan, if it goes ok it becomes a solid line of defense for me, but only if it goes ok; eh i only manage to make this perfectly 2 or 3 times http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Lord Of Storms]

using your spearmen in a formation will also give you bonuses as follows ,+1 bonus to attack per 2 ranks, +1 bonus to defense per rank and +1 bonus to charge per rank these apply only if the spear/pike unit is in an orderly formation i.e. when charging or attacking use the hold formation key . With the wedge I think it goes +3 for attack and - 3 defense and for holding formation it is a + 2 defense - 2 attack. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[malkuth]

Sounds feasable. Give it a try.

Wedge is a tricky one though Post patch. You might loose more people using it then you would of it you just attacked regular deep formation.

Of course it can be very devestation for a flanking attack.

[Tyrac]

Vs AI and Vs Multi player is very different.
Vs AI if all you care about is the win then form a half circle of spears around your bow and melee at the map edge and win ALL fights. I saw some screen shots that made the formation VERY clear about a week ago. Use your search function.
As to MP.... well log on and let some 16 year old pwn you and try to copy his battle plan.
unless you can clik as fast as a teenager then just skip it as you will be crushed.

As for individual units it is easy. They are basically pure attack to pure defense. Wedge to hold.

[Grothgar]

Frankly i think that Longbowmen should be devestating in Wedge formation, because this was the actual formation they were deployed in. It meant that they could all fire in almost exactly the same direction without having to adjust their aim unlike if you were spread out over a wide area.

However if you try to use the wedge formation in MTW then you get about 3 shots off http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif So you have to use the line, but its not right i tell you http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

[Michael the Great]

Well,it's better to charge spearmen/pikemen in engage at will because every man will charge the enemy and u have a better chance of breaking them....however,u will lose the rank bonus and will be thrashed by superior melee fighting units(swordsmen,axemen)

[econ21]

Not sure about swordsmen and other shock infantry 3-4 deep. I like to spread them out in a row of 2, to maximise the charge bonus - I often only have one unit of 60 at either flank - and to possibly lap around the flanks after the target after the initial clash. A lot of people have recommended similar formations for heavy cavalry. A wedge may be better for flanking, though - as the initial frontage for a flank attack is usually not very big, but I usually avoid it. I'll have to try it more. Of course, the AI is so dumb, you can often march behind its men in melee and line up behind them before charging in. I tend to be too impatient for that though...

I always used to put archers on loose, but that tends to over-extend my lines. After seeing the photo referred to, I may try a tighter formation with spear units all touching each other - I gather the inaccuracy from having 3 deep archers in close is not a big deal.