Units Depth

[FasT]

For melee only.
Why use 4 deep why use 5 or higher?
And what the difference? http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/confused.gif
Which units best depth?

4 deep best
great balance between a formation that holds well + one who spreads the unit evenly and widely.

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[JAG]

has to be said i am with tera on this one. . 4 is best! tho sometimes i use 3 if i want to bridge a gap!

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Lets rain bullets on them. . but make sure you bring the Umberella!


WarlordWarrior

[Kocmoc]

i dont agree,

this 4 rows deep is just a feeling, and a question of space on the battlefield.

but u guys ever tryed a 2 rows deep nc on any other unit u normaly attack with?

u will be surprised what the difference is.

u kill the same ammount of mens, BUT
u lose less men urself and u kill a bit faster, not sure how many secs faster. but faster...

there are some more different use of this...
i will tell to an other time...

koc

[BanzaiZAP]

Also, depends on what the unit is doing.

Defending, using Hold Formation/Hold Position, and if they're going to be there a while, I'll use a deeper formation (4-5 rows). That way, the guys in back are resting, and are fresher when they finally engage an enemy. Likewise, more rows can sometimes allow for a more compact army formation. Cramming onto hilltop, for example.

Attacking, I usually go for wider formation (2-3 rows). This gives a better chance for some men to get around on the flanks of the defenders. Also, in a charge, it means more of your troops actually connect with the charge. If there are too many men in the way, they lose the charging bonus.

I once had a unit strung out in one row, so I could search for the last hiding units more quickly. Also, if it is a distraction unit, like gang of spearmen harrassing the cavalry, I'll usually have them bunch up. Tighter formations maneuver more quickly.

The final word? be flexible. Adapt the unit formation to fit the situation. I usually start at four rows, and adapt as the battle goes on.

-- B)


[This message has been edited by BanzaiZAP (edited 01-15-2002).]

[tootee]

Quote Originally posted by Kocmoc:
i dont agree,
but u guys ever tryed a 2 rows deep nc on any other unit u normaly attack with?

u will be surprised what the difference is.

u kill the same ammount of mens, BUT
u lose less men urself and u kill a bit faster, not sure how many secs faster. but faster...

koc[/QUOTE]

It probably have to do with the charge bonus. A NC in wider formation will have more men applying the charge bonus on impact, and if vs foot troops except spears, they get more kill in the 1st few round of melee. Afterwhich switches back to normal melee. I can assume that in this case of a wider front, at the onstart of normal melee the ratio of NC:enemy will be better compared to the case of less wide front, and should translate to an overall less death or more kill as the 1v1 melee continues.

EDIT: or same kill but end faster as koc had said

[This message has been edited by tootee (edited 01-15-2002).]

[theforce]

I always have my units in 4 lines(ys and defencive units) and other hand to hand units in 5 lines. I shall try what you have said kocmoc

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Koc, but then 2 men deep cavalry is damn huge to manouver...hehe.
4 deep is also a good size.

But I tested this KOC, and you're right on the effeciveness of 2 deep formations, but still...

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Honour to Clan Kenchikuka (http://www.kenchi.cjb.net/).
I'm from Malta, but I'm not a Malteser. http://terazawa.totalwar.org/malta_md_clr.gif
Visit my resource site here! (http://terazawa.totalwar.org/)

[BakaGaijin]

Perhaps the Maneuvering Wedge, Charging Close technique can be applied in this situation. I already use it to good effect with 3-row Cav Archer units.

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"If your soul is imperfect, living will be difficult." -- Ryo Hayabusa, DOA2