Does formation make a difference?

[The_678]

When looking around in Gnomeeditor in the column for formations it says its for cosmetic purposes only. But when people are talking about reasons why the Turcoman Foot are the best they mention the fact that they are unformed. So does it actually matter? I prefer the look of perfectly_formed and like to change the look of my unique units to it. But if it actually hurts I wouldn't.

[RisingSun]

Though there are no actual in-game implements which do this, unformed "rabble" formations do make formations harder to kil; with arrows, since they are slightly staggered.

[bighairyman]

Wedge is +3 attack to assault, use it on offensive troops like sword and Axe armed units.

Line formation puts +3 to defense, use it on spear/pike troops or any units that's deafening.

The Loose formation is use for arrow attacks, the spacing between your soldiers makes them less ecpetiable to missile fire. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[Beirut]

Once a unit of my longbowmen are out of arrows, I wedge them. Makes it easier to see their status and they last a few seconds longer in defence or attack if it come to that.

[katank]

don't forget the -3 to defence while in wedge as this usually mean that they don't last so long.

use wedge for charging to have max splat impact and then switch to line formation to melee.

note that wedge is one of the best counters to the 1 line charge as the wedge has two fronts, a rear but no flanks

rabble formation is natural for turc horse, longbows, brigands, welsh bandits and some other units.

these make arrows harder to hit them and make them better skirmishers and missile duelers.

[motorhead]

@The_678 : check out this missile test thread (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=7264;st=25), 2nd page has some very interesting observations on missile unit formation, and Turcoman Foot in particular. I don't know that there is a definitive answer there, but certainly a very compelling argument.

[Goofball]

I love the effect of wedged royal knights charging into a unit of peasants. Devastation...

[katank]

me too. I like to also switch to 1 line after the wedge hits to have the kngihts wrap around the flanks.

instant rout occurs when the knights first punch clean through the peasants in a wedge and then wrap around them flanking em. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif

[octavian]

i know, isn't it a gorgeous sight, almost like janet jackson having a "wardrobe malfunction" http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif