Cantabrian (sp?) Circle

[soibean]

I was just wondering, what are the benefits of using this formation? I generally don't play cavalry oriented factions and I've never seen the computer use it so what is its purpose? Also does it give a boost to certain stats?

[Axel JD]

The Cantabrian Circle causes the unit to, instead of standing still and fire in volleys, to gallop in a great circle while the soldiers closest to the enemy fire individually. The effect is a never ending "drizzle" of arrows on the enemy which causes higher morale damage over time than in regular mode. The unit also becomes harder for the opposition to engage in close combat as the formation is very good at avoiding charging enemies, all slinky and sneaky like. The fact that it also becomes more spread out as well as being in constant movement makes it ideal for minimizing the effect of enemy missile fire, although the unit will tire much more quickly. It's the perfect formation for whittling down much bigger armies and usually forces the ither army to spread out, easy pickings for your combat cavalry who will charge them in the flanks or rear and smash 'em. :smash:

Imho this is the best formation that has ever been introduced (together with the phalanx) in any TW game, and unbelievably useful for the small and fragile but also very mobile horse archer armies. So... enjoy :beam:

[Foot]

I find this formation most useful for skirmishing cavalry equipped with javelins. In normal mode they usually only get off one volley before they retreat in front of an advancing enemy (then they halt pause fire retreat etc). With the cantabrian circle on they can move and fire far more effectively, whittling down a light enemy quite effectively.

Foot

[Watchman]

I've always wondered a bit though, did horse-archers also use such tactics ? Certainly that much galloping around doesn't seem particularly appropriate for the barded mounts...

[Parallel Pain]

The only time I found it actually useful was to waste the missiles of enemy horse archers with armored horse archers of my own.

Though it might have more morale damage over time, it does less damage in a given amount of time, and I need the damage for the decisive blow.

I should try it with skirmisher cavalry though.