Destroying Phalanxes - A single battle AAR

Only recently have I discovered the usefulness of guard mode for demolishing phalanxes. Maybe this is old news to some of you, but I didn't know it. Sorry for no pictures, but I didn't consider it that great until I saw the results.

I am playing a campaign as the Romans (insane economic potential ftw, I am making over 30k a turn, and supporting a very large military capable of that is kicking so much sarissa in Makedonian Unified Greece, and holding off hordes of Gallic barbarians), and have discovered that the huge armor of my Pedites Extrodinarii makes them extraordinarily effective at holding all phlananxes in place while my other heavy infantry circle around and tackle them from the back. I recently had a huge battle versus 2 stacks of elite and reformed phalangites, along with some light infantry, hoplites (levy and classical), a royal guard unit, and a royal peltastoi unit, and a unit of hellenic skirmisher cavalry. I had a general, a unit of equites extrodinarii, 6 units of pedites extrodinarii, 6 units of principes, 4 units of triarii, and 2 units of mercenary Kretian archers. I roleplayed it as the biggest threat to Rome was not Carthage, but the might of Makedonia, which was pretty much true, so my armies were very, very heavy armies.

I placed my army in a maniple formation where the PEs formed the frontline, with the principes occupying layer 2. The triarii guarded my flanks and my cavalry and my archers roamed behind at will. I decided that a new military era called for new military tactics - so I put my main line in guard mode, and let the enemy approach me.

My archers and my pila destroyed the light infantry, which helped a lot. My triarii engaged the heavy infantry, which tried to flank me. The enemy phalanxes engaged my PEs, which thanks to their wonderfully high defense and guard mode took very few casualties - like 5 or so each. My principes and unengaged triarii circled around back and demolished them.

In the end? Casualties were 30-to-1 in a battle that on auto-calc slightly favored the AI. Heroic victory, and famous battle.

The back of the Makedonian war machine is broken, and their land is mine to take. All that worries me is one large garison up north on the Illyrian coast. Everything else is easy pickings.

I may turn this into a full campaign AAR, based on an alternate history where Makedon was the big threat to Rome and Carthage was a good trading partner, if an early rival. Would anyone read it?

Great battle! I strongly encourage you to turn it into a campaign AAR. I'd read it.

A :balloon2: if you do.

Never knew it. Good to know.

If you make an AAR, it might put me outta business (see below plz). But it'd be fun to read!

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Originally Posted by gamegeek2

Never knew it. Good to know.

If you make an AAR, it might put me outta business (see below plz). But it'd be fun to read!

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Balloon inflation is something I take very seriously. I intend to keep the value of balloons high, so as not to devalue the :balloon2:s of others.

Also, expect an intro to the AAR within a week.

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Originally Posted by Cbvani

Balloon inflation is something I take very seriously.

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How right you are. Balloons are valuable and we should keep them that way. I am serious.

Interesting how you used your PEs but I normally lose sizable amounts of them even if I go against levy pike phalanxes. I normally use other methods to combat the phalanxes. They are still my favorite Roman infantry though.

As for the AAR, I'd love to read it. I enjoy every Romani AAR. Just as long as it is not too roleplayed.

Looking forward to reading it!!!

We´re still looking forward. I hope you get this up, I´ve got a feeling I´m going to love it.

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Originally Posted by General Appo

We´re still looking forward. I hope you get this up, I´ve got a feeling I´m going to love it.

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...yeah.
Apologies, everyone. AARs are HARD.
Also, my empire is currently the largest, having just kicked Makedonia out of Europe. My finances are insane, my army is unstoppable, and the challenge is gone. I don't have any real interest in continuing such an easy campaign. Any conquering will only INCREASE the easiness, and waiting around 10-odd years in game just to face a strong opponent won't be any fun, because by then I'll hit the Marian reforms and be essentially unstoppable.

Yeah, the Romans have it pretty easy in this game. But you're making it even easier through the composition of your armies. Loading up on pedites extraordinarii, principes and triarii is not historically accurate. A full Roman stack would have no more than 2 extraordinarii, with equal numbers of hastati and principes and a 2:1 manipular ratio of principes to triarii. And some typical Roman missile units would be in there as well. With your lineup, you're really stacking the deck.

I would suggest that you search these forums for the many threads on historical faithful army composition -- konny and others have written extensively on this topic, with alot of great advice. This is most relevant, of course, if you have at least a passing interest in playing with at least a little historical accuracy...your choice.