Phalanx - a useful ability

I don´t know whether or not this has been posted already, but yesterday, toying around a bit, I found out I can make any infantry unit a phalanx unit just by adding the phalanx to the possible formations. While that itself isn´t quite that remarkable, something else is useful: This unit will automatly get the pikes in their hands (they´ll need the appropriate spearfighter animation skeleton, still), overwriting any weapon the unit might be holding. This weapon still can be used as a secondary weapon, at least I suppose so, however, no seconday weapon is strictly required for phalanxes. I tested this with the Warhammer mod spearmen.
With the attriutes long_pike or short_pike you can choose whether they should have the very long spears like levy pikemen, or short spears (really looking like spears, and about man-size). Using none will get them the medium-length pikes. The attribute "spear" doesn´t (as far as I know so far) alter the appearance, nor is it an exclusive phalanx-able attribute, but gives mount effects without having to type them out specifically.

Probalby I´ll get chewed for stating something obvious...

Just to clarify, the 'spear' attribute controls charge bonus reflection, and also adds a bonus against all cavalry. The mount effects can then be used to fine-tune the unit's strength against different types of cavalry.

*chews Ciaran for stating something this ovious*

What? I was hungry.

Jerome> so a 'spear' attribute will give you bonus against ALL types of charges? Not just cavalry charges?
Is it true like in the help file that it gives you penalty fighting infantry with the spear attribute?
Also, I'm assuming this attribute works on any unit, regardless of what kind of weapon they're using and not a phalanx unit?

Thanks! :) It's great you guys are taking the time to answer our questions.

How large are these mount effects? Does a spear give a +4 attack bonus against one type of cavalry, but +8 against another? Example?

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Originally Posted by wlesmana

Jerome> so a 'spear' attribute will give you bonus against ALL types of charges? Not just cavalry charges?
Is it true like in the help file that it gives you penalty fighting infantry with the spear attribute?
Also, I'm assuming this attribute works on any unit, regardless of what kind of weapon they're using and not a phalanx unit?

Thanks! :) It's great you guys are taking the time to answer our questions.

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I think the spear attribute gives the unit that has it a charge bonus, not one when it is charged, though both would make sense. The spear attribute is, as far as I know, not limited to phalanx units, though it does make sense to give phalanxes the spear attribute.