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Thread: Wedge Formation
Do you use wedge formation with cavalry and infantry units? I've found it seems to be better if you just line the unit up so that it can wrap around the flanks, or at least cover as much surface area as possible. WEdge formation just seems to get my units killed because they get seperateed. Anyone have any thouhgts on how to use this effectively?
Supposedly, there is a +3 atk & -3 def for the unit using wedge. It can make sense to use this with flanking units, as long as you watch their back.
I don't use it much mainly because of the defense penalty. It basically speeds up the killing on both sides. The formation should be used for a devastating flank attack or to break up enemy lines. It can also be used to sneak your unit between a tight gap.
If I remember correctly, the "point" of the wedge it the unit leader, so your king's unit should never be put into wedge formation.
If I remember correctly, the "point" of the wedge it the unit leader, so your king's unit should never be put into wedge formation.
highland clansemen are a good wedge unit against basic spears, as are gallowglasses and ghazi infantry, so as to break the spear formation to pieces. I've actually insta-routed lesser spears with a straight on wedge before. Even if you don't, it'll make the enemy unit very vulnerable to flank attacks.
Wedge is best used with smaller units like Cavalry or depleted intantry, and can increase the attacking power of the unit dramatically. I almost exclusively use Wedge formation when using lighter cavalry to rear strike a unit as it boosts their attack and their defense is usually so bad that making it worse is no real loss. Gallowglasses and Highland Clansmen are good examples of this.
A unit in Wedge formation charging into a flank, or even better - rear will cause havoc. I've even used vanilla Archers in a Wedge as an effective flanking unit.
Why use it only when flanking and not face to face? Because face to face you'll feel the full effect of the -3 defense penalty, while in a flank attack, it takes a while for the enemy to fight back, and fewer of them are able to because they are already enganged meaning you get all the +3 attack benefit, but are less affected by the -3 def penalty.
A unit in Wedge formation charging into a flank, or even better - rear will cause havoc. I've even used vanilla Archers in a Wedge as an effective flanking unit.
Why use it only when flanking and not face to face? Because face to face you'll feel the full effect of the -3 defense penalty, while in a flank attack, it takes a while for the enemy to fight back, and fewer of them are able to because they are already enganged meaning you get all the +3 attack benefit, but are less affected by the -3 def penalty.
Hiding your Ghazis in the woods in wedge formation and having them emerge and hit the enemy in the flank is always a good strategy. I tend to switch back to line after the initial charge has ended.
The way I use wedge formation is purely for shock. E.g. I'll charge my cavalry at what I believe is a wavering unit - even spearmen in some cases. Then obviously I find out that it wasn't wavering at all and either pull my troops out or change back to normal formation. 
So really, if it doesn't break on impact, pull back for spears or pin them down in line formation. Well, that's just the way I use it... I'm not sure what others do.
Oh and this reminds me:
So really, if it doesn't break on impact, pull back for spears or pin them down in line formation. Well, that's just the way I use it... I'm not sure what others do.
Oh and this reminds me:
Originally Posted by drone:
If I remember correctly, the "point" of the wedge it the unit leader, so your king's unit should never be put into wedge formation.
In one of my very first campaigns, some rebels had appeared in my king's province - completely outnumbered and still new to the game I had no clue what to do. One of the very first things I did during the battle was charge all my cavalry (including my king + heirs) in wedge formation straight into the heart of the enemy line. Needless to say it failed miserably and my remaining army had suffered greatly from the loss in morale. I ended up with just one heir left (who became king the next turn) and had one less province then I did before. If I remember correctly, the "point" of the wedge it the unit leader, so your king's unit should never be put into wedge formation.
Originally Posted by caravel:
Hiding your Ghazis in the woods in wedge formation and having them emerge and hit the enemy in the flank is always a good strategy. I tend to switch back to line after the initial charge has ended.
Hiding your Ghazis in the woods in wedge formation and having them emerge and hit the enemy in the flank is always a good strategy. I tend to switch back to line after the initial charge has ended.
using the woods i a good idea in most cases... on places with woods or hills wih woods i leave a bait unit out and use the troops in an alaxander type hammer and anvil move.
The wedge is really good like you said in those cases
Originally Posted by drone:
If I remember correctly, the "point" of the wedge it the unit leader, so your king's unit should never be put into wedge formation.
On the plus side, the frontal wedge will hit the opponent's general with all it's power. You can instantly kill the enemy king this way (or your general dies horribly, depending on what unit that's stronger If I remember correctly, the "point" of the wedge it the unit leader, so your king's unit should never be put into wedge formation.
), so it works both ways.Originally Posted by Drone:
If I remember correctly, the "point" of the wedge it the unit leader, so your king's unit should never be put into wedge formation.
Actually, I think it's a bit more subtle than this - the individual men with the highest personal valour in the unit go into the van. This isn't necessarily the unit leader - I have on occasion put units into wedge formation and the unit flag (which usually hovers over the leader, I believe) has appeared well back in the unit, and not in the van.If I remember correctly, the "point" of the wedge it the unit leader, so your king's unit should never be put into wedge formation.
Try it out on a unit where the leader has a valour-reducing vice like gluttony and you'll probably see this effect
Originally Posted by macsen rufus:
Actually, I think it's a bit more subtle than this - the individual men with the highest personal valour in the unit go into the van. This isn't necessarily the unit leader - I have on occasion put units into wedge formation and the unit flag (which usually hovers over the leader, I believe) has appeared well back in the unit, and not in the van.
Try it out on a unit where the leader has a valour-reducing vice like gluttony and you'll probably see this effect
Are you sure about this? Though I must admit I could use wedge formation more often, I've never seen this happen. I've seen however a unit leader going down and then being replaced by someone down the ranks Actually, I think it's a bit more subtle than this - the individual men with the highest personal valour in the unit go into the van. This isn't necessarily the unit leader - I have on occasion put units into wedge formation and the unit flag (which usually hovers over the leader, I believe) has appeared well back in the unit, and not in the van.
Try it out on a unit where the leader has a valour-reducing vice like gluttony and you'll probably see this effect
I could be wrong, though it would be the first time this year
(joke)/KotR
I only use the wedge if i rly need to split a unit apart and then kill it. And i only use is if i can afford to lose my troops because yea it gets them merced quick
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