Best Formations

[salemty]

rlucid what is ur favourite formation for jullii versing gaul

[RLucid]

Something that lets me hold their initial onrush, stop & counter-attack their cavalry charges, and permit maneuver to obtain force advantage at the decisive point, where the rout starts.

In my experience, Hastati need to be 4 deep, with "normal" unit size, they tend to be 3 deep which is too thin, and lead to enemy cavalry breaking through, into "soft centre".

Like to have Archers somewhat on left 2nd line, protected by spearmen who can advance, once I know the direction of enemy cavalry charge.

I use Javellin men extensively as force multipliers, they may only do 5-10% of damage, but 10% is about 1/3 of casualties to provoke a rout, so are significant help to Hastati.

The 2nd / 3rd armies, have to have more Javellin men, to make up for lack of Archers (try taking Salona + Segestica, early in game before Brutii), as well as Massillia, Segesta, Patavium & Mediolanum. Once I have Archery field, the barbs are toast, the game becomes very easy. Until then, Illyrian mercs are good substitute, hard hitting missile, cheap upkeep (only 130dn/turn) but have the drawback, that they are more likely to waste themselves through ill-discipline.

That's the point, your initial deployment is much less important than you think. What really matters, is that you can counter enemy moves, and set up an advantage, preferably 2-4 units (including missile men) v 1 unsupported unit, where you plan the rout. Cavalry Superiority is then essential to make battle decisive and deal with routers.