Expensive phalanxes not worthwhile

[duncan.gill]

Does anyone agree that buying expensive phalanx troops (vs cheap ones) is not worthwhile - even if they come head to head a cheap unit will take a long time to be wittled down by an expensive one (which provides ample opportunity for flanking). Also against non-phalanx units the cheap units are almost equally effective (provided that the wall is not penetrated).

[Bumbar]

For city garrisons, cheap ones are better, but for offensive army cutting down losses during battles means you can advance faster without waiting for reinforcements. So, if you have the economy to afford them, better phalanxes will enable faster advance.

[stupac]

They can be expensive, but they are unstoppable tanks on the battlefield. The selucid and makedonian silver shields will often fight to the last man even if flanked, and their superior close combat and armor makes them pretty tough and more versatile. I use them frequently, but usually only 1 or 2 units to stick on the flanks in tough battles.

[QuintusSertorius]

I just had three units of not-even-full-strength reformed Makedonian phalangites seriously chew up my Roman army. They had silver chevron experience, but even so, they could have fought on til Armageddon came.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Cheap phalangites die relatively fast in comparison to high-end phalangites.

[Beefy187]

I hate fighting phalanx. This just shows how good they are.. Even if I charge couple heavy cavalry couple times they seem to last longer then other spear/sword units.

Expensive phalanx in the enemy army means prepare to have heavy casualty for me...

[Ayce]

They can be expensive, but they are unstoppable tanks on the battlefield. The selucid and makedonian silver shields will often fight to the last man even if flanked, and their superior close combat and armor makes them pretty tough and more versatile. I use them frequently, but usually only 1 or 2 units to stick on the flanks in tough battles.

You haven't met the Rhomphaiaphoroi yet, I see.

[Flying Pig]

How can you not love the elite phalanxes, you heartless fiend? The Chaionion Agema, Kleruchon Agema and Hoplitai Epilektoi are among the best-skinned units in EB, and phahlanxes definitly are some of the most killy. Hoplitai Haploi are the best militia, though, and I have only ever kept 2 units of elite pikes in a city for more than 5 turns, that's during a massive Roman seige of Alexandria as the Ptolomaioi.

[darkness_rising]

Dont forget the fact that the low end levy phalanx units tend to have low stamina compared to higher end ones. Ive found this is a disadvantage in siege battles where I rotate tired and fresh phalanxes for optimum efficiency. Takes a while longer to do this with cheaper ones due to slower stamina regen.

[Ayce]

How can you not love the elite phalanxes, you heartless fiend? The Chaionion Agema, Kleruchon Agema and Hoplitai Epilektoi are among the best-skinned units in EB, and phahlanxes definitly are some of the most killy.

Oh, I like them, but they fall like flies when pitted against AP Armored Infantry.