Javelinmen - Usage and Deployment

[Caliburn]

Forests help a bit as well. I like to use them as flanker-counters in defensive battles. The enemy cavalry unit has to attack a spear unit in the flank, and while they're at it, the javelin unit slips to one of their flanks from a forest. Best not put them behind the cavalry, because they'll get charged by either the engaged unit or some other that the enemy sends to cover their failed flanking move.

I like this especially against Kataphraktoi.

A bit more fiddly way to use them from forests is in combination with a horse archer battle group: Again, in a defensive battle, the javelins (1-2 units) are placed a bit further away from the main battle line in one of my own formation's flanks, placed inside a forest. Usually with a cheap spearman-unit and sometimes with Woodsmen or the like. If the enemy is a bit hesitant in its attack, or has lots of horse archers, I'll try to lure part of the force to this low-tier infantry group.

They'll usually manage to handle a small number of units with the horse archers giving cover, and if the enemy decides to go after the small group, in many cases I can fold my main formation and strike at their formation's flank. If my main line is engaged by the enemy line, I can attack them from the flank/rear with a cheap combo with a high potential kill ratio!

If the javelin gamble fails, no problem - they're cheap and replacable!

So why not just pack the forest with 3 units of Steppe cavalry instead? I do sometimes. But they're not too useful against camels, and anyways not always available. Javelins and Spearmen are nice garrison units and by using them right, they can still turn the tide in a battle if you aren't able to bring your Jedi Tank Force with the elephant-impregnated 8* general.

EDIT:

I'm still new to using foot javelins, so I still fail sometimes. Too hesitant, too eager, etc. I still like them better than Early polearms or cavalry in anti-cav role, and they're faster than Halberdiers so they are maybe more suited for offensive use against cavalry, and to whittle away (after Archers of course) and mob FMAA on Early.