What is that?

[Aemilius Paulus]

Infact, i would have banned whoever used it from the tournament.

Same here.

[O'ETAIPOS]

But this is perfectly well known historical square formation, used by many armies ancient up to napoleonic wars and maybe even longer.
I understand that you, Romans, hate it :))))

[Jolt]

It is the Etemananki aka the Tower of Babel

[Phalanx300]

But this is perfectly well known historical square formation, used by many armies ancient up to napoleonic wars and maybe even longer.
I understand that you, Romans, hate it :))))

Which many armies? For Phalangites to form such a block in the middle in a battle is not really possible, from ancient sources it took a while to just arrange a line of Phalangites, let alone a box or circle of phalangites.

I don't really think such a formation would be possible which is why I wouldn't use such tactics. Though there should be some rules on it like posted in the tread.

And it isn't hate, in real life it would be a mistake, you could just starve them out but multiplayer players can't do such things. Beating a Phalanx box with Roman legionairies is just impossible , which is why alot of players don't like such tactics.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Which many armies? For Phalangites to form such a block in the middle in a battle is not really possible, from ancient sources it took a while to just arrange a line of Phalangites, let alone a box or circle of phalangites.

I don't really think such a formation would be possible which is why I wouldn't use such tactics. Though there should be some rules on it like posted in the tread.

And it isn't hate, in real life it would be a mistake, you could just starve them out but multiplayer players can't do such things. Beating a Phalanx box with Roman legionairies is just impossible , which is why alot of players don't like such tactics.

You are wrong on every count.

The Macedonian army is recorded to have formed aquare when deprived of it's cavalry and the hoplites used to emply the same tactic, yes it does require time for the wings to counter-march but it is perfectly possible, and was used repeadedly, even by the Romans.

As to not being able to break a square, well the Romans did it to the Macedonians.

In any case, you don't "starve" them out, you attack them with missile, strike multiple corners of the square with heavy infantry and break it apart.

[Macilrille]

Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla is right, if I remember correctly Herodot/Herodotus is the first to describe it used by Hoplites, it is a historical formation and thus should be possible in EB. As I understand, Irish was getting beat up, a historical general would want to save his troops in such a situation; the Square was a possibility for that.

Further, you guys should generally be somewhat more polite. being called, lame, noobish and whatnot is probably not too pleasant. Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself, notice that while I am aggressive in historical debates, I try not to go for the guy, but for the ball (except when calling the Hellene lovers delusional, which was the only word my limited linguistic skill could think up in English to describe their belief), ie the argument, with other arguments, backed by facts.

That you should be politer to Irish, is especially poignant as he and the other participants in the tournament has the guts to go public and fight where we can all criticise and ridicule them, against opponents of unknown strength (a noob may potentially be facing the WC of EB, so give them a break. Especially if you do not participate yourself, spineless people and armchair generals should not criticise real generals or those with spine enough to expose themselves to our scrutiny. Analysis is fine, flaming is not, keep it polite and objective.

They play the tournament for fun and in good spirits, furthering the EB-Scene, applaud them for that even if you disagree with their choices. Show some maturity.


Notice that this was written by a great admirer and lover of Rome, who likes to whup Graeculi behinds, after all- their habits invite it. But who respects anyone who steps up and expose themselves to our barbs.

[Husker98]

You are wrong on every count.

The Macedonian army is recorded to have formed aquare when deprived of it's cavalry and the hoplites used to emply the same tactic, yes it does require time for the wings to counter-march but it is perfectly possible, and was used repeadedly, even by the Romans.

As to not being able to break a square, well the Romans did it to the Macedonians.

In any case, you don't "starve" them out, you attack them with missile, strike multiple corners of the square with heavy infantry and break it apart.

winner, that's text book depending on what units, pikes or roman style infantry, heavy cavalry can also create chaos on the corners, the parthians used cataphracts effectively against Crassus at carrhae.

[seienchin]

EB isnt historial correct and so using historical formation doesnt make them less lame, when they make you unbeatable cause of Ebs inaccurancy(Which is caused by a lot of things and some of them are hardcoded ). Especcialy with the weak artillery and Archers it is impossible to crack such a formation in EB. Maybe with 3gold chevron Sarmathian later Bodyguards but still hard...

[lenin96]

EB isnt historial correct and so using historical formation doesnt make them less lame, when they make you unbeatable cause of Ebs inaccurancy(Which is caused by a lot of things and some of them are hardcoded ). Especcialy with the weak artillery and Archers it is impossible to crack such a formation in EB. Maybe with 3gold chevron Sarmathian later Bodyguards but still hard...

EB is isn't historical? What were you thinking when you posted that?

[antisocialmunky]

winner, that's text book depending on what units, pikes or roman style infantry, heavy cavalry can also create chaos on the corners, the parthians used cataphracts effectively against Crassus at carrhae.

Granted that's because they were sitting in Testudo after getting shot for 2 hours all the while getting dehydrated by lack of water and an excess of heat.

[Phalanx300]

You are wrong on every count.

The Macedonian army is recorded to have formed aquare when deprived of it's cavalry and the hoplites used to emply the same tactic, yes it does require time for the wings to counter-march but it is perfectly possible, and was used repeadedly, even by the Romans.

As to not being able to break a square, well the Romans did it to the Macedonians.

In any case, you don't "starve" them out, you attack them with missile, strike multiple corners of the square with heavy infantry and break it apart.

You do realise that we are talking about Phalangites, who had 6 meter long spears and which it took very long to just to form a front line?

Hoplites and legionarries wouldn't have this problem as much as Phalangites.

Please as I said before post a example then, to form such a formation in the middle of a battle would be impossible for Phalangites, it like turning your Phalangites and form a succesfull Phalanx when just charged in your back. Something only possible in RTW.

Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla is right, if I remember correctly Herodot/Herodotus is the first to describe it used by Hoplites, it is a historical formation and thus should be possible in EB. As I understand, Irish was getting beat up, a historical general would want to save his troops in such a situation; the Square was a possibility for that.

A unhistorical possibility in my eyes, in the middle of the chaos of battle such a thing would be impossible. In RTW its just a matter of a few clicks and it takes seconds.

[BurningEGO]

Oh dear, these romans lovers like to use every oportunity to bully others who do not share their point of view. Maion, call the cavalry in!

Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself

Now, seriously, to answer this statement marci - if i play like a lamer, i dont really care if people call me lame. In so many years of gaming, doing such once in a while is not unusual.

Although you would certainly not find me doing any kind of square formation.

[Βελισάριος]

How did this turn from a question about a Babylonian building into a dung-tossing contest?