So - how many ranks are you using?

**GM1940** · 03-09-2009, 14:29

How deep are you making your line infantry formations, before and after different techs?

**Beskar** · 03-09-2009, 14:34

Default, it isn't much concern in any of the situations I have been in.

Only time I changed if when I had to, so situational.

**AussieGiant** · 03-09-2009, 14:40

2 or 3 ranks deeps as a rule. You need to get as many guns on target as possible. It makes a large difference AND it widens your arc of fire. That means you can spread the joy around just a little bit more.

**Sheogorath** · 03-09-2009, 14:45

The difference between two and three ranks seems marginal. Possibly because the AI seems more inclined to charge against a two-rank formation (in my experience), since it's weaker in a melee, thus letting you get fewer volleys in.

For melee units, I tend to vary a lot. At long range, against artillery and such, I put them in three ranks just like everybody else, so they take fewer casualties from artillery shots. Up close I give them a deep formation (sometimes with more file than rank) in order to give them more weight in the charge. Right now I'm just kind of experimenting.

Cavalry, historically, generally used three ranks, so I've been fooling around with them to see if that works well.

**geala** · 03-09-2009, 15:01

I like it to be historical more or less. I am playing Prussia and they used 3 ranks for infantry, so do I. Most other armies used 4 or even 5 until after the Seven Years War. For cavalry I use 2 ranks. Prussian reglements ordered 3 ranks for cavalry throughout the 18th c., but in the real battles Prussian cavalry used only 2 ranks.

**Dead Guy** · 03-09-2009, 15:03

Three for shooting, if I have a second line on elevation behind units in cover, two. Box or column before the charge. Haven't got fire by rank or fire and advance yet, but I reckon it will still be about the same. I put squares on the ends of my line and another square one musket range behind my line (on the ends again) if the enemy has an unbalanced amount of cavalry.

**AussieGiant** · 03-09-2009, 15:07

Hi Sheogorath, yeah there is no difference between 2 or 3, I just don't leave them at 4 or more deep unless they are militia. I'm talking mainly about Line Infantry as well.

If there is cav around I'll keep them in 3 or perhaps 4 deep if there are heavy cav in the area.

As for cav, I've also kept them in 4 or 5 deep...they'll punch right through on occasion and that's a kill shot against most infantry units.

**ZIM!!** · 03-09-2009, 15:22

Shouldnt the front 2 or 3 ranks be shooting first row kneeling 2nd squating 3rd standing Im early in the game so Im not sure if thats a tecnological development but if only the front row shoots and your only up against another infantry unit why not just do a single rank so everyone is shooting?