Quote Originally Posted by Roka View Post
because otherwise they lose all cohesion when they engage an enemy, instead of the solid block of men that they should be, plus makes it harder defeat them
It's hard enough as is. Guard off, and attack is the way to go with hoplites as they are. Phalanx attribute will require guard on, phalanx on, and will be so slow, more of a liability than an asset.

See here as hoplites guard off attack and envelop (as that's what guard off results in) the Roman imperial center. Rome gets lucky here.