Quote Originally Posted by Epi View Post
Yes, they were in guard mode. I usually keep my spearmen in guard mode. ...unless they are fighting units with longer pikes (e.g. phalangites).

Does guard mode lets your units fight forever without getting tired? Wouldn't this give a huge and unrealistic advantage to units that fight better in guard mode? Is this hard coded? Is there a way to go around it? (short of turning off the guard mode?)
Yes, as I mentioned above, guard mode essentially does away with fatigue. Although it can be an advantage when facing an enemy attacking from the front, it is a major disadvantage when flanked.

Guard mode is popular for hoplitai-type units, which are viewed by many to be too weak without the use of guard mode or a shieldwall ability.