How to use infantry bodyguard?

**Julianus** · 10-26-2009, 07:55

I always use heavy cavalry bodyguard as ideal hammer, and since I like general camera, it's crucial for generals to be able to move fast enough to arrive in time so I can micromanage several parts of battle line, while infantry bodyguard is unfit for both use I am most familiar with. However I keep hearing people talking about how powerful KH and Sweboz are, also I'm fond of these two people, Saba looks interesting too. But after some test I find their bodyguard somewhat unhandy for my flavor. Any suggestions? How should I modify my style of battle? Thanks.

**Macilrille** · 10-26-2009, 08:46

Well, it may be me, but you do not tell us your style of battle

However, the Sweboz generals at least, are the most powerful units the Sweboz have, and considering their ideologi of warrior heroics he should always lead the battle from the front. At least the melee, nobody says he cannot let his skutjonez have a bit of fun first.

However, in general you fight battles with the Sweboz as other infantry factions, just remember that your ethos is heroic and that facing armoured enemies your best weapon is the scare effect of your units (as your archers do no damage to them- see my other thread). Charge him fast and see him rout from fright at your ferocity.

The AAR & Gameplay section has several AARs and I think a few gameplay guides as well. Check them out.

**Julianus** · 10-26-2009, 09:01

I generally use hammer and anvil, supported by missile units, and Epeirote or Makedonian generals are good hammers.

You mean all a Sweboz general have to do is to lead his whole army as fast as possible to charge into the enemies? That's simple and cool, at least when it takes effect immediately...

I will check some AARs and guides as you suggested, thanks for the tip.

**Macilrille** · 10-26-2009, 09:18

I am talking by and large roleplaying. As you can see in the houserules thread. It is not all you need do. It is much like Roman tactic. H & A is not as appropriate for non-phalanx factions. Charge all infantry in and use skirmishers, lt horse and lt inf to flank and attack on flanks. If forces are even, keep your superior units holding of numerically superior enemies while creating local numeriorical superior numbers and take out some of his low-quality units.

When asking for strategical advice it is always good to check the gameplay and AAR section first. That is where the experts post and then you can elaborate and clarify here.

**Julianus** · 10-26-2009, 09:24

Thanks a lot, I'm doing it.

**SwissBarbar** · 10-26-2009, 10:40

Hammer + Anvil is the Makedonian (and Diadochi) way of fighting. The Sweboz - and also the early Celts - fight in another manner. They attack in one great and fearsome shock assault, just face to face with the enemy's frontline and try to break through with the first blow. The General - of course - fights in the very first battleline. A Germanic/Celtic General cannot afford to look less brave than his soldiers.

Therefore most Sweboz Generals will die in battle sooner or later. But that's an honour.

**ARCHIPPOS** · 10-26-2009, 11:25

hmmmmmm, well you can use them in sieges... in the Greek regions there is NOTHING that can stand against the KH bodyguard in a wall fight (at least during the initial game) ... assign your precious Spartans or Somatophylakes to a siege tower send them up the wall and watch them wreck havock !!!

if the walls are wooden open 2-3 breaches with your rams and rush the bodyguards through the far right or left breach... once they're through , deploy them in a sturdy line facing the enemy and press "stand ground" ... while the enemy slowly marches to meet them in battle hit his flanks with javelins, arrows and slings as he passes by the breaches... in melee your bodyguards will slowly chew the enemy wearing him down ... IF the enemy sends a multitude of units (or a terrifying pike phallanx) against you it's time to use hammer-and-anvil !!!

let ALL the enemy units engage in melee then use your other hoplite contigents to flank him (remember the other two breaches ??? ) ... once you have sandwiched and trapped his units between your FMs and your hoplite infantry the AI ROUTING will be imminent...

also... the KH bodyguard makes ideal Hetairoi-killers... lead them into a narrow city alley ... let them take on the mighty cavalry charge of the Hetairoi and see what happens !!! you can execute hammer-and-anvil even at the final bloody stages of the battle at the city centre ... lure the last block of enemy infantry against your bodyguard then overwhelm him from all sides with everything you've got... surround him and let the numbers wear him down...

you might have noticed that in using Spartans and Somatophylakes like this they actually play the part of the anvil (not the hammer) ... this is because their defence stats and armor are high (low casualty rate) ideal for absorbing enemy pressure - not only they'll take very low casualties saving the rest of your army lives but they autoreplenish them in 2-3 turns...