Guard Mode : The Art of Fighting in Formation.

[gamegeek2]

Excellent guide.

One tip: on BI.exe, shield walls are even better, and coupled with guard mode are absurd. Also, shield walls are good for breaking phalanxes.

I routinely use guard mode, and find it to be an excellent strategy for holding lines, so you can maneuver around the guarding units and flank the enemy.

As mentioned, it's also stupid good for holding choke points. Just had two units of scortamareva hold off at least 12 celtic swordsmen units storming a bridge today, thanks to guard mode and shield wall. Threw missiles into their flanks and they just threw themselves at the shield wall and failed miserably. Reinforced gaps with some Iberian units as needed, but the Scortamareva did almost everything on their own.