Quote Originally Posted by Paltmull View Post
Uhuh, the guard mode is of course a lot more defensive, and should be used to pin down the enemy while flanking troops do the killing. This works great when fighting non-phalanx- units, since they are very unlikely to break through the phalanx formation. Other phalangites, on the other hand, will damage your phalangites - and I was under the impression that using the defensive guard mode wouldn't be very effective against another more agressive pike unit. But I might be wrong, my phalanx experience is quite limited.

The phalanx bug is a pain of course; but since guard mode works fine against non- phalangites it isn't really a problem, in my opinion.
Against other phalangites, you would require more ranks, less frontage, and guard off, to push. Guard mode sword vs guard mode pike is a problem. Your flanks will be destroyed and you will lose the game if you don't use your pikes offensively. Guard mode pikes do not kill. Enemy does not engage, sits in guard mode in front of your pikes. Nothing happens since neither of you engage each other, except for your losses on the flanks. Simple as that. So best thing to do is pray that when you turn guard off and press the attack, that your game won't suddenly become "Michael Jackson: Total War" due to all the moonwalking you will start to notice. Note: music is not included.