[Phalanxes] What am I doing wrong?

[QuintusSertorius]

Here's the situation. In straight phalanx on phalanx duels, my troops always seem to get minced. Their flanks are covered, they're not being attacked from the rear or anything like that. But it seems against almost any AI phalanx, they get massacred.

Two recent examples, in both cases I have Kleruchoi phalangites with 1 chevron and upgraded weapons and armour (Att: 19, Def: 23). Against the Qarthadastim, they met Elite African Pikemen in the centre of the field. Granted these guys are much better armoured and better fighters. But I would have thought on guard mode and phalanx mode, my phalangites would be able to endure for a while. By the end of the battle, there were less than a fifth of them left. Although they'd also taken a frontal charge from the enemy general (but isn't that one of the things a phalanx should be good against?).

Second one was in a city against two depleted Ptolemaic Pezhetairoi (who had two points of defense higher, that was the only difference). They had a slight advantage in numbers (I think in total about 60 men more). But once again my phalangites seemed to get annihilated, but theirs lasted for ages, even after the rest of the besiegers got round the other side of them and surrounded them.

I normally leave them with the frontage and depth they are defaulted to, put them on guard and phalanx mode, and just leave them alone. Should I be doing something different?

[Cute Wolf]

did you play on hard or very hard battle difficulty?

[QuintusSertorius]

did you play on hard or very hard battle difficulty?

Nope, medium battle difficulty, so there's no bonuses to the AI stats. Virtually every battle where the enemy has had a phalanx line to throw against mine, I've taken 50% phalangite casualties.

I only have two phalanx units, flanked by classical hoplites, could that be part of the problem? Do phalanxes only work well with lots of them?

[Paltmull]

I'm no phalanx specialist, but try not using guard mode when fighting other phalanx units.

[QuintusSertorius]

I'm no phalanx specialist, but try not using guard mode when fighting other phalanx units.

Why is that? Does guard mode do something funny to units in phalanx formation? Is it either/or guard mode or phalanx mode?

I thought guard mode let a unit fight for ages with minimal exhaustion or casualties (though low kills)?

[Paltmull]

Why is that? Does guard mode do something funny to units in phalanx formation? Is it either/or guard mode or phalanx mode?

I thought guard mode let a unit fight for ages with minimal exhaustion or casualties (though low kills)?

This is normally the case, but IIRC it won't work in phalanx vs phalanx combat. The AI will use its phalanx agressively - and, for some reason, if you don't push back you will take lots of casualties without causing any to the enemy.

Having guard mode turned off might cause some weird issues though (unless you're using alex.exe), with your phalangites "moonwalking" out of position - creating gaps in your line.