[Phalanxes] What am I doing wrong?

[vartan]

I agree that it's a tricky choice with no obvious clear-cut winner. Letting them fight feels a little less "gamey" to me (since that's what the AI would do), but sometimes when facing overwhelming odds I want to keep a phalanx fresh so that it can become the next flanking and/or router-chasing unit.

Realize that what I mention about the pros and cons of guard mode for a defender do not apply to phalanx units.

When you're playing against an opponent, be it human or AI (hope you're playing against a player or I will go after you!), you usually want to match the enemy's phalanx line, no matter what. And for good reason. Your phalanxes are the best possible match for his. And of course, if you're attacking, guard on, if you're defending, guard off. Smart players, when attacking, attack in such a way as to give one of their flanks a bonus, while refusing the opposing flank. Sons of guns gain the initiative and win more often than not. They also tend to be the victors of tournaments and whatnot.