Some info on shogun2 units.

[Tomisama]

Those first two sources are at odds with each other. The first says they were only effective in tight formations while the second says they were trained to fight in loose formations unlike the Europeans. That leaves CA to make their choice in the matter and thus vulnerable to criticism about historical inaccuracies from formation camp not chosen.

The second and third quotes are from the chief advisor to CA about these details.

The first references his works.

And it is possible to have "tight formations" (a single rank can be tight), "trained to advance in a loose, fast-moving mass" (and still be permitted to move responding to a situation in a less rigid but still grouped fashion).

And this is exactly what artwork from the times shows us, a single line with flexability, but never more than three ranks deep in any depiction.


https://img135.imageshack.us/i/battlelanceprint.jpg/

The above mock battle shows the advantages of longer pikes. Note the three ranks of longer pikes (right) holding off a mob (not a formation) of short-shafters (left).

This was only a test