Quote Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai View Post
I use a modified manipular formation with the Bastarnae in the second line. With some armor/weapon upgrades, the Bastarnae become a fearsome weapon...maybe even better than the Spartans. Charge them into the flank of an engaged Cohort, and it's usually insta-rout. They also have a knack for killing enemy generals. Few of them who charge a unit of Bastarnae live to go home to kiss their wife and children

The Heavy Peltasts can be a nice addition, now and then. They are murderous against chariots, and can act as light infantry when needed. Militia Cavalry only see a spot in my armies at the outset, while I'm upgrading my stables to get Greek Cavalry. Once that happens, I disband any that are still left and don't train them anymore.
Manipular involving phalanx? How does that work? Now the enemy flanks with cav, and actually charges them in at my battle line instead of my missile units, that is why I closed my horseshoe. I don't like the horseshoe, but can't see a better formation for the situation, I may discover something later. I am definitely open to ideas. The Bastarnae, I guess as long as you make sure you hire Bastarnae and not Thracians. My brother won't train Greek Cav, only Militia (or Light Lancers if Macedon), because the stats are almost identical except for charge bonus, and Militia Cav get a missile attack. I prefer Greek over Militia myself, though, because of how I use my cav. I happen to have a MC unit in an army in Italy because that army came from fighting Macedon, where MC can help bombard a phalanx. Also, my army in Turkey has MC, what with Egypt and Pontus. The Heavy Peltasts, once they gain some experience, will be nice,though you need a catapult range to build them. I do have a silver chevron/gold sword/bronze shield Peltast unit, that does pretty good.