I try to be realistic in my tactics, Roman checkerboard as Romans (although I use that with any non-phalanx army, barbarian tactic of just rushing the enemy will lose every time against Rome), and as a pike phalanx, I pin with the phalanx, slam with the heavy cav. Too bad there are not hypaspists in RTW. Have not done much as a hoplite faction, definitely not while trying to be realistic. As far as units go, I use Druids though they were unrealistic (Druids were exempt from military service, so many families had their children become Druids), but I don't use head-hurlers, I find that unit as revolting as it is unrealistic. Skirmishers, as useless as they are, are realistic, so I use them as well. Heavy Skirmishers, such as Heavy Peltasts or Illyrian Mercenaries, can fill a role as light infantry or be used to hold a line, so I like using them. I don't use too many mercenaries, I should, that would be realistic, though barbarian mercs are for the most part worthless.