Use of tactical Vs. historic, role play armies

[Vincent Butler]

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.

[ReluctantSamurai]

Manipular involving phalanx? How does that work?

The same as with Roman infantry, except instead of Hastati in front with a unit space between them, and Principes in the second row positioned in the spaces between the Hastati...you have your phalanx in front with a unit space between, and the Bastarnae in the second row filling the gaps. Any unit that enters the gap between your phalanx, gets whacked by the Bastarnae in the flank. Once holes begin to appear along the enemy front, you can roll up a line with your Bastarnae and continual flank attacks. However...you must not expose the Bastarnae to a flank attack, in turn, so you have to pay attention to where enemy cavalry units are.

Now the enemy flanks with cav, and actually charges them in at my battle line instead of my missile units

You need to place your cavalry to the flanks somewhat ahead of your main battle line, and you need to be aggressive with them. When enemy cav are attempting to flank, it's obvious way ahead of time. Move your cav forward to intercept. Break their line but don't give chase. Instead pull back to nearly their original starting position and wait to see how the battle is unfolding. Often times those broken cav units rally and return to try again...and you repeat the previous maneuver. Smash them but don't give chase. This is why I suggested 6 units of Greek Cavalry...you can rotate the attacking units while resting the others.

My brother won't train Greek Cav, only Militia

Militia Cavalry certainly have their place. But they are weaker than Greek Cavalry, and are worthless as an anti-cav unit. They have no armor and use a short sword as their secondary weapon, whereas Greek Cavalry do have some armor and are armed with a spear...the prime anti-cavalry weapon.

[williamsiddell]

Militia Cavalry certainly have their place

I use them preferentially because it is easier to find a local barracks for repair.

and are worthless as an anti-cav unit

Once they've used their missiles, I use them to engage an enemy unit which I subsequently flank attack with a better unit.

[ReluctantSamurai]

I use them preferentially because it is easier to find a local barracks for repair.

Which falls under my comment of using them until there are enough upgraded barracks to produce Greek Cavalry.

Once they've used their missiles, I use them to engage an enemy unit which I subsequently flank attack with a better unit.

And I'll bet your losses are moderate to severe, depending on how long it takes to get a second unit engaged

[williamsiddell]

Fair comment. But I rarely build Greek cavalry, preferring instead one of your favourites - Sarmatians (they seem easy to pick up).

Surprisingly not that bad (but I don't pay much attention since they'll repair at a nearby city). My standard use is to wait until a general attacks my lines then send them in first. They act as a distraction as I follow up with a couple of generals. Usually their general dies while mine survive.

[Vincent Butler]

Sarmatians (they seem easy to pick up).

You must be expanding northeast. Turkey and Scythia have some, but they are limited to that area of the map. That is the only heavy cav merc unit, which stinks for Greece, Thrace, Britannia, and Egypt. Even Egypt's best cav (Nile Cav) is medium at best. I guess Britannia and Egypt are expected to use their chariots, which definitely need support, whereas something like Cataphracts or Legionary Cav can fend for themselves. The Long Shields that Spain and Numidia can train can, with experience, fill the role of heavy cav. I guess the same can be said for Nile Cav.

[williamsiddell]

Like you I don't rate most of the cavalry or chariots in the game. I do use Sarmatians NE, but also in the arc Armenia, Parthia and Egypt. Elsewhere it's mostly generals. Typically I'd set out on a particular direction with 5 generals in my army (to leave behind for slave boosts and to act as heavy cavalry). I don't mind losing the odd general since, before long, you'll have plenty and some are better off deid :) With them I would have up to 4 militia cavalry. They start the battle lined up behind the front line (double parked if necessary), and when their missiles are used up I use them as said (deselecting skirmish). It's true if they get isolated they are deid - I just keep an eye on them.