Shock Units Ranks

[hach]

Hi

Just wondering how many Ranks Deep people put their Shock Units in?

Thanx

[Kraxis]

I don't know anymore...

Usually I had them in four ranks, but I think it can pay off to have them in a single rank against large units, such as spears.

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BTW, Danish Crusades are true to history.

You may not care about war, but war cares about you!

[hach]

I always have my spears in 4 pikes in 6.

But with Shock i usually use 3 though i kow that the longer it is'then it means your unit can wrap around the flanks.

I'm debating wether to use 3 or 2.
I'll need to do experiments later.
It's the same with Cavalry.
Apparently the Longer the front the better'but it means more chance of them getting caught as it makes the unit unwieldy and difficult to control.

[The Illustrated Man]

Normally 3-4 ranks deep, but as Kraxis said if Ihave an opportunity to get a unit to wrap around the flanks of an enemy I would maybe go for a 1-2 ranks.

As I understand it, it seems that thin lines of troops suffer quite badly if they're on the receiving end of a strong charge...

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We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, for he today that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother be he ne're so vile, this day shall gentle his condition. And Gentlemen in England, now a bed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here and hold their Manhoods cheap, whilst any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispines day.

William Shakespeare - Henry V

[Jaret]

I doubt single ranks would do any good.

1. Reason :
The enemy will deal damage to you ... when one o your men dies ... there is a gap in your formation and he might be able to split it ... using the triangle formation for example. Also Arrows would have an more severe impact upon your unit, since it will take more time to replace losses in the middle of your formation.

2. Reason :
Cavelerie will, no doubt, break your formation on the first moment of impact of their charge. They´ll just ride your men down.

Deep formations ensure a longer life ... while long formations give you the oportunity to "wrap around" the enemy flanks, delivering maximum damage.

Having the enemy break through your formation should have a vast impact upon your morale (routing), especialy when there are units to protect the flanks of the Unit achieving the breakthrough.

[Kraxis]

Well Jaret, single ranks have been poved to be great when you use it against spears, which will be your principal enemy.

Against other swords two ranks will obviously be better (the men can still swing around and hit the flanks).

------------------
BTW, Danish Crusades are true to history.

You may not care about war, but war cares about you!

[FacelessClock]

One rank is just asking to get broken. And if your enemy plays spear wall, it doesn't even help. Your units won't be able to wrap around. You'd be better off matching his spear wall with your units and then using shock to flank.

I find two ranks with a 1/3 size thrid rank is pretty decent. Some wedges might cause a problem, though. Going more then three will cause some of your men to pile up uselessly.

[Dionysus9]

You guys dont think single ranks work?

Go play Amp a few times, he will show you...

they work alright.

I dont think they should, but they do.

[solypsist]

despite the trend that people who use the wedge seem to use it only for cavalry, I've had some success with it on my shock foot troops (Scots, men-at-arms, etc.)

[pdoan8]

Shock unit in single rank (all engage) is quite effective against spear unit that is holding formation (not all engage), but should not use against other shock or unit that is engage at will. I use 2 or 1 and a half ranks against spears.

For me, any unit that has good charge bonus (3+), I will almost always charge them in wedge formation. Sometimes, the extra kill that I make in the first impact will help tip the balance. But I will never make a frontal charge at a spear/pike unit (too close to suicidal).

[Dorkus]

How exactly do you keep your formation after stretching a unit out into a 1 or 2 deep formation?

I've tried to stretch out my infantry into 2 deep formations for attacsk against spearmen, but the moment I tell them to move forward, they go back to a column and get whomped....

[Cheetah]

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