I just did a couple custom battles.

Equites vs Hoplites went almost how I thought it would with me winning with only losing 11 units. However, this was three different charges that they were able to perform - charging, jumping my spears, and then withdrawing with minor casualties only to do it again. In fact, at one time their whole front line actually jumped clear over my formation, through the diagonally positioned spears and landed on the other side...


I fought a few more and even though the Custom Battle AI seems a little sketchy (half the time they just walked straight into the front of the phalanx, not even charging) they did retreat to reform and charge again. They would try to walk around my flank and did flank me a few times on other kinds of matchups.

WInning vs Katatanks with Armoured Hoplites was difficult, but I eventually won.

Maybe it was that Phalanx units dont' like fighting in cities because prettymuch all of my custom battles went my way with the phalanx....