I think it's effective when getting shot at but ultimately almost useless because the soldiers get so exhausted just standing there.


During my civil war as the Julii I attacked Rome with tons of Legion guys. I mistakenly put them all in testudo during the deployment phase. By the time my sappers knocked down one wall section every single one of my soldiers was exhausted just from standing there. It's kind of ridiculous.


While it may have been extremely tiring to hold a shield above your head I don't think its MORE tiring than charging and fighting and swinging that sword and shield around. Currently it seems testudo guys get exhausted only a few minutes after getting in formation.

Now I'm in nowhere close to the state of physical fitness that the average Urban Cohor guy was but I figure I could hold a shield above my head for 4 minutes without collapsing of exhaustion.