How to use Hastati and Principes effectively?

[Lichgod]

Why use Hastati at all? Just use Principes instead? Only draw back seems to be cost. Oh, and maybe finding replacements in newly conquered small towns.

[Oleander Ardens]

A bid OT, but talking about the alt key and leftklick: with warelephants it changes the sword to a bow eneables you to select you ranged target of choice... Marius told me

Cheers
OA

[HicRic]

I find using them as one would use javs in MTW is very effective. Pin a unit and then send Hastati/Principes around the back-chuck the pila in and you'll cause huge casulties as their shields won't be facing you-only their backs! Also Because they are stationary and involved in combat with the pinning unit it doesn't matter that they take a little while to throw. If that doesn't make the unit under fire rout, then you can just follow up the throws with a charge. Game over.

Throwing at the front of the enemy is also a viable option when you're taking on a phalanx-they're slow, so you can throw, cause death in their unit, and charge while they're trying to recover formation.