How to use phalanx properly?

[andrewt]

How do I move phalanx units from point A to B while keeping their spears pointed in front of them? I'm assaulting Armenia and they have tons of weak eastern infantry and hillmen. I want my phalanx to move from the gates to the city square killing everything in their path. However, they keep moving their pikes up while moving and I'm worried that I'm not getting the proper rank and phalanx bonuses. They were drawing out their knives a lot so I think that wasn't ideal.

If I used move, they would move with their pikes up and they won't have enough space to put it down once engaged. If I attack a unit far away, same thing until I'm close to the unit I originally attacked. If I attack a unit close by and it routs, they put their pikes up and get attacked by another unit. I tried enabling and disabling guard mode and didn't notice any difference.

[Silver Rusher]

That's really wierd... whenever I use phalanx they always put their spears up to change direction and then put them back down again. If you see a unit coming towards you halt immediatly so that the spears drop and the phalanx goes back into full shape.

[andrewt]

So I need to halt them for them to drop their spears? That sucks. I know phalanxes were used offensively in this era, both pike and spear ones.

[Razor1952]

I don't think so , IMO your problem is probably the delay in organizing their ranks after orders are issued, coupled with changes in direction of the phalanx forced on it by not being straight in the street.

So the --->Less orders the better. or better orders in the first place.


I line up my phalanxs first at the beginning of the street then charge and I have no problem. I also often take them out of phalanx to quickly get them into postion then re-phalanx them.


Manoeuvreability on the battlefield is all important and phalanxs suck at that, so you really have to get your other troops to manouevre the enemy so they will engage your phalanxs. Once skewered on the phalanxs your support troops flank the bad guys for maximum kill......

[andrewt]

I'm getting the hang of it. I found that once the phalanxes get near the enemy or after the phalanxes engage the enemy, I press backspace to halt them so they'll bring their pikes down. I turn off guard mode so they'll move forward chasing the enemy with their pikes down. I still think it's a counter-intuitive way of doing it.

[Salfin]

....I've played as the Greeks and other factions who use Phalanxes, and I've never had to *stop* them in order to have them attack effectively. Using Phalanxes defensively can be counter productive, as the enemy can make you fight on their terms, and that can be a dangerous hame for you the phalanx user. If you force them to fight up front on the line, then you've won already.

The way I deploy and re-deploy my phalanxes is really simple. If on offensive, I take my hoplites in standard formation and rush them to a spot I know where they wont meet the enemy, let's say two thirds of the way between you and the enemy, then deploy them in phalanx formation into the spots where I wish them to begin their attack.

Then I march them forward to bring the fight to the enemy. Something that is very very *very* useful is the spacebar. Make very good use of it, and by way of the purple arrows, estimate where your men are going, when they get there, and most importantly which way they will be facing.

When Phalanxes turn to their right or left flank, they raise their spears as they march in formation. When they begin marching forward they lower them.

Your problem seems to me that your frantically turning your men all around. Use the spacebar key. If it appears that your men are going to be turning because of some stupid pathfinding thing, pause the game, and by way of drag-deploying (when you drag and can adjust the formation depth) make them go to the proper spot, facing the proper direction.

[Sin Qua Non]

The phalanx is like one of those huge conversion vans without power steering... don't plan on it turning too well.

[Jagger]

Just remember you can always take phalanxe out of phalanxe and out of guard. If you do, they will double time, charge and fight with their swords.

Under the right circumstancesm, swords are better than pikes.

[andrewt]

If it appears that your men are going to be turning because of some stupid pathfinding thing, pause the game, and by way of drag-deploying (when you drag and can adjust the formation depth) make them go to the proper spot, facing the proper direction.

I think you hit it right on the head since it's a city battle. There's a street leading to the left side of the square and I'm ordering them to march to the center of the square. Poor saps must be confused. I've had better luck on my second battle. Even obliterated some cataphracts trying to charge my phalanxes. They (even with all that armor) managed to jump 5-deep 121 man phalanxes. Fortunately, they didn't really do much damage and took more casualties than me.

[praetorians cavalry]

Strange.When I order a phalanx unit to attack,they keep the spears down in the front.But my problem is they attack rather stupidly,they try to keep defense formation and what I need is a aggressive one.They fight as if they are afraid of death.No honor for the cowards.

[Jagger]

Praetorian, take them off guard and off phalanx.

When I have a flanking opportunity, I remove guard and phalanx and have them charge. They actually run. When they make contact, they break ranks and use swords. They will act like any other sword unit.

PS: Their attack stats with sword are 7/3...not bad.

[Hurin_Rules]

What bonus does the phalanx give, does anyone know? In terms of better attack/defense values?

[Maltz]

In my early days of playing with phalanx I had some devastating experiences.

It was a castle siege, and there was a group of hoplite militia walking towards my hoplites with their spears down. On my end I had my mercenary hoptile welcoming them, also with my spears down. I took the guard mode off and left the phalanx on, no problem.

While they came close I thought "OK, showdown time!" So I order them to "attack". Suddenly all of my green hoplites raised their spears to be poked badly. Needless to say I lost the duel.

So I learned the lesson that "always issued an attack command well before the engagement" for phalanx.

[Lord Ovaat]

My phalanxes seldom want to do anything but do a mosey-dance to the right. Kinda interesting to watch. Been thinkin' of trying to put it to music. You guys think the "Vienna Waltz" would be good?