Wedge Formation and is it any real use?

[Jeanne d'arc]

I have witnessed the AI using wedge formation multiple times when attacking my cavalry.It might give an advantage when charging cavalry.Lets make a series of tests in cavalry vs cavalry and cavalry vs infantry.

I always tend to use wedge in the first charge then pull back and continue charging in normal formation.

[Sin Qua Non]

Although I haven't done exhaustive testing on it, I've found that the wedge is must less cohesive than in MTW. This is especially true when turning or reacting to a moving target. The front men in the wedge veer into the target properly, but the later reaction from the rear units sometimes causes the wedge to be skewed and much less effective. In the few times I've used it, I've found the wedge to work best when the wedged unit can make a straight lined attack to the intended target. A fast or erratic moving target means more turns to meet the target, and more loss of wedge cohesion.

I have also seen the wedge work beautifully, and cleave through foot units.

[soibean]

I dont use it
I experimented with it in the past and all its gotten me is a weak charge with a killed charge leader. This is extremely annoying when you use your general to charge and he gets caught in the middle of the infantry that you just flanked and is killed.

[Suppiluliumas]

The wedge is best used obliquely to the main battle line, or in the flank or rear (see alexander's use of the companion cavalry). Using a line formation with cavalry will quickly get them involved in prolonged melees with larger units. If they happen to have the stats to handle this, then so much the better, but otherwise, they should be kept concentrated and on the move at all times.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I find that the wedge is generally best when used on the flank, as others have said, however, it seems to be that using a broad front flanked by two wedges may mix the specialties of each. Though this may not be true, it does definately look cool! I agree that broad front attacks are more all purpose, but I think the wedge has some advantage in ripping open an enemy unit.

[Jeanne d'arc]

Ok grassy flatland, normal weather and no upgrades.Large unit size.

1)equites vs equites

*In wedge formation my equites won with 27 horses left standing.

*In normal formation the fight was evenly matched as it should be, sometimes i won sometimes AI won.

Conclusion : wedge formation does help when engaging cavalry


2)equites vs hastati

In these battles i kept pulling back and repeated charging to see the full effect of eich formation.
*In wedge the equites won with 3 horses left standing, the first charge didend make much casualties and it looked like the unit was stuck for a moment but after pulling back the second charge was devastating.Overall it could have gone either way so u could say it was evenly matched.

*In normal formation the equites never really managed to break through the hastati lines, in the first charge the hastati took some casualties but they always seemed to hold the lines causing the equites to get stuck eich time they rushed in.Usually after the third charge my equites usually routed.50 men left standing on the hastati side.

Conclusion: wedge formation wins again


3)barbarian cavalry vs hastati

Just to make sure i runned a series of tests with barb cavalry to back up the other results.

*In both wedge and default formation the barb cavalry lost ofcourse but in wedge the hastati had only 22 men left standing.
In default formation the hastati had 53 men left standing.

overall conclusion:
Wedge formation seems to have better results vs both infantry and cavalry in frontal charges.
Versus infantry the first charge with wedge issent effective cause it kinda gets stuck, pull back and recharge and u will see that the second wave will make loads casualties on the infantry side.

Default formation is best used when attacking flanks or rear cause it will instantly make casualties on the first charge.I am not sure if wedge would be effective in flanks or rear, if it gets stuck like it does when charging the front then it will certainly miss its shock effect.

[Agravain of Orkney]

When using wedge formation in a frontal charge, I've often wondered if it would be better to have the point of the wedge hit the seam between two units or to have it strike the center of one unit. I'm thinking that as you push into the seam between units, you'll be hitting the flanks of both, and this would be better than just hitting one unit head-on. Anyone know? I might have to run some tests and check this out.

[Jeanne d'arc]

When using wedge formation in a frontal charge, I've often wondered if it would be better to have the point of the wedge hit the seam between two units or to have it strike the center of one unit. I'm thinking that as you push into the seam between units, you'll be hitting the flanks of both, and this would be better than just hitting one unit head-on. Anyone know? I might have to run some tests and check this out.

I think your cavalry will be sandwiched between the 2 infantry units.

[Doug-Thompson]

Interesting finds, Jeanne d'arc. I may have to adjust my tactics.

[Red Harvest]

IIRC in MTW wedge provided a 2x increase in kill rate (both for and against.) So it should confer an advantage to the charge, because the charge bonus will be applied twice as often in the same period of time. Don't know about RTW, but Jeanne d'crc's results seem to bear out this sort of effect.

I admit I rarely use wedge in either game, but it was an "accelerant" in MTW. If you knew the match up was favourable, and you wanted to get the unit onto its next objective quickly, wedge could help.

[Daevyll]

It is useful for Cav vs Cav, but in most other situations you are better off using a wide frontage in my experience.