Wedge Formation and is it any real use?

[Jeanne d'arc]

Also it seems the wedge formation has the tendency to drift to the left when charging, this means the point of the wedge doesent hit the center first.Perhaps this is indeed done to open up gaps between units like oaty stated.

[Es Arkajae]

Is there any actual stat advantage given by charge?,. for instance the already mentioned charge bonus for MTW (although I can't say I ever noticed it )

I don't know Jean, everytime I've used the wedge in pitched battle my cavalry has been chewed up and the targeted unit has suffered little damage, granted I haven't really tested it against enemy cavalry (I will now) but against infantry it just leads to waste and ineffectiveness I've found.

I like to kill the enemy formation by panicking it, once its routed its easy to completely wipe out, that means maximum casualties as fast as possible such as in a sudden impact along a broad front (usually three lines), even better if the unit is engaged by infantry at the front and I'm hitting it from a flank or rear with my cavalry (standard stuff).

[Red Harvest]

The charge bonuses are rather large for some units in RTW. Greek lancers get a +15 charge bonus Round shield cav only get a +2 charge bonus. You probably wouldn't want to use wedge for frontal attack with cav unless you have a substantial charge bonus or heavily outmatch the other unit, because you will take casualties at an accelerated rate as well (I believe.) You might charge, then enter melee to hold them, while another unit charges into their flank or rear (with wedge if you like) and rapidly routs them.

Countercharges are imperative for many units. You stand a good chance of negating a charge by countercharging. Caesar said that it was best to countercharge to bolster the men's morale, rather than stand there and take the charge. RTW seems to be designed with this in mind.

[Mikeus Caesar]

I have done wedge with my greek cavalry a few times, and i've never used it again. Why? Because half the unit dies in a matter of seconds. I prefer to just put the cavalry in a line and have it smash into the rear of the enemy.

[Szun]

wedge is useless as it is...

but I do use a wedge formation with a pure caval army of at least 9 units
1 front center 3 behind 5 last row, forming a wedge while in square formation.

Effect on impact:
1. unit hits and gets stuck in melee , 2. row hit same thing, 3rd row hit ...the unit/units engaged by 1. row tends to break when the 3rd row hit.

It work very well with gothic caval or legionary, I would not do this with light cavalry tho.

Final effect is: broken center of enemy army- exposed general in rear- dead general unit- 50% of enemy runs befor you loose 20% of your troops.

P.S. dont ever try that on phalanx-formations.................

[Uesugi Kenshin]

HEY cavalry charges can work on phalanxes, what you need to do is find a way to break up the phalanx a little, and use very heavy cavalry I use Companions or Cataphracts as Seluecids, charge front and you will lose around half or more of the unit but the phalanx will be broken and you can mop up. I suggest this is onlyu used in last ditch climactic all or nothing battles, because charging with infantry and then cavalry in the rear works much better.