How to most effectively use some units?

**RollingWave** · 02-26-2005, 05:47

Here are some units i could either never get the hang of or feel like that i'm probably not using them the best i could or that sometimes i get mixed results...

1.Scythed chariots: i really don't know how to use these guys... the best i could see is probably charging it ahead of a cav charge... but the main problem is they die fast and run amok faster, when they run amok they are REALLY scary.... for you..... i've already had 2 general killed by my own amok chariots -.-.... and obviously running them in with infantry is even less of a option as unlike elephants they are way too fast for infantry to follow. (and when they trample they also trample much more severally) .. why only they run amok and not say... Egyptian chariot archer or Brit light chariot ??

2.Phalanx: well usually they work very well for me and have saved the day for me several time.... my main problem is when pushing foward with them sometimes they lower their spear (which is insanely scarey inside a town) sometimes they don't. (which gets them massacered by anything stronger than a peasent...) how do you make sure they lower their spear when u want them to? i tried telling them to stop... that work sometimes but other times they stop defending all together and run around like idiots ..... telling them to attack seem to be generally more reliable but sometimes they also don't lower their spear until much later....

3.Skrimishers: sometimes they work sometimes they don't... again sometimes they just don't fire off their goddamn javlin or keep throwing it onto our own men... anyone with better javlin use technique?

Anyone willing to share their thoughts is apperciated.

**hrvojej** · 02-26-2005, 06:30

1. I use them on the flanks mostly. If I can get them behind the enemy line, then the fun begins. Other than that, I've had success with them against cavalry, against egyptian chariots (they have more HP than EHC and cause helluva casulaties to their generals), and sometimes for advancing under fire. My tips: as the Seleucids, build them in towns with Hephaestus temples; don't charge them into eastern infantry or anything else that has bonus vs. cavalry.

2. You mean, how do you stop them after a run and get them to change to phalanx? Well, timing it right and doing it ahead of the moment of need. I advance them very slowly, and once they're fighting I let them go. I usually don't try to do anything fancy with them, as any wrong order can get them to lift their pikes. So, when they begin to melee, I leave them alone and use other units to take care of the problems that might arise.

3. Sometimes they work better on the flanks. But it mostly depends on what you're facing. If the opponent is charging your javelins, it's about 50/50 chance that they'll manage to pull off a volley. However, then it's also likely that they'll get caught by the charge since they have to complete the animation before auto-pulling back. But, that's what they're there for pretty much - to dull the enemy charge, and after that they are easily replacable. If they are on the flanks, they might get a better position to do more damage with their javs. Other good uses are when defending higher ground (they get longer range), and chasing routers (they are fast).

**RollingWave** · 02-26-2005, 06:48

no no no, i mean when the phalanx move around with phalanx mode on, often they still have their spear up, espically when they are cluded together or moving left and right. i know how to time when to turn phalanx on and off... the problem is sometimes it goes off by itself when it's suppose to be on.

**AntiochusIII** · 02-26-2005, 07:36

Do you mean they lift their spears (or pikes) up when issued orders before putting down again? Because I think it's about the thickness of the rank since thin-lined phalanxes of mine always lift their weapons up when ordered to do something (move or attack) while the deep-lined ones just move on forward with their spears as usual.

**Kaldhore** · 02-26-2005, 07:50

Sometimes they raise them when manouvering. But *sometimes* there are one or 2 men that havent got into position yet or are stuck trying to. When that happens the other guys dont lower their pikes till all are in place. Easy way to fix that is to qwickly put on normal formation and then right back into phalanx, they usually lower them then.

**Quietus** · 02-26-2005, 07:56

I've never used the Phalanx in huge numbers, since I've only played romans sof far. but I've always used them in the center to defend my archers (one or two are enough).

The Phalanx are fairly difficult for offense in an open field. When switching phalanx mode on/off, don't do it while paused, (don't do the run/walk toggle either while paused). The controls are not very reliable.

For medium-range skirmishers, they are specialized troops but really effective on slow units. When the AI has no cavalry, they are even better. I just drive them upfront, in the flank really quick while my army marches forward slowly.

When the AI takes the bait, I halt my whole army and let the archers do their work. If they continue to chase, I just block them with a unit then flank with a cavalry.

Against other skirmishers though, turn OFF the "skirmish mode" so they won't go crazy going back and forth. And press "hold" so they stand their ground

Also when they are behind your line, target the enemy farthest from you (disable fire-at-will mode).