the Phalanx gap

[A.Saturnus]

When you create a line of units these always have a small gap between them. This is annoying in case of phalanx units, since they are supposed to stand in a complete line. Some claim that this has an adverse effect on the value of phalanx units because enemies get in the gap and can that way flank the unit. In addition, it looks silly. But there's an easy way to fix it.
In the file descr_formation.txt, all formations are listed. If you change the variable inter_unit_spacing for line formation from 2.0 to 0, the gap disappears if you put units in line formation. While it works nicely for vanilla phalanx units several things should be noted:
- it will affect all units put in line formation. That shouldn't be a problem since the missing gap will hardly hinder them. If you still want the option, you can replace a less important formation with the original line formation and use that one for non-phalanx units.
- units that have an officer like most elite units will still have an empty space behind the officer.
- only your units will be affected, not the AI, which may create an advantage. But since the AI can't handle phalanx anyway, it shouldn't make much difference. It might be possible to do this for the AI as well, by removing the unit spacing in all relevant formation blocks in the AI formations file. But I haven't tested that yet.

I haven't tested yet whether closing the gap does indeed make phalanx units more effective, but alone the looks are worth it

[Somebody Else]

Sounds good!

[Elthore]

this is boss...pass it on
bump

[EvilNed]

"If we can't find a gap, we'll make one!" - Hannibal, before sending in his elephants.

[Proletariat]

Wonderful, thanks!

[AntiochusIII]

"The King of the Seleucid sends his gratitude"

[Simetrical]

It's entirely possible to remove gaps from AI formations by editing the AI formations file.

-Simetrical

[Red Harvest]

The officers fight better than the rank and file soldiers, so the space behind the officer should not pose a problem (unless he gets killed, which rarely happens early in a fight.)

[The Stranger]

RTR already did it. the removed the 3line horse upfront line.

[hoom]

Yeah, those RTR phalanxes look killer
They took out the officers so you get a true gapless line.
The Carthie Libyans still have their officers though...

[The Stranger]

yeah they have forget to remove the officers from some units but i did that myself

[Oaty]

While on a close subject is there anyway to change a units default depth? On normal unit sizes it is'nt a problem, but on huge it's a killer for the A.I. no matter what faction I pile drive their center befor my flanks are fully engaged

[Red Harvest]

Yes, you can alter depth:

formation 1, 1, 2, 2, 8, square, phalanx

Where 8 is the depth.

It is unfortunate that the AI can't handle wider formations properly. The wider depth is more realistic/representative. One of the problems with movement speed is the lateral effect. You can move much more rapidly across the width of the field than would have been possible in real life. This magnifies flanking by an order of magnitude.

[Zorn]

Do these changes apply when you just drag a line with some units?

[Oaty]

Do these changes apply when you just drag a line with some units?

No what it will do is when you go into battle your units will have a depth of 8 instead of 3. What this will effect is the A.I. units will not be stretched across the battlefield. Your units will have a depth 8 upon arriving on the battlefield but you can change the depth to your desire when dragging

[Lochar]

Abyone mind explaining how to make this change to the gap? I tried looking for that file but couldnt find it. I have a unmodded game so far but since I manually set the lines without them I would love to have this pre-set.

[AntiochusIII]

Your Rome Directory\Data\descr_formation.txt is your place.

Get a look in there, they (a CA person who created these files) explain the numbers in there for you.

Bonus: the similar one "descr_formations_ai.txt" are being used by modders in hope of creating a better battle AI (Better lineup for battle). You can play with it yourself, as well.

[Romeus Petrus]

I read somewhere that removing the gaps between units may create a problem in bridge battles. When these units attempt to cross the bridge, they tend to end up drowning in the river. Has anyone tested that?

[Craterus]

no but i have seen units drown in a river so it probably works..

[Romeus Petrus]

So does removing the gaps cause units to drown when crossing the river or do they just do it, gaps or no gaps?

[hoom]

I've seen no such issues with RTR but I can't say I've seen many phalanx units attempt the crossing either.

[SpencerH]

I'd like to see the "special feature" of phalanx units changed so that they can meld into one unit that would not be mobile in rocky or wooded terrain. That would end the gaps too.

[hoom]

Yeh that would be cool