Possible Phalanx Revelation

[InsaneApache]

Jeez guys...your so unforgiving, lighten up on a new member.

Thnx for the info Marcus Maxentius...

[Kekvit Irae]

I've learned something new from this thread

[Viking]

I've learned something new from this thread

Me to!

[Marcus Maxentius]

Thanks everybody and sorry if I dug up old fossils, but I'm intent on figuring out how to use a unit that gets so much flak for being nothing more than a meat shield for missle units. I did some more testing and my earlier results were a fluke it seems that the gaurd button doesn't control movement like I said.

But, I was led to another possibility after noticing that. Now, most people have two complaints about phalanxs. One is they never get close enough to engage with their spears/pikes. Two is that some of the enemy gets to close and the phalanx switches to swords.

Here is why-- Gaurd mode tells the unit to keep their distance from the enemy and only stab soliders who approach the spear points. Thye'll still try to move forward or the right whatever but always with the enemy infront not inside the pikes if possible.

Gaurd mode off causes the phalanxs to close that distance, keep moving physically closer to the enemy. The problem is that now your enemy might be stabbing at you inside your pike line. And a few of your guys are so close they use their swords.

Best solution is to attack first with gaurd on and then turn it off so you move close enough to start knocking the other side down and then turn guard mode back on to lock that distance in. And during the battle use this again to readjust as necessary.

[tibilicus]

Cool. i will try with a my spartans in my camaign later. thanks for the tip

[The_Mark]

as far as one-on-one goes with phalanxes, you just have to make sure you have more or equal frontage than the enemy

I actually find that a few ranks deeper phalanx will rip through shallow ones.

[iostream]

I actually find that a few ranks deeper phalanx will rip through shallow ones.

yup that's true. but I presume he was talking about against other non-phalanx infantry, in which case a wider front is better

[Titus Livius]

Thanks everybody and sorry if I dug up old fossils, but I'm intent on figuring out how to use a unit that gets so much flak for being nothing more than a meat shield for missle units.

No worries, dude. I've noticed that SOME members in particular are very caustic and rude in almost every post. You've taught me something new as well.

I'm reading another book on Alexander right now and his invincible phalanx, but you'd never know they were from the way phalanxes play in the game. I would enjoy playing phalanx-factions more if I had the knowledge to make them more effective, and any help from members who take the time to experiment is much appreciated.

[Marcus Maxentius]

I felt this forum was getting too centered of late on what things don't work in the game as opposed to how things work in the game. I want to test my idea against a unit of roman legionarres with their short gladii. Against hoplites, my macedonian phalanx killed half of them with 0 casualties. I paused the game and saw how all of my pikes were gouging the greeks while they were stabbing at air. If I get the similar results, you definitely don't want to use roman infantry to hold a phalanx for a cav charge.

[Kraxis]

That depends on what kind of phalanx you are up against. Silver Shields, Sacred Band or Spartans might not be a choice target for your legionaries in a frontal attack. But Levy Pikemen and Hoplites can be held for a good while with fair casualties until the cavalry can deal with them from the rear or flank.

But yes, pikes and spears in phalanx outreach shorter weapons, and they are solid, so usually you won't suffer many losses to short weapons in the center of the unit.

[MajorFreak]

Best solution is to attack first with gaurd on and then turn it off so you move close enough to start knocking the other side down and then turn guard mode back on to lock that distance in. And during the battle use this again to readjust as necessary.

Ignore the trolls. THAT post is gold. it's not even found in the research thread dedicated to it.

[Colovion]

you'll find that in gaurd mode the phalanx attampts to hold cohesion in their formation first, and kill the enemy second - it's the opposite when out of gaurd/phalanx mode, but it's a nice balance when out of gaurd yet still within phalanx mode

[Jonny Dangerously]

Jeez guys...your so unforgiving, lighten up on a new member.

Thnx for the info Marcus Maxentius...

I agree.

And I didn't know that either. Thanks Marcus.

[Azi Tohak]

Gracias. That will be fun to try when I start using Phalanxes in the RTR again. And it never hurts to remind people of important things like that.

Azi