RTW unit rank depth?

**magnum** · 06-07-2005, 19:37

There is no inherent penelty for depth of missle units like there was in MTW, so you can have very deep missle formations and still be extremely effective.

As for infantry units, while there are bonuses for depth, they aren't great enough to compensate for the bonus one gets for 'wrapping.' Wrapping is where the men of your unit wraps around the edges of the enemys formation. It can also go the other way, the enemy wrapping around your formation. As such, about the most important factor in depth is 'wide enough that your front is equal or greater than theirs.' Remember though that vs cavalry/chariots its better to have a deep formation as that tends to engulf the charging unit into had-to-hand fighting. So theres a trade off that depends more on who/what you are facing more than enything else.

**hoom** · 06-07-2005, 20:16

I actually tend to go for roughly square with flank infantry & cavs.
This is at least partially because I use huge units & it can be hard to maneuvre properly with the units out wide.

**Kagemusha** · 06-07-2005, 20:33

I also use Huge units,but i like my cavalry in three ranks.I almost newer charge to on unit but i order them to charge behind or next to on unit.Wrapping with cavalry.

**The Stranger** · 06-07-2005, 21:15

could do. but i think pursuing is bugged. it never charges a running unit from his direct angle but, always tries to get behind it. when fighting cav, i loose precious time this way. and it's very frustrating.

**Kagemusha** · 06-07-2005, 21:32

Originally Posted by Emperor Umeu 1

could do. but i think pursuing is bugged. it never charges a running unit from his direct angle but, always tries to get behind it. when fighting cav, i loose precious time this way. and it's very frustrating.

Im with you on this one the pursuig cavary on RTW seems to me bit stupid.While they could just punish those running enemies.They do those stupid maneuvers and distance themselves from the enemy.Usually when i chase the enemy i order my whole wings of cavalry to charge on the same direction where enemies are runnig if they pass the enemy i charge back at them.

**Oaty** · 06-08-2005, 01:13

8-10 ranks deep for me. Very effective against cavalry but of course the unit has to be standing still.

Also I increased the default depth for the A.I. with 6-8 ranks for most infantry and the A.I. comes out with increased morale and units that stay in the fray longer.

So depth definately adds morale. I don't reccomend less than 5 ranks deep for most infantry units as it can lead into the unit getting broken into 2.

**Marquis of Roland** · 06-08-2005, 01:38

Good points, thanks for all the info. Particularly useful for me is knowing that there are no rank penalties for missile units, now I don't have to stretch my archers out in those ridiculously long lines.

I usually keep my infantry in 5-6 ranks deep, so I guess I've been doing everything ok.... I just keep thinking back to how Hannibal boxed in the Romans at Cannae....