Spanish Square

**Vladimir** · 10-11-2005, 15:20

Sound familiar to anyone? I know I’m digging back to my high school history but I remember a mixed formation of Arquebusiers and spear-type troops in a square formation. This formation allowed the guns to engage the enemy while the spears defended the gunners. When I tried to create this formation in a custom battle using loose formation (to hopefully eliminate squeeze penalty) I was unable to create the formation. Even orderly, formed troops on loose formation aren’t in a solid line and the spacing between rows is uneven. If one row will fit in a space ultimately others won’t. This is frustrating because even though the projected (space bar) formation is perfectly straight the result isn’t. So far the best use I’ve found for them is that cavalry LOVE charging after them in the line allowing an easy flank and rear attack while my expensive gunners are cut down. I’ve looked at the spreadsheets but couldn’t find an answer there. Why can the AI consistently bunch up units while I’m unable to create a similar formation?

**bretwalda** · 10-11-2005, 17:52

Can you put two units on the top of each other at all?

It can work the old way: gunmen front, pikes in the rear and when the enemy charge gun skirmish back while pikes run forward.

**Vladimir** · 10-11-2005, 19:59

Originally Posted by bretwalda

Can you put two units on the top of each other at all?

It can work the old way: gunmen front, pikes in the rear and when the enemy charge gun skirmish back while pikes run forward.

I've done something similar with my offensive formation. Pavaise whatever in loose formation out front of my spears on loose formation. If cavalry charge I can easily move the pavaise back and tighten the spears when they pass. I would need to put the pikes on loose formation and hope they’d close up in time to receive the charge but with the short range of the guns I don’t think there’d be enough time for them to retreat back. It would take too long if they’re both on close formation and that’s especially important for the guns. Units can stack when they’re attacking something like on a bridge but can’t do it when standing. But I guess I’ll have to use your suggestion and hope they don’t get shot up by archers or run down by horses.

**Evil_Maniac From Mars** · 10-11-2005, 22:00

It might work if you ran them forward, pikes and guns in loose formation, then halted the guns in the middle of the pikes?

**Procrustes** · 10-11-2005, 22:28

I don't understand why you want to bunch up units, but as far as the formation you are describing it sounds a lot like the one called (I think) the English Square in MTW/VI. I use it quite a bit when I'm defending - it arranges your heavy infantry in front with your missiles behind in a three-sided square. It's perfect if you can put it around a small wooded area or at the top of a small hill. On defense you can tweak the position of the units all you want.

Hope this helps,