Schiltron and Shieldwall

[Brightblade]

Hi all,

I'm curious as to the effectiveness of these two formations. I've only tried the shieldwall with my Epirote classical hoplites... any idea if they are worth using?

Anyone had any experience with them? I have a mod that permits them with EB using Bi.EXE

Any feedback is appreciated if these formations are more than just eyecandy

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi,
The sheild wall is a very tightly packed formation, so it should not be used when enemy missiles are raining down on you. It is really just a more balanced phalanx. It is less vunerable to flank attacks that the phalanx yet it is more vunerable to strong frontal assualts. This makes it a useful tool for defense, but it's low movement speed cause it to be terrible in an attack. In that case the best option is to take the unit out of the sheild wall formation.

The schiltron is a fully defensive formation especially useful against cavalry. The unit gather itself in circle with spears leveled to repel attackers. Although the unit has no visiable flanks, due to it's dense formation, it is vunerable to missile fire and a good strong charge from an elite unit can often break it up. Sadly the unit also cannot move in anyway so it can only be used for defensive situations.

I hope this helps, cheers!

[Zarax]

Units can move in schiltrom, also shield wall is extremely good against non piercing missiles from the front...

[Brightblade]

I was wondering also if they are really worth it... I mean, it's not often the AI will get you in a position that you really have to go desperate in a battle if your troops are good and not Illyrian Levis :)

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Units can move in schiltrom, also shield wall is extremely good against non piercing missiles from the front...

The R:TW manual says that they can't. Wierd.

[Zarax]

I'm pretty sure I've seen moving schiltroms, although very slow...

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Hi,
The sheild wall is a very tightly packed formation, so it should not be used when enemy missiles are raining down on you. It is really just a more balanced phalanx. It is less vunerable to flank attacks that the phalanx yet it is more vunerable to strong frontal assualts. This makes it a useful tool for defense, but it's low movement speed cause it to be terrible in an attack. In that case the best option is to take the unit out of the sheild wall formation.

Partially true. Shieldwall is almost invulnerable to missile fire from the front, although speed is reduced a very large, closely packed, formation of men will hit a small area of the enemy line. This can be devastating. My rule of thumb is "If they have shieldwall turn it on and leave it on." I have also seen a flanked shieldwall turn and fight back-to back. When surrounded they will last better than in open formation.

The schiltron is a fully defensive formation especially useful against cavalry. The unit gather itself in circle with spears leveled to repel attackers. Although the unit has no visiable flanks, due to it's dense formation, it is vunerable to missile fire and a good strong charge from an elite unit can often break it up. Sadly the unit also cannot move in anyway so it can only be used for defensive situations.

I hope this helps, cheers!

This is a last ditch formation really, should your line be froken you can form vulnerable untis into shield-circles and they should hold until you can plug the gap.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Two things about shieldwalls:
1- The AI doesn't seem to like to use it.
2- If you like guys randomly flying into the air while slowly moving, the shieldwall is great!

[Zarax]

1) AI can be pushed to use shield wall, Darth formations managed to make it possible at least in XGM, where units would do that if you bring heavy cav...

2) Probably a low mass problem, in XGM heavy inf with shield wall never gave me the problem, having a slightly higher mass.