Hoplite Nitpick

**Ferromancer** · 05-14-2007, 21:15

I have a feeling this is a limitation of the Rome Total War's engine, but it seems like the hoplites (overhand spearmen) have the exact same attack range as sword-bearing units. I understand that it's a different formation than the two-handed phalanx, but the second row doesn't try to take potshots even though their spears would easily reach.

I'll post a screenshot tonight if I have time.

**MarcusAureliusAntoninus** · 05-14-2007, 21:47

Yeah, that's a RTW thing. Only the first row can attack.

**Pharnakes** · 05-14-2007, 22:04

Hmm, i could have sworn i've seen more than one row attack, that might be cause I use BI and shield walls though?

**Watchman** · 05-14-2007, 22:09

No idea really, but I've noticed that the combination of the BI shieldwall and the "spear" weapon attribute (this was on the "double armed" Massiloi Hoplitai incidentally - the "spear" attribute has enough odd issues I don't use it for troops with just one melee weapon) seemed to prompt at least the second rank to do their attack animation whereas when the same unit employed swords only the first rank did.

**Ferromancer** · 05-14-2007, 22:17

I am using BI. How do you use/enable the shield wall?

**russia almighty** · 05-14-2007, 22:19

My only extremely minor beef is Hoplites depending on which faction look like they're wearing leather armor vs. lino.

**Watchman** · 05-14-2007, 22:20

Originally Posted by Ferromancer

I am using BI. How do you use/enable the shield wall?

You find the unit entry in the EDU and add ", shield_wall" to the end of the formation line. It takes a bit more work to get the proper interface icon though.

Originally Posted by russia almighty

My only extremely minor beef is Hoplites depending on which faction look like they're wearing leather armor vs. lino.

Any reason why they couldn't be - or linothorax covered with leather, for that matter ?

**Dyabedes of Aphrodisias** · 05-14-2007, 22:48

Originally Posted by Ferromancer

I am using BI. How do you use/enable the shield wall?

Use one of the several mods available to give units shield wall, or do it yourself in the EDU.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 05-14-2007, 23:05

Originally Posted by russia almighty

My only extremely minor beef is Hoplites depending on which faction look like they're wearing leather armor vs. lino.

Most linthorax is cothered with leather to protect it from the wet, and to add that little bit extra bodily protection. However in most cases it is bleached white. The actual linthorax itself would be a rather mucky colour, what with the undyed linin and the glue.

**NeoSpartan** · 05-14-2007, 23:33

some Hoplites even have bronze scales in thier Linothorax. In my aedui campain I am training Hoplites from southern italy and they have bonze scales. Its cool when you line them up next to mercenary hoplites. You get a nice view of different shiled designs.

I like it.

**Ferromancer** · 05-15-2007, 02:04

Could someone please post me a link to the mod that enables a shield wall? I'm having trouble finding it on google and in the forums? Thanks.

**Watchman** · 05-15-2007, 05:20

Thorlof's.
JMRC's.
Mine. I'm thinking of revising this one in the near future though.

**Ferromancer** · 05-16-2007, 03:17

hmm, I took a look at those links, and they all seem to modify things other than just unit formations. You mentioned that if I add shield_wall myself to the unit files, I won't have the icon for it? Then how do I use the shield wall in the game?

EDIT: It seems that Watchman's mod makes the fewest changes.

**Ferromancer** · 05-16-2007, 04:44

~~Watchman: I got your mod to work, shieldwall is available for hoplite units, such as Triarii. However, all my samnite medium spearmen look like legionnaires now! Any way I could fix this bug?~~ Reloaded the game, and everything looked fine. Maybe I was looking at a centurion from another unit.