Question about units that use both spear and sword.

**Biggus Diccus** · 05-15-2007, 16:57

Let me first say that this is a awesome mod! I'm just starting to explore it a little and it is obvious that a massive amount of work has been invested in it. I find that my performance in battles is much more imortant now, since everything is more expensive and casualties really hurt money-wise. This is why I have tried to use my units to their maximum potential and I have some questions in that regard...

Is it possible to make units that have sword primary/spear secondary to deploy with spear defensively to get the braced bonuses? And in what situations should I have them use spear or sword (I know about ALT+right-click). Is it just as simple as sword vs infantry and spear vs cavalry, or is there som other hidden bonuses apart from attack value? Like attack speed or lethality for the different weapons?

**Sakkura** · 05-15-2007, 18:55

At least for cavalry, spear/lance/whatever is usually best for charging while swords are better for continued melee fighting. But you can take a look at the stats yourself in the unit cards here: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=70

**Bonny** · 05-15-2007, 19:18

Is it possible to make units that have sword primary/spear secondary to deploy with spear defensively to get the braced bonuses? And in what situations should I have them use spear or sword (I know about ALT+right-click). Is it just as simple as sword vs infantry and spear vs cavalry, or is there som other hidden bonuses apart from attack value? Like attack speed or lethality for the different weapons?

There are several sword/spear Infantry units in EB (Solduros, Hypaspistai, Gastiz...), but i don't know how the bonusses for them work.

**Spoofa** · 05-15-2007, 22:57

do Hypaspistai use spears by default or swords?

**Pharnakes** · 05-15-2007, 22:58

Swords I think. IIRC all dual units do, thats why hoplites and triarii had to have their swords removed.

**il-principe** · 05-15-2007, 23:04

That's all very confusing for me. Do I have to change the weapon manually or will the unit choose the right automatically? E. G. spear against cavalry, sword against infantry.

**Pharnakes** · 05-15-2007, 23:05

They will to a certain extent, but only individualy, to change the whole unit you need to use alt. right click.

**Centurio Nixalsverdrus** · 05-19-2007, 03:29

My Hypaspistai always stand around with their swords... but when an enemy comes along, the ones fighting switch to spears, the rest stay with their swords.

So if I ALT-click on the enemy, don't they switch entirely to spears? How do I get them to use their swords? And wouldn't they leave their position when I tell them "attack"? I want them to hold the line.

**Bonny** · 05-19-2007, 11:46

Sword Spear units:

If you click to Attack an enemy unit, they charge with their spears but then switch to the swords in hand to hand fighting. If a soldier gets knocked down and stands up again he begins fighting with his spear (thats why you always see some soldiers fighting with their spears while the units attacks with their swords)

If you want them to fight with their spears (against cavalry) you need to alt + click on the enemy.