How effective is loose formation in combat?

[the_handsome_viking]

The question is quite simple, how effective is loose formation in combat?

One would assume, according to various historical texts and a close examination of the weapons of the Ancient Celts that a loose formation fighting style would on the offensive, be highly beneficial to make the best use of their weapons of choice, often longswords.

The question is, is this advantage properly represented in EB??

I recently just played a battle where I set all my swordsmen to loose formation and all out charged the enemy line, what ended up happening was my forces initially overwhelmed the Romans and made several units rout, right off the bat just because of the sheer frightening look of the attack.

That said, I was outnumbered and the two armies facing me had initiated combat with me so I thought "what the heck" and just opted for an all out charge against the Roman lines.

I felt this was a surprisingly historically accuracte battle because despite the Romans initially fleeing the scene, they eventually regrouped and fought in a much more dence formation and eventually beat my army, (I suppose the fact that the other army showed up at this point might have had a hand in the battle) but what seemed to be most interesting was the success loose formation had on my swords units.

So, does loose formation have its advantages outside of making your men harder targets?

And if not would it be possible to edit the mod to allow this to be the case?

[blacksnail]

So, does loose formation have its advantages outside of making your men harder targets?

Its primary intention is to avoid missile fire, to scare enemy armies by appearing to have many more men than you actually have, and in some cases to avoid as much damage from elephants (though the unit will much more likely rout).

And if not would it be possible to edit the mod to allow this to be the case?

No, I believe the loose formation game effects are hardcoded.

[the_handsome_viking]

Its primary intention is to avoid missile fire, to scare enemy armies by appearing to have many more men than you actually have, and in some cases to avoid as much damage from elephants (though the unit will much more likely rout).


No, I believe the loose formation game effects are hardcoded.

Very unfortunate.

[LordCurlyton]

Wouldn't simulating that just mean putting Celtic sword units in a not-as-dense formation as others (which seems to be the case)? As said, the loose in RTW is a missile deterrent only.

[NeoSpartan]

hum..... I will use the loose formation swarming technique with in my Great Gallic Campain with Botoroans, Botroans, and Gaestae (sp on all 3).

I'll report back....

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From my experience, units in loose formation in melee will get their arse kicked by units in tight formation. Just because with tighter formation you'd have several soldiers fighting one ''loose-formation'' enemy.