How effective is loose formation in combat?

**NeoSpartan** · 06-07-2007, 21:10

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....

**blank** · 06-07-2007, 22:30

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.

**Danest** · 06-07-2007, 23:19

Some units are already not quite as closely packed as others. Comparing certain skirmishers on tight formation to certain phalanxes on tight formation is a good way to see the difference. The skirmishers take up much more space even on tight, as they are spread out more. Some celtic units are probably also not as tightly packed on tight formation as the phalanxes would be.

**Pharnakes** · 06-07-2007, 23:34

Phalanxes aren't actualy all that tight, not compared to hoplotai or simmilar.

**Danest** · 06-07-2007, 23:40

Maybe I meant hoplite. Well, a lot of the greek/successor factions have units that fight in very tight formations compared to certain skirmishers in tight formation.

**Centurio Nixalsverdrus** · 06-08-2007, 00:09

I found it's good to order units like Galatikoi Kluddolon in loose formation, because they can "infiltrate" the enemy's line easier. Quite senseless when the enemy is in such a dense formation like Hoplitai, of course.

**Bert Preast** · 06-08-2007, 09:28

Casse sword-masters default to a loose formation. Odd really, as slingers still take them down like skittles yet when they get into melee it's like watching a lawnmower at work.