Quote Originally Posted by Rebellious Waffle
Intriguing. The problem didn't exist in R:TW phalanx formations, I'm certain of that. Whatever bug is causing the problem, it's in original code designed for this specific game...
Defiitely, in RTW any unit's front rank(s) hitting the front of a phalanx/spearwall type formation got mauled until the rest of the formation could wade in and engage with their own weapons instead of impaling themselves on 8 feet long spears.

Pike formations in MTW2 are pretty much useless unless low-mid level cavalry charge directly into the spear wall, and even then they take a hit with the charge bonus that most melee cav carry.