Viability of Stakes

[GryfynBlade]

I'm just in from the single player microcosm, and I'm wondering whether or not sharpened stakes are of any real use in multiplayer.

Skimming through this and other multiplayer forums, I note that there is a great deal of emphasis put onto movement and flanking. Is there, then, any real viability for the stationary stakes viable at all?

Thanks, in advance.

[t1master]

there's a thread about the stake box army. it kinda got derailed, but the stakes can be employed in mp, and some teams have had a fun go of it. they can be employed like a trap while your armies jockey about, but you'll most likely die horribly if you camp around your stake box.

edit: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=78370

[Stig]

I won one battle in them, and lost a 2vs3 while we both had stake boxes. They work, just hope that your enemy hasn't got Musketeers.

[RTKBarrett]

Against an experienced mper i cant see it working in a 1v1 scene mate... however they are still fun in team games... worst part is if ure own routing cav run back into them

[Stig]

You'd be suprised.
Cav can't charge into it, and Sherwood Archers and Yeomen and Retinue Longbowmen have great melee stats.
Most of the time the enemy doesn't dare to attack, and he needs to march his men in, running won't help and only kill.
Sides, put some dismounted knights with them for support (or Billmen in 1.2) and it should work very well.

You might lose, but not by much (unless they manage to get your general early and all starts routing).

[pike master]

the best use for them is that they can deny the battlefield to running cavalry and help shape the battlefield to the defenders preference.

secondly is that if done properly they can be used to ambush an unsuspecting opponent. as in deploying the stakes in an unlikely place, but only laid down just before you end deployment phase, then rush your archers to a different position when the battle starts.