Voulgiers, Guard Mode and Spearwall - how to use it?

**moonshiner57** · 10-22-2007, 12:05

Hi all,

after all the help I got here with my last Byzantine campaign, I have recently taken the fate of the French into my hands, again using the highly recommended LTC mod. Things are going well and at 1220 my fortress in Toulouse is able to produce Voulgiers. Tres bien!!!

Les Voulgiers are very welcome to defend against the backstabbing Portugese - now if I only knew what combination of Guard Mode/Spearwall is best used? I usually deploy defensively, as most attacking is done by the superb French cavalry. I use Guard Mode then, wanting the Voulgiers to stay in line and hold, rather than kill.

Should I turn Spearwall on as well? Or turn it off? I have really no idea what it does apart from the nifty stance my men take - what effects does it have?

Generally, fellow french players - how do you like to use Voulgiers? They just look too cool to be relegated to the sidelines methinks.

Merci all!

**Henry707** · 10-22-2007, 16:30

Bonjour,

As an experienced France player, I would say leave them on the touchline with the half-time garlic & baguettes.

The French have a great unit roster & there's better in there for whatever job you have in mind so ditch them is my advice.

I can't answer your question proper as I just had a quick look at them, then used other units instead. I'm not good with names but the shield guys (seargants?) are great blockers & in the late period you have plenty of hackers & slashers in there.

Keep on with France mon ami & turn the world into a one big snail-eating monde!!!!

Bon chance.

Henri

**WhiskeyGhost** · 10-22-2007, 19:07

I would suggest trying the Spearwall +Guard mode On till initial impact, then turning off Guard Mode technique. It's worked wonders with anything with spearwall i've used before, even halberds (to some degree)

**TevashSzat** · 10-23-2007, 02:20

Originally Posted by WhiskeyGhost

I would suggest trying the Spearwall +Guard mode On till initial impact, then turning off Guard Mode technique. It's worked wonders with anything with spearwall i've used before, even halberds (to some degree)

This is the best strategy I believe. NEVER have guard off during impact as it will just waste your spearwall formation

**TheLastPrivate** · 10-23-2007, 02:39

I love voulgiers personally, and if the french had musketeers I probably use them more though. Must make do with aventuriers...
Keep the spearwall and guard mode on, and after the enemy charges the wall turn off guard mode immediately and set them hacking. Spearwall doesn't seem to make that much of a difference, as they have no secondary weapons and they don't poke anyways. But its good to have a non-spear infantry that can survive a charge and have AP.

**Czar Alexsandr** · 10-23-2007, 03:29

Voulgiers are a highly defensive troop armed with a halberd. They are excellent infantry that can fight well and hold their own in any battle. The durability of thesse guys is truly amazing. I've done countless battles where the Voulgeirs are surrounded and manage to hold off until I can send in reinforcements. And that's the best thing about the Voulgier I think. They can survive anything. They can't beat every enemy, but they can certainly be an obstacle to any opponent. Try using them on the flanks to trap enemy infantry.

**Kobal2fr** · 10-22-2007, 19:24

I have to agree on this - voulgiers seem to be weak halberdiers, and seeing that regular halberdiers aren't that great anyway...
Besides, France has the best horses there are. And basically, that's all they need : anything that has "spear" or "pike" in their name, you let the footknights and/or Xbows butcher. Anything else, you charge right through with your horses. It's no bug that France has both Noble Knights and Chivalric Knights with the same stats : you have twice more cav than anyone else. Factor in order knights (templars/hospitalers), and you can pretty much steamroll any army, be it on foot, on horse or with bows. See my sig for further details :)

Voulgiers can theoretically hold a horsecharge if in spear wall, but then again so can your own cav...

**Grog** · 10-22-2007, 21:27

Ah but you forget Kobal, there is always a place for style over efficiency!

Seriously though, I usually found a place for voulgiers in my french late armies after they proved themselves against the mongols. Sure I always keep some chivalric cav, lots of DFK and some DNK, and the rest arbusquiers/scots guard, but the voulgiers in spearwall set in front of Trebs/cannon on a hill were always useful for me. I certainly found them more durable than the french late city pikes at any rate.

Also, I have had Voulgiers stand up to an elephant charge long enough for my DNK's to flank charge in, although my general was close behind the spearwall.

**Kobal2fr** · 10-23-2007, 05:48

Originally Posted by Grog

Ah but you forget Kobal, there is always a place for style over efficiency!

Seriously though, I usually found a place for voulgiers in my french late armies after they proved themselves against the mongols. Sure I always keep some chivalric cav, lots of DFK and some DNK, and the rest arbusquiers/scots guard, but the voulgiers in spearwall set in front of Trebs/cannon on a hill were always useful for me. I certainly found them more durable than the french late city pikes at any rate.

Also, I have had Voulgiers stand up to an elephant charge long enough for my DNK's to flank charge in, although my general was close behind the spearwall.

True, but then again, voulgiers aren't that stylish to begin with. Now, Pikemen, they have feathered berets and puffy pants and stuff. Always a plus in Jean-Paul Gaultier's army. Plus they do the "hold and stay alive until cav can charge their backs" thing better than voulgiers too (well, they do when you micro them or at least turn guard mode and spearwall off after the enemy charge is over), so... not much of a dilemma.

**Henry707** · 10-23-2007, 08:36

In terms of outfits, those fluffy trousers & berries are a sure-fire hit with both the ladies & the gentlemen, depending which way les garcons swings!

Henri

**DVX BELLORVM** · 10-23-2007, 10:16

Originally Posted by Kobal2fr

Plus they do the "hold and stay alive until cav can charge their backs" thing better than voulgiers too (well, they do when you micro them or at least turn guard mode and spearwall off after the enemy charge is over)

Aren't you supposed to leave spearwall on, and turn the guard off ?