1. Giving the short_pike attribute to units with two weapons (such as Massilian Hoplites) simply doesn't work. Try it to see why.
2. Quite strong - from the front in particular because of the shield bonus and new, tighter formation. Remember, though, they have a lower attack and armor rating. This means that they'll kill slower, though they are now even better "shock troops," and the best hoplites can break enemies with their charge (though this usually only happens against weaker militia or thin formations). But if you can stop their momentum and hold them, they're quite vulnerable to flanking. Spartans might fight even if they're surrounded and their formation is broken, but most hoplites will flee under these conditions. This is my experience, at least.
I almost forgot one more thing: Remember that the Gaestae have had their armor lowered from 5 to 3. So if you use the triarii to hold them and principes to go around to the rear and launch pila up their *ss, they have no chance (as long as they don't rout the triarii on the charge - they're excellent shock troops and heavy javelins can disorder formations).
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