Problems with EB phalanx formation

[NeoSpartan]

To the OP:

Yes what ur describing DOES tend to happen. The phalanx is formed but because they are not in a straight line, so the one of the edges tends have fewer guys. ALSO, as the battle progresses the enemy might kill the few guys or the banner guys on the edges and start "leaking" through the side of ur phalanx and the building.

The best way to avoid this is:
1-get higher quality phalangites, so they don't suck at hand to hand.
2-send ur general/cavarly around the city and hit the enemy from behind.
3-line up spear infantry in a LONG & thing column, have HOLD on, and carefully insert them on the gap between the wall and the phalanxes.
4-Have a Gaesatae behind ur phalanxes. They will scare the enemy and will rout earlier. (just ask madmatg or gauis )

[JeffSteel]

As far as city defense goes, a Tactic I employ from time to time is the "overlapping phalanx" tactic. I put a phalanx unit behind the gate or at another choke point, and spead the unit as far as possible while still maintaining the maximum number of rows that can use their pikes (usually five rows deep). Then, I get a second phalanx and position them right behind the first, again spread as far as maximum offensive capability allows. This way, the pikes of the second phalanx are protruding into the formation of the first phalanx, creating an utterly unbreakable wall so long as it isn't flanked. If the enemy gets through the first "field" of pikes and into melee range of the first pikemen, they get into the range of the second pike "field." Even if the first units formation collapses, all the fighting still takes place in range of the second units pikes. This is useful mainly when theres nowhere to run and you have to hold off a huge enemy force use units have alot of mass to them, like cataphracts or super heavy infantry. I know it's bailed me out in a few tight spots when no other plan would have worked.

[Cheexsta]

If you really need to hold a city with wooden/palisade walls, deploy your phalanxes so that they're almost touching the walls. Turn on phalanx formation and their spears will poke through the walls/gate and kill any enemy trying to ram them (and will normally prevent the ram from even damaging the wall/gate).

AI exploits, ftw.

[runes]

i have been fiddling with this for a while.

flank support is the way to go (as it should be)

example:

i put a unit of argrypisdai (or whichever is the uber heavy seleukid phalanx) and i controlled a unit of principes, and a unit of cheap celtic swordsmen.

principes engage and immediately lose 10 men, and are losing men fast. by the time my celts have circled around, my principes are on the verge of breaking.

my celts (again, cheap, unarmoured i believe) charge, and the battle is slowed.

i end up winning the day.