Strategic Help

[ajdeignan]

Hi All,

DON'T adopt the manipular formation INTO combat, it is simply a method of march to arrive at the moment of impact. Otherwise your hastati units will be swallowed by very large units of Gauls and eaten alive. If you play on huge and your units default formnation is 4-men deep, adopt a manipular formation that is 8-men deep, with a gap between units equal to one unit in 8-men depth. Just before the enemy arrive, expand the first line (Hastati) so that they are in 4-men ranks (close all gaps). Think like a phalanx; once Romans are in guard mode in a continuous line, they present are very armoured front. The principes (2nd line) maintain the 8-men depth until they are needed (expand to 4-men depth, then charge once they have expended all pilum). I don't retreat the Hastiti (lose too many men when you 'about face'), I simply move the Principe forward through the Hastati unit until it is in combat. At the same time the Hastati are getting pushed back anyway. It's very rare for me to use the Triarii at all (except to mop up the routers) - as was historical in victorious situations.

To koony;
I prefer to keep my Roman units in guard mode when on the defensive. The roman's have such poor charge bonuses that it's better to remain still and let the enemy crash into you ("hold the line"). In guard mode, my units tire the enemy without losing many of their own. This gives the flankers time to get around the sides. Plus roman units tended to grind the enemy into submission (very little individual impressive swordmanship).