[EB] Phalanx Noob Box - And how to beat it?

[Macilrille]

6 Medininkas then, not even Cretans can stand up to that firepower and they can actually melee a bit if needs be.

He he he, did I ever mention that I can read passibly Dutch.

[Apázlinemjó]

A HA based army could easily beat the phalanx box, moreover if you are fast enough your opponent won't even have the time to form one.

Or

If you are playing with a Hellenistic faction, then just concentrate your phalangites (if it's allowed stack them on each other) on one of the side of the box until it breaks up, then swarm inside the box with the more mobile infantry. After that, the box's other sides will probably turn around and you can bring your cavalry against their rears.

[seienchin]

Off course there are no(!!!) archer armies, who can defeat Phalanx boxes, simply because one unit of archers in EB hasnt enought arrows to kill one units of phalangitai. Further many phalanx boxes also have archers in there middle, but still its not neccesary. The two things, that easily break Phalangitai are:
Heavy infantry exploiting the klick behind the unit trick. They just storm into the phalanx destroying it in melee. Still its nearly useless against agyraspidai and difficult agains eastern levy phalangitai...(Axes) . The other thing is to just bring your own phalangitai and just use them in overwhelming numbers on one side.

My favourite method is:
1.Shoot less protected phalangitai with archers or slingers in the back,
2.exhaust the enemy elite phalangitai with hoplite just standing in front of the enemy pikes. (They wont take too much casualties and the phalangitai will tire)
3. Atack with heavy infantry or medium infantry with AP weapons. The phalangitai wont kill too much, when they are exhausted.
If you dont wannt to exploit the klick behind trick you will need phalangitai by yourself or gesatae in the corners.
In MP Battles Generals have no stars so exhausted phalangitai with casualties might rout against gesatae. In the single player a 10Star AI General building a box would be impossible to beat. Luckily there is no such thing with the KI. ^^

EDIT:
4-5 Arrow throwers might just panik your enemy enough to force him to atack, but than off course you might loose the battle because you have significant less money for real troops.

[athanaric]

6 Medininkas then, not even Cretans can stand up to that firepower and they can actually melee a bit if needs be.

Medininkas have 25 ammo, Cretans have 35 plus far better protection.
Focus fire is the magic word.
Medininkas can also be used to mop up, allowing you to field more of them and have minimal cavalry. This might be a risky move though, if he changes tactics.

And unlimited arrow mode is lame, plus it might backfire (ha ha) if he has enough Cretans.

Off course there are no(!!!) archer armies, who can defeat Phalanx boxes, simply because one unit of archers in EB hasnt enought arrows to kill one units of phalangitai. Further many phalanx boxes also have archers in there middle, but still its not neccesary. The two things, that easily break Phalangitai are:
Heavy infantry exploiting the klick behind the unit trick. They just storm into the phalanx destroying it in melee. Still its nearly useless against agyraspidai and difficult agains eastern levy phalangitai...(Axes) . The other thing is to just bring your own phalangitai and just use them in overwhelming numbers on one side.

I can tell you from experience that Sreni Pattya Yoddaha can shred Panda Phalanx in a few seconds, if they attack at the right angle. I've learned the hard way not to use too many phalanxes when assaulting Indian towns.

Polybian Principes or Legionaries are also good for wearing a phalanx down, or for massed assault.

My favourite method is:
1.Shoot less protected phalangitai with archers or slingers in the back,
2.exhaust the enemy elite phalangitai with hoplite just standing in front of the enemy pikes. (They wont take too much casualties and the phalangitai will tire)
3. Atack with heavy infantry or medium infantry with AP weapons. The phalangitai wont kill too much, when they are exhausted.
If you dont wannt to exploit the klick behind trick you will need phalangitai by yourself or gesatae in the corners.

I concur. My tips were also meant to work without the exploit.

[G. Septimus]

Choose some Mobile, Heavy Infantry , fight Noob Boxes with Mobility
"Blitzkrieg"
anything mobile can destroy ANY unmobile force, mark my words...

[antisocialmunky]

My old Rome Solution:

Get lots of Pedites Extraordinarii or something similarly heavily armored/densely packed/AP. I hear Getai units work well too. Bring some nakeds/chariots and at least one archer so you can stack the fire arrow bonus.

Stack several of them ontop of each other, put them in guard mode and order them to run behind and repeat the order if the units start breaking formation.

When they are half way through, take them out of guard. If they are in a box, you'll have to do this to multiple sides at once. Phalangites in EB are otherwise too powerful for any sort of frontal attack except maybe by a deeper formation of better phalangites with guard mode off.

[vartan]

My old Rome Solution:

Get lots of Pedites Extraordinarii or something similarly heavily armored/densely packed/AP. I hear Getai units work well too. Bring some nakeds/chariots and at least one archer so you can stack the fire arrow bonus.

Stack several of them ontop of each other, put them in guard mode and order them to run behind and repeat the order if the units start breaking formation.

When they are half way through, take them out of guard. If they are in a box, you'll have to do this to multiple sides at once. Phalangites in EB are otherwise too powerful for any sort of frontal attack except maybe by a deeper formation of better phalangites with guard mode off.

What he said. Anti and I tested this, he should remember. His pedites cut through, albeit with some losses. But it works.

[Skullheadhq]

Oh one more thing, he is always Epeiros and uses the most expensive one, I'll set the money maximum lower for increased variety.
He also has some thorakitai in the middle.
I wrote Macilrille's strategy down but will use some other ideas you all gave me as well. Match is in a few hours.

[mountaingoat]

flaming pigs!

or HA

[athanaric]

Oh one more thing, he is always Epeiros and uses the most expensive one, I'll set the money maximum lower for increased variety.
He also has some thorakitai in the middle.

Well, then make him play another faction. Rome has very strong defensive infantry as well, without the possibility of Noob Boxes. It should be sufficient for a compromise.