Originally Posted by
Kraut
We all know some basic rules from the very beginning of playing RTW. One of this rules is without doubt "Whoever attacks the phalanx from the front will die" and the answer to this problem is always the same: pin and flank the phalanx with melee (sword) fighters or rush some cavalry from the back. Up to here, everything is fine.
But now this wisdom has obviously led to some misconceptions regarding the abilities of the Greek hoplite (and his younger brother, the Macedonian pikeman) in close quarters combat. Of course it is correct that the phalanx is slow, has its business end to only one direction at a time, leaving the other directions virtually helpless and is not very agile - ever tried to turn a phalanx into the direction of a suddenly flanking unit in time? You know what I mean. So leading a Greek army into battle would mostly look the same: ram your solid phalanx into the enemy battle line, with missile troops peppering them from behind and your cavalry doing some harrassing. If the enemy will root, itīs a good day. If the enemy manages to flank you, itīs probably a bad day. And you never would think about flanking the enemy battle line with Hoplites, right?
Of course you may have tried, and sometimes have had success. But then you found that most of the time it takes too long to move the slow phalanx at the side, around the enemy and into his flank. Too much time, so the enemy can well react. Stupid slow moving phalanx, isnīt it?
Now we should learn that all this applies to the phalanx very well, but not to the Hoplite himself. A hoplite CAN run (you probably already wondered why those funny Greeks invented the Olympic Games if they could not even run) and a hoplite HAS a sword dangling at his belt ready to be used and a hoplite so CAN engage in close combat. What does this mean? A hoplite can flank enemy units and slaughter them with the sword. Just make it real! To the lower left of the screen, there is this funny button "special ability: phalanx" which is turned on by standard setup. Click it, and you will notice your hoplites rise their spears. NOW they are faster, they can run, and they can maneuver around the enemy battle line smooth. This was step one. Step two is just hold down "Alt" and double-rightclick on the enemy to use the "alternative melee weapon" which is the sword. You will see the nice picture of hoplites charging into the enemy flank/back with swords ahead, slaughtering the infidels.
Now you probably would say "but the Greeks are not sword fighters, they will not do well in this role". So letīs compare the stats for melee weapons (attack/charge bonus) with a people you would tell are sword fighters: the Romans.
Melee weapon (sword) attack/charge values:
Hastati and Principes: 7/2
Hoplites: 5/2 (same for Macedonian Phalanx Pikemen)
Armored Hoplites: 7/3 (same for Macedonian Royal Pikemen)
We notice that ArmHoplites give just an as good sword fighter as Principes. Stunning, isnīt it? Of course normal Hoplites are not superior sword fighters (same values as Heavy Peltasts) but are useful for flanking though. However, Militia Hoplites donīt fit the bill. Use them as phalanx, not as sword fighters. You will produce Hoplites early in the game, which gives you first ability to conduct close combat in needy situations. Of course try to get armored Hoplites as soon as possible, because they are the class of sword fighters you need to compare with real enemies. Now letīs have a look at the sword fighting Spartans:
Spartan Hoplite: 16/4
Legionary Cohort: 9/4
Praetorian Cohort: 12/4
We notice that the Spartans even outclass post-Marian Roman units. Awesome! Use this to your advantage! Flanking Spartans will rout enemy units quickly.
Now of course a disclaimer: this will not revolutionize Greek warfare. Of course, your main instrument will be the solid phalanx battle line. But now behind this battle line keep some hoplite units in non-phalanx mode ready to either flank the enemy with the sword or protect the own flanks, then switching to phalanx mode. It does not turn your world by 180° but it adds an offensive element. And this is what I want to express.
Another disclaimer: you could say "at the time I can build armored Hoplites in good numbers, I have already won". Well, you donīt need good numbers. Your main battle line can very well consist of "second rank" hoplites, as long as the few offensive units in the back are good ones.
Now, whatīs your opinion?