Roman Battle Line

[BrianHolmes]

Hi

I was looking for Roman Battle Line tactics from others, couldn't find much other than some text suggesting you push up against the enemy and grind while other units trot around the back and hit him in the flanks and rear. Good advice, hammer and anvil.

This is my version of the hammer and anvil that's been quite effective for me. I normally get around 5% to 10% of the casualties of the AI in Grand Campaign (GC) using this approach.

Apologies for the inability to draw and hence using PowerPoint - as well as the colour scheme. I'm colourblind.

[magraev]

I like the principle - the same method Hannibal himself used (kinda).

I would find it hard to bring 8 velites in a full stack in the late game. If you come up against a quality stack, there simply isn't enough killing power in it (I think).

I would probably replace 4 of the velites with Hastati (to keep it historical, principes would be better). You could keep the same setup and place the hastati between the principes and the triarii.

[BrianHolmes]

Yeah, Magraev, this isn't much of a late game stack but the idea is to use some low-level, missile units to lure the enemy towards the centre of your formation. I've used it in variations, 4 missile units as you suggest, with Hastati instead of Principes, and even Rorarii instead of Triarii.

I've since used this as the Arverni, replacing Principes with Celtic Warriors (the sword dudes), slingers/Celtic Youths/whatever missile units, and Oathsworn instead of Triarii. One Arverni stack beat two Aedui stacks but admittedly their stacks consisted largely of the useless Levy Freemen and Celtic Skirmishers/Slingers with a gang of Light Horse. It's so satisfying to smash two enemy stacks.

[Alwyn]

Thank you, this tactic looks great, I found your descriptions and diagrams helpful (+rep). I notice that you used this approach with the Arverni. I wonder if I could use it for the Iceni, too - I'm playing my first ever campaign with Rome II and playing as the Iceni.

[BrianHolmes]

Thank you, this tactic looks great, I found your descriptions and diagrams helpful (+rep). I notice that you used this approach with the Arverni. I wonder if I could use it for the Iceni, too - I'm playing my first ever campaign with Rome II and playing as the Iceni.

Good question: I haven't tried the Iceni yet but I have fought against them. I hate their chariots (when I'm the enemy). They smash through my formations and scream off before I can pin them down for some slaughter. With chariots in addition to normal cavalry I reckon you could do some serious damage. Try hitting all his low level infantry with any chariot units you have and see if you can rout them. Perhaps hit them with chariots and immediately after an infantry unit of your own. That may make them rout quickly. Rout a few such units and perhaps you can turn his entire army then mow down the fleeing soldiers with your chariots and cavalry.

[Alwyn]

Thanks, your ideas for using chariots and cavalry sound both effective and authentic

[Loxod]

I think it's a great tactic against barbarians ! maybe vs parthia or another eastern faction it could be more hard