Gaurd mode

[BiggBudd]

Should gaurd mode be used for roman infantry, have tryed without and found my center "bow'd" and adventuly gave to a barberian attack, however with gaurd on they held and eventuly beat off the pesky barbs. I always use gaurd if i intend to use another unit to flank attack, but 1v1 take it off.
Old threads always told to take off gaurd for best results, but i not so sure. Wot do u find works best? thx Biggbudd.

[Legionary_Pullo]

what i have noticed is that when u r being rushed by infantry guard mode is best to hold them off especially barbarians definitely not to hold off a phalanx.

and when attacking it should be turned off because u want to envelope an enemy by using your numbers while guard mode will have half your troops at the rear of the formation doing nothing.

it is good against cavalry.
it lets u hold the enemy and allows u to use your missile troops to full effect but if u r not careful then u r liable to get surronded and thats a nasty situation.

in short use it against sword troopers and not spearmen imagine defeating phalanx from the front.

it should also be used while defending walls because they hold their formation and not while attacking walls because then your infantry will stand its ground and not push at the enemy.

[Black Francis]

I meant to bring this up but forgot about it. Guard mode really makes a difference against those damn barbarians!

[Garnier]

Main thing is, a unit on guard mode gets fatigued VERY slowly, so your enemy will be exhausted while you are still fresh. Then you can hit them from behind with something, and charge from the front with your fresh troops when they turn around, and kill them. I also use it on my main battle line always, unless against macedon. Against macedon, I pull my hastati out quickly and use the hastati and triarii to flank and surround them. Then pour javelins into the crowds of royal pikemen, and do repeated cavalry charges.

[GaussSoldier]

I use the three line formation so I keep the Hastati on guard mode while the Triarii and Principes are not, allowing them to fill in gaps in the front line.

[Garnier]

I always flank with my triarii, or send them after cavalry units. The hastati also flank once their pila are thrown and they've tired out the enemies for a while.

[Legionary Titus Pullo]

thats exactly the way i do it too.

barbarians just cant compete with a well organised roman army.