How can you handle Pikemen for defense?

[evolvedbullet1]

Sorry if it sounds dumb but I need an answer. When I put them at the gates of a settlement, they stop making their spear wall once a horse runs into it. I killed one horse but ten thousand horses came right behind it lol. Is it a glitch in the game or should I just keep my pikemen on defensive without the order to attack the enemies flooding in?

[Dick]

Try putting the pikemen on guard mode. Also make sure the pikemen are covering the whole breadth of the gate in order to ensure the horse's aren't getting in behind and 'flanking' the pikemen. Thirdly, have the pikemen lined as deep as possible, at the bare minimum three men deep, 5 or 6 if you can do it.

[Empress Meg]

The unit that stands right infront of the gate, pikemen or no, is going to get hit hard. Your best best, in addition to the above advice is to have another unit of pike/spearmen behind it. I like to also have units at either side of the gate at an angle to stop the first unit (facing outward from the gate) from being flanked.

Devoirs The Empress

[Roshak]

King Richard said it well enough.

Remember to take them OFF Gaurd-mode so they fight more effectively in melee.

[Poradain]

Can also try the ideas mentioned in this thread of mixing halberd units with the pikes to kill them off faster.

[Player44]

Your not supposed to make pikemen attack, your supposed to let them attack you, if that was your question. Keep them in guard mode and spearwall.

[Sher Khan]

Your pikemen aren't meant to engage one one one with anything but peasants. The best case scenario would be to have your pikes keep the enemy at bay from a great distance with their pikes, and reduce melee contact as much as possible.

Sometimes, however, units can slip in between the long pikes (swordsmen especially). This is where halberds, spears, or perhaps other swordsmen come in. Line them up between the pikemen and the end of their pikes and hold off any stragglers that make it through your pike wall.


I personally keep musketeers in this spot, with a line of swordsmen right behind. This way, they can be protected for a good while before having to fall back.


But if you want pikes to attack, I suggest doing so only against cavalry forces. Wait for the charge to collide against your pike wall and stall. Then, when their momentum is gone, select your pike unit and SINGLE-CLICK the enemy cavalry. They will literally pick up their spears and march with it pointed outwards, practically mowing down the enemy cavalry.