pike

[jetlee81]

is there a way to edit the pike so is use i's pike more. instead of pulling out their swords. in the battle_config.xml there is a line
<!-- phalanx configuration -->
<phalanx>
<intercept-range>15</intercept-range>
</phalanx>
dose this has anything thing to do with the distance to pull out the sword and engage.?
i been doing test on it but not too sure wat it dose.

[Caesar Clivus]

In SS, KK fixed pikes by removing their swords all together. They are forced to use their pikes. Makes pike units actually worth a damn.

[jetlee81]

well it can work this way but it will too powerful. all pik is like spartan in rome.
even if i make the attack as low as 4 the still hurt like hell

[bushido assistant]

try this on the formation line

set the shoulder to shoulder spacing at 0.8
set the rank spacing to 2.0

thats all.

you will be amazed at how much better they work especially in guard mode. the ranks are so spaced apart that the second rank is kept from being disrupted while the closer shoulder to shoulder spacing gives more men per distance of front by about 33%.

as a note to the rank spacing is that 2.0 is as far as it can be stretched because you still want the rearward ranks to overlap the front ranks.

this is an example of a modified pike unit.

type Swiss Pikemen
dictionary Swiss_Pikemen ; Swiss Pikemen
category infantry
class spearmen
voice_type Heavy
accent German
banner faction main_spear
banner holy crusade
soldier Swiss_Pikemen, 60, 0, 4
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, very_hardy, can_withdraw, pike
formation 0.8, 2, 2.4, 2.4, 4, square, phalanx
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 13, 6, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, piercing, spear, 25, 1
;stat_pri_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_pri_attr spear, long_pike, spear_bonus_12
stat_sec 10, 3, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, piercing, sword, 25, 1
;stat_sec_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 0, 8, 0, flesh
;stat_armour_ex 0, 0, 0, 0, 8, 0, 0, flesh
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 4
stat_ground 1, -2, 3, 4
stat_mental 11, impetuous, highly_trained
stat_charge_dist 40
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 1, 640, 185, 85, 200, 640, 4, 190
armour_ug_levels 0
armour_ug_models Swiss_Pikemen
ownership slave
;unit_info 13, 0, 8
recruit_priority_offset 0

[timsmurf]

I've found out that the most worthwhile use of pikemen are in the center of your formation. They tend to be very weak if not attacked in front. I always keep them supported by other units, ex spear militia or similar. In a defensive formation I would use equal numbers of pikemen and support.
In several tests it appears that the pikemen are best deployed in deep formations (10 men out of 150).

If you want to modify the pikemen to increase their effectiveness, you can add a 0.39 radius (after mass, no figure means it uses default)...

soldier Pike_Militia, 60, 0, 4, 0.39

-- This will make them able fight more tightly (which they will when when pushing forward).
... You may also change their in-unit spacing. I prefer 1m x 1.5m.

formation 1.0, 1.5, 1.5, 2.0, 10, square, phalanx

A last tip! Begin defensively (guard-mode), then when the enemy has ben "locked in place", you just release the pike-men (guard-mode off)... they can then take on many strong enemies (as long as your pikes are well supported).