Strategy Help

[Irishfarmer]

I have always played with the Romans mainly because I have never been able to fight well with a phalanx. Can anyone give me a hint as to how to play with a phalanx. I would like to play with Macadonia however they are primarily Pikemen and the like. Please help.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

Are we talking about Multiplayer? If so, upgrade your pikemen, and support them well with other units. That's general advice (for a general question).

Is there a particular faction you're having trouble fighting against? If you provide me with a replay, I can look at how you play.

[Irishfarmer]

No, not particular faction trouble. I just want to start a campaign with Macedonia but I really don't know know how to operate with a phalanx. I have tried before and I got slaughtered. I don't operated well with a Phalanx. That is what I need help with. Not multiplayer either just regular campaign.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

Perhaps be a little more specific - how are you getting slaughtered? What kind of army are you facing? And what kind of army are you fielding? Be specific (i.e 6 Phalanx Pikemen, 2 Macedonian Cavalry, etc).

I can help you with battlefield tactics, but not campaigning.

[Irishfarmer]

Right now I have no armies. However, I am debating on taking on a Pike/Phalanx heavy army. I just don't know what is the best way to use them. I think the only time I used them was against the Greeks and it didn't go well. I had them outnumbered and they still had me running for the hills. That is why I am saying I am sure that I just don't know how to wield a phalax heavy army.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

Do you have version Rome: Total War (version 1.5)?

If so, maybe you can setup a Custom Battle against the AI, and send me the replay. I want to see how you operate. Message me with your e-mail if you wish to do this.

[Irishfarmer]

I really think that you are looking way to deep into my request. I really appreciate you effort I just want some basic tactics. When I used the Romans I have a tendency to go blitzkrieg on people and just take them out. You really can't melay with pikemen. You havce to stay together. I realize that. I am just wanting some basic strategy.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

I really think that you are looking way to deep into my request.

In that case, my first reply already had very basic strategy.

Also:
- Keep your phalanx together
- protect your phalanx with cavalry
- protect your phalanx/cavalry with light infantry

[movemove]

hi there, I have played the seleucids a lot in campagin and since the two nations have basically the same tech tree in terms of infantry, I think I can help.
here are general tips
-is you are going to go offensive, which pretty much always, turn off guard mode, especially if you are going to meatgrinder or/and flank with your phalanx (provided your line is longer then the enemies or you have reserves ready)
-when fa ing larger armies KEEP YOUR PHALANX TOGETHER. this might be a bit hard with the rtw engine, but having your phalanxes fight as a choherient group has its benefits.
-unless circumstances decide otherwise (eg, in city or you have more phalanxes then you need) then strech out yourphlanxes at least 5 or 6 rows for pikemen, this is so you always have the maximum pike frontage and noone is standing back with their pike up and not doing anything.
-when moving phalanxes, try not to move through obstacled terrain or make sharp turns. doing so will cause your phalanx to make all kinds of funny and stupid farmations.
-GUARD YOUR FLANKS WELL. this involves keep light and/or more mobile forces as well as capable cavalry on the flanks, and keeping them there to drive off flankers until the enemies flanking threat is neutralised.
-When engaging a superior phalanx head-on, always have an alternate strategy. This involves flankings with spare phalanxes, infantry or cavalry or possibly rnning missle troops around and shooting the enemy in the back.

this is all I can think of for now, in summary,
-protect fdlanks
-keep in formations
-stay vigilantand remember that your phlanxes, while able to kill, are better described as anvils, holding the enemy in place while you hammer (cavalry or other flanking force) hammers into the back of the enemy.
ders all.

[Irishfarmer]

hi there, I have played the seleucids a lot in campagin and since the two nations have basically the same tech tree in terms of infantry, I think I can help.
here are general tips
-is you are going to go offensive, which pretty much always, turn off guard mode, especially if you are going to meatgrinder or/and flank with your phalanx (provided your line is longer then the enemies or you have reserves ready)
-when fa ing larger armies KEEP YOUR PHALANX TOGETHER. this might be a bit hard with the rtw engine, but having your phalanxes fight as a choherient group has its benefits.
-unless circumstances decide otherwise (eg, in city or you have more phalanxes then you need) then strech out yourphlanxes at least 5 or 6 rows for pikemen, this is so you always have the maximum pike frontage and noone is standing back with their pike up and not doing anything.
-when moving phalanxes, try not to move through obstacled terrain or make sharp turns. doing so will cause your phalanx to make all kinds of funny and stupid farmations.
-GUARD YOUR FLANKS WELL. this involves keep light and/or more mobile forces as well as capable cavalry on the flanks, and keeping them there to drive off flankers until the enemies flanking threat is neutralised.
-When engaging a superior phalanx head-on, always have an alternate strategy. This involves flankings with spare phalanxes, infantry or cavalry or possibly rnning missle troops around and shooting the enemy in the back.

this is all I can think of for now, in summary,
-protect fdlanks
-keep in formations
-stay vigilantand remember that your phlanxes, while able to kill, are better described as anvils, holding the enemy in place while you hammer (cavalry or other flanking force) hammers into the back of the enemy.
ders all.

Thank You. That was exactly what I was after.

[movemove]

glad to help

[Vault Dweller]

I'm no phalanx "master" myself, but in general:
-Have no gaps. Before the battle starts, line up the phalanxes so the units are all touching.
-Protect the flanks of you phalanx line with mercenaries like Barbarian Marcs, Thracians, and Merc Peltasts/illyrians.
-Fight defensively. Try to be attacked, because then the enamy have to come to you and run into your wall of pikes.

[Domitius]

My favourite faction is Macedon so I think that I can help.
1) Fight defensive, but offensive as well. You can do this by laying siege on enemy cities or just entering their territory to force them to attack you. Phalanxes is superior to defend with, just let them come to you.
2) When defending a city, put the phalanxes to block the streets. Don't use them on walls, etc. To put them into the streets, simply drag them.
3) When fighting with phalanxes it's important to have a long battle line (as movemove said above). The phalanxes aren't that vurnable to infantry or cavarly attacks (unless they meet caterphracts, which can easily break thin leads).
4) As said above it's important to support the phalanxes, but I have a different reason. It's easy to protect the flanks with phalanxes, just adjust the angle of the phlanxes so that they protect the others.
I use the following tactics:

P P P P P = Phalanxes
P A A P A = Archers
G G = General
C C C C C = Cavalry

The amount of each troop can be adjusted, this is just an example. But I hope you get the point with helping the flanks with your own phalanxes. They can be set like this -> __________
/
Or just put in the normal way. However I think you should use your cavalry to attack their missile troops. Phalanxes should be moved as little as possible during a battle according to me.
5) On the campaign map you should focus on getting whole Greece. Greek phalanxes are good, but if you fight them, just lock them up and attack from behind with your cavalry. The romans are even more simple, let the hastati come to you and wear themselves out against yor battle line. Again it's important to use cavalry. When all of Greece is under your control I would attack the Romans or whole Thrace. Asia minor is aslo an easy target.

Hope this can help.

[Irishfarmer]

My favourite faction is Macedon so I think that I can help.
1) Fight defensive, but offensive as well. You can do this by laying siege on enemy cities or just entering their territory to force them to attack you. Phalanxes is superior to defend with, just let them come to you.
2) When defending a city, put the phalanxes to block the streets. Don't use them on walls, etc. To put them into the streets, simply drag them.
3) When fighting with phalanxes it's important to have a long battle line (as movemove said above). The phalanxes aren't that vurnable to infantry or cavarly attacks (unless they meet caterphracts, which can easily break thin leads).
4) As said above it's important to support the phalanxes, but I have a different reason. It's easy to protect the flanks with phalanxes, just adjust the angle of the phlanxes so that they protect the others.
I use the following tactics:

P P P P P = Phalanxes
P A A P A = Archers
G G = General
C C C C C = Cavalry

The amount of each troop can be adjusted, this is just an example. But I hope you get the point with helping the flanks with your own phalanxes. They can be set like this -> __________
/
Or just put in the normal way. However I think you should use your cavalry to attack their missile troops. Phalanxes should be moved as little as possible during a battle according to me.
5) On the campaign map you should focus on getting whole Greece. Greek phalanxes are good, but if you fight them, just lock them up and attack from behind with your cavalry. The romans are even more simple, let the hastati come to you and wear themselves out against yor battle line. Again it's important to use cavalry. When all of Greece is under your control I would attack the Romans or whole Thrace. Asia minor is aslo an easy target.

Hope this can help.

You post was very helpful however what does this mean? -> ____________
/

[Ephialtes The Dog]

Check this link it has in my opinion on of the best formations in the game.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=109188

[Domitius]

Sorry for double posting but the tactic part got messed up. I can't get it to work but i can describe it instead.
I use a sing line with phalanxes, the ones on the corners are bent in a 45 degrees angle. I place the archers inside the bowl (cause it looks like a bowl really, or a stratched C with the archers in the middle and cavalry behind). Anyway I hope you get it.

[allypup]

Keep your phalanx in good order. Until the enemy center breaks keep phalanx units in guard mode, so they do not start chasing routing units and disrupt YOUR line.

When attacking an enemy line group your phalanx units and order them to advance by r click on an open space behind the enemy center, this way they maintain formation. If you instead select your phalanx group and select click on the unit in the enemy center, all the units will converge on the center opening gaps. Or if you select individual phalanx units and select individual targets you can again get gaps. The integrity of the phalanx is most important.

Protect your flanks. An outflanked phalanx is a phalanx in great danger.

Do some custom battles to get the hang of manuvering phalanxes. The goal is not to win a battle but manuver your army. Try various sizes and composition of enemy armies. You will have different challanges facing an army of warbands then when you face a roman army and different again when you face a phalanx army.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

If you really want help, I could show you online. I'm a hardcore Macedon player who has logged in over 500 battles online (as Macedon).

Getting instructions from a forum isn't as effective as seeing someone in action. That's my outlook on the matter.

[Selifator]

Getting my ass kicked in the tournaments didn't teach me much (other than my place in life, boohoo....:hmmm: )

[Prince_of_Macedon]

Getting my ass kicked in the tournaments didn't teach me much (other than my place in life, boohoo....:hmmm: )

Not true!

You learned a few things I'm sure:
1) you know how battles differ between Campaign and Multiplayer
2) you learned that there are friendly people here who enjoy the game as much as you
3) you've gained tremendous experience wielding Scythia
4) you also learned to appreciate all aspects of Rome: Total War (Campaign and Multiplayer)

Those are just a few general things.