Pikemen and Pike Militia in SS?

**Antiochos VII Sidetes** · March 12, 2008, 08:10 PM

I don't get it..Every time I try to use people with spearwall, their formation always breaks apart and devolves into a bunch of crappy unarmored guys with swords...and then they get chopped apart by not-crappy armored guys with swords. Is there any way to use them effectively, or am I just a noob and not getting something?

**The King Of Peasants** · March 12, 2008, 08:14 PM

Its definitely you as they are usually the best unit...

No I'm just kidding with you what it is is that they switch to secondary very early but in stainless steel they removed the secondary so they are much better.

**Antiochos VII Sidetes** · March 12, 2008, 08:20 PM

Oh, that's good. The only pike units i've used recently in SS are Burghers and pike militia, and truth be told, they got cut apart by archers..but that's good, I might actually find a use for them! I imagine they are good on bridges and such.

**Bacon!** · March 13, 2008, 02:37 AM

there weakness is archers so they are very vunerable to arrows but pikes are a great anti cavalry and weaker inf, ive got a game going as the HRE now and im using there burgher pikemen and i find that there very effective at holding choke points in citys/castles such as the gates and narrow streets

**Vulpex** · March 13, 2008, 08:41 AM

I find it fun to try to emulate a tercio and putting gunners in middle of pike square. I like pikes, good troops with advantages and disadvantages=fun unit.

**Lord_Calidor** · March 13, 2008, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Vulpex

I find it fun to try to emulate a tercio and putting gunners in middle of pike square. I like pikes, good troops with advantages and disadvantages=fun unit.

How is that working? Arqebus needs a direct line of fire...

**King Yngvar** · March 13, 2008, 04:51 PM

Put the muskets infront of the pikemen on such a thin line that the pikes actually go through the musket ranks.

**Vulpex** · March 13, 2008, 05:00 PM

I was bit unclear but norman here cleared it. You might make several pikeunits in line, and put thin line of gunners on front behind pikes.
The way i try to get working is even squares, also with muskets. Their frontage is narrow, but thats the way it was. Both on guard orders mostly. You lose then a lot, but both are late cheap troops. Some gunners serve as swordsmen in midst of pikes. Portugal is very good pike/shot country.

**Lord_Calidor** · March 13, 2008, 07:07 PM

But aren't arqbs only supposed to work when put in 3-or-more deep ranks, so to keep continuous fire? At least that was what I read in some guide on how to effectively use them... never reached late era gunpowder units in my campaigns, though, always some non-save game compatible patch or mod comes out, and disrupts the game...

**burninglegionx** · March 13, 2008, 07:58 PM

pikes are overpowered, period. (unless you're up against fullstack pavise x-bows)

**~~Echad~~** · March 13, 2008, 08:02 PM

Flank the pikemen and charge them in the flanks of backs. Pwned!

With their speed even the wealest infantry would be able to run over them!

**Vulpex** · March 13, 2008, 08:17 PM

To answer the first post more clearly. Deep ranks and guard order seems to hold the line here. Also, if they fight when formation is not set, they tend to get confused, so brace for it. Not that you need to worry about it so much in SS.

Edit: and dont let them be unarmoured