Selecuian Phalanxes Unable to Function

[Aonghus G. Friedhold]

Whenever I play a battle, I try to form my phalanxes into a line to skewer the enemy, but instead, they run towards eachother and clump together, running the whole time, so by the time the enemy gets there, the whole groupis exhausted and every attack hits their flank. Why does this happen?

[Watchman]

Because that formation recuires some fairly careful managing lest the engine muck something up ? Not too unrealistic actually, those things were as cumbersome and sensitive as nitroglycerine.

[Aonghus G. Friedhold]

Because that formation recuires some fairly careful managing lest the engine muck something up ? Not too unrealistic actually, those things were as cumbersome and sensitive as nitroglycerine.

Thanks. And you're right. Managing phalanxes was probably living hell. Keeping them in formation, making sure they're in the right place... Much easier when two hoplite units are facing each other; then they just rammed into each other, pushing and stabbing, until one side had more dead leaders than the other and left. Really not the most strategic battles.

[spartan117]

Whenever I play a battle, I try to form my phalanxes into a line to skewer the enemy, but instead, they run towards eachother and clump together, running the whole time, so by the time the enemy gets there, the whole groupis exhausted and every attack hits their flank. Why does this happen?

I am pretty sure this is a pathfinding issue.:hmmm: This does not happen only to phalanx. I have seen that occur with multiple units, none of which carry long spears or have the phalanx attribute thing.

It is just worse with phalanx units because when unorganized they can take massive casualties and it takes longer to get into a proper formation. I have set a phalanx unit seen it ten minutes later unable to get into formation I had originally set it to. They were bunched up with spears extended in awkward places.

However with some micromanaging and experience these issues do not become too much of a problem. Although it is somewhat realistic, I still believe this is pathfinding issue because this occurs with many units.

[Peccavi]

Best strategy i do is line them up prior to the attack, phalanxes aren't really offensive units they're more defensive sit there and wait units. Moving them forward is the biggest pain so only do so when you really need to, otherwise just have your auxilaries wreck havoc whilst your cavalry run em off

[Kundich]

Try hitting the 'D' key during deployment. Usually that keeps the unit in formation. I've never had a problem with a phalanx as a result.


Thanks,
ADM

[LordSmoothIX]

Try hitting the 'D' key during deployment. Usually that keeps the unit in formation. I've never had a problem with a phalanx as a result.


Thanks,
ADM

What does the D key do?

[Pompus]

Whenever I play a battle, I try to form my phalanxes into a line to skewer the enemy, but instead, they run towards eachother and clump together, running the whole time, so by the time the enemy gets there, the whole groupis exhausted and every attack hits their flank. Why does this happen?

while you make them change position to turn to the enemy, do you tell them to go out of phalanx? cause that makes them a bit more agile and once theyve turende you just need to click on the phalanx button again... well thats what I do and it works.

[Irishmafia2020]

D' Key? I've never heard of that...

[Ludens]

It activates and deactivates guard mode. Units in guard mode will maintain position (unless ordered to move) and won't pursue retreating enemies. Guard mode is on by default for phalanx units (that is: units with the R:TW phalanx ability, but not ordinary hoplites).

Guard mode makes the formation more cohesive. Unfortunatly, this does result in a certain rigidity; they unit will refuse point blank to change facing even when attacked from the rear. Individual soldiers will turn round, but only after they have been stabbed in the back once or twice . Guard mode is supposed to improve defence and decreases attack values but, presumably due to the fact that the soldiers won't change facing immediatly, I find they perform worce in combat. It may be useful for pinning enemies or receiving charges though.

Occasionaly, units in guard mode will change facing in the middle of combat for no discernable reason. This results in them exposing their rear to the unit they previously engaged. I have no idea what causes it, but because of it I rarely use guard mode nowadays.

[Korlon]

I used guard mode in pretty much every battle. They do perform worse, that's true, but that's only at the beginning and it's pretty minimal. Guard mode causes a unit to lose much less stamina than normal. It's quite usual to see a unit on guard mode fight against another unit, both starting with fresh stamina, and seeing the one on guard mode with still fresh stamina or warmed up while the one without with exhausted already.

Guard mode's fairly useful for missile units as well as it causes them not to move if the target is out of range.

I've never seen my units on guard mode every turn about face. I generally set all my units in the middle of my formation on guard mode. They take much less casualties due to the stamina differences that will quickly appear after a few minutes of fighting.

[Ludens]

Interesting. Perhaps I should try it again.

[Kundich]

I have an awkward looking formation sometimes when a guard-mode unit decides to protect its formation integrity and winds up perpendicular to the attacking enemy. Nonetheless, my units perform so much better in this way, receiving a charge, pinning an enemy, and allowing my cavalry to work to the flanks and rear.


Thanks,
ADM