Spears

**Zearth** · May 11, 2008, 11:29 PM

The hell's wrong with these pike/halberd/long spear wielders?
The spearwall formation is worthless. Everytime and enemy charges or initiates battle, they break off after awhile.
Im always forced used to use the guard mode formation, which the front row proceeds to make a 45degrees angle of their spears followed by the second row, pointing their spears straight.
Are they supposed to be like this?Its frustrating.

**Theseus1234** · May 12, 2008, 12:43 AM

the pikes are good against cavalry...ONLY cavalry
infantry will just fly through the points like water through a sieve

halberds are good for holding spots against both cavalry and infantry, and are also good for charges

guard mode should usually be used, since more of the pikes/halberds are showing to the enemy

also, make sure that they are stationary before taking a charge. The brace thing is super annoying, but it pays off

**Zearth** · May 12, 2008, 12:46 AM

So no more elite troop holders like those effective phalanx troops from RTW?
Good gawd and I was hoping they'd have a phalanx formation :\

**Theseus1234** · May 12, 2008, 12:49 AM

nope, the best troops holders are usually good quality spearmen or some good medium infantry like armored sergeants or DFKs

**Zearth** · May 12, 2008, 01:01 AM

So its better to switch i guess.Dang it.

**Navajo Joe** · May 12, 2008, 07:37 AM

And make sure you have some missile units behind the spearmen to pelt them with missiles whilst they are being held. I found by placing a unit or two of spearmen in the castle entrance, will hold them for a long time and on a battlefield a unit of spearmen on the end at right angles to deter a flank attack.

**doorknobdeity** · May 17, 2008, 02:44 AM

A couple of very important tidbits:

Guard mode should probably be used only when actually receiving a charge. I can't speak on the specifics, but pikes seem to do a bit better that way.

More importantly, if your pikes start to take out their swords, toggle spearwall off and on, really quickly. If they're still sort of in formation, they'll whip the pikes back out.

**Bolshevik** · June 01, 2008, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by doorknobdeity

A couple of very important tidbits:

Guard mode should probably be used only when actually receiving a charge. I can't speak on the specifics, but pikes seem to do a bit better that way.

More importantly, if your pikes start to take out their swords, toggle spearwall off and on, really quickly. If they're still sort of in formation, they'll whip the pikes back out.

Guard mode also takes care of your units not pursuing routing enemies, doesn't it?

**Harry Lime** · June 02, 2008, 03:39 PM

Moved to Strategies and Battle Planning

**dr_guerra** · June 03, 2008, 09:17 AM

Spears and pikemen should ALWAYS be used in guard mode, and should be standing still and bracing when receiving a charge.

Even if spearwall formation is on, you must use Guard mode and point them in the right direction.

Guard mode your units will not chase routing units, which can be helpful.

**Old Geezer** · May 20, 2008, 01:53 PM

Pikemen can be made very effective (as they are in mods like LTC and SS) by removing their secondary weapon so that they will keep on poking with their pikes. You can mod the descr_unit file to accomplish this for each unit you wish to "fix". Doing so really makes playing as the Scots a different game.

**dr_guerra** · May 24, 2008, 01:07 PM

I like to have a thin layer of pikes right behind my infantry. All I need is 2 rows of pikes, if there is a cavalry charge, I quickly retreat my infantry behind the pikes, and the horsemen get massacred.

Pikes are also INSANELY useful in guarding the gate, just make sure to back them up with real infantry on the flank, and always leave them on guard mode.

Swiss pikemen are a knight's worst enemy. Just hold a gate in a siege and pour horrible horrible burning oil on your enemies. (Kingdoms I think? I play retrofit mod)

**Viking Prince** · June 06, 2008, 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by dr_guerra

I like to have a thin layer of pikes right behind my infantry. All I need is 2 rows of pikes, if there is a cavalry charge, I quickly retreat my infantry behind the pikes, and the horsemen get massacred.

Maybe a bit off topic -- Just a newbie question: How do you control the formation to get a "thin layer" or "2 rows"?

**Theseus1234** · June 06, 2008, 09:43 AM

when you are selecting the unit, right click and hold and drag the mouse until you have the width and the direction set and then release

**Viking Prince** · June 16, 2008, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by theseus1234

when you are selecting the unit, right click and hold and drag the mouse until you have the width and the direction set and then release

Thanks. That i what I am doing, but I guess practice will make perfection. I seem to have problems on castle walls and by the gate. Good to know my Shogun commands have not changed.

**Theseus1234** · June 16, 2008, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Viking Prince

Thanks. That i what I am doing, but I guess practice will make perfection. I seem to have problems on castle walls and by the gate. Good to know my Shogun commands have not changed.

the placement inside of a castle or town...anything with buildings is completely

ed up, just so you know

buildings seem to have an enormous footprint