Pike and Shot

[Chimander]

I've been trying to recreate the pike and shot army in Medieval, without much success. The formations I've tried use half pike (aventuros) and half musketeers, with a few light cav and swordsmen thrown in.

Positioning the pike in the center and the muskets to the flanks was the historical formation, I believe. I've tried something like this:
M = musketeers, P = Pikemen, LC = Light Cav, S = Swordsmen, G = General

M-M-P-P-P-P-M-M
-MP--P-SS-P--PM
LC------G

This creates a somewhat strong center, with muskets that can flank and get enfilade by firing down the line. Unfortunately, this tends to get the muskets flanked hard by enemy cav.

I can't simply deploy more pike out to the side, since that would weaken the center line far too much, and also prevent the muskets from shooting if the pikes must engage. Setting up on hills so that the muskets are behind the pikes and can still fire depends too much on terrain, and the enemy may not approach anyways. Positioning the muskets in front of the pike lets them get off at most 2 volleys before the enemy engages, and after that, they're useless, as they can't fire through the line.

Anyone have a pike and shot formation that works?

[crunchyfrog]

It doesn't really always works, but i tried it with some success...

initial setup.
M = Musketeers, S = spearmen, P = Pikes, C = cavalry, I = Infantry, G = general.
MMMMMM
SPPPPPPPPS
C I G I C

Now when the they charge you move your musketeers behind the pikes, while you do this send you spearman and cavalry to engage the enemy cavalry on the flanks. when doing this split up your musketeers and hurry them to your flanks and get a good as possible angle, 45-90 degrees on the enemys infantry lines side and start firing off. Send in your infantry and general on your weaks spots while sending your remaining cavalry and spearmen to hit the infantry line in the arse.

[Gorrrrrn]

some historical information here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_and_shot

proportion of musket vs pike changed dramatically during the 17th century. started mainly pike, ended mainly musket. also you had introduction of flintlock musket and the bayonet.

so any use of SS units would be for 16th and early 17th century.

battalions were approx 700 strong each, 6 deep, covering a front of approx 200 meters with pike in the centre and muskets on the flanks. Cavalry covered the flanks of the infantry in the centre. Artillery was deployed out front or between the battalions of the first rank. dragoons were the ultimate flank guards. Usually you'd have 2 or 3 ranks of infantry battalions en echelon, with the ones behind covering the gaps of the ones in front.

so you'll need to intersperse your pikes and muskets (chequerboard stylee) with only 20 units to play with and put cavalry on both wings.

[crum2345]

Hey man what I do with norway with earlier units like swordstaff militia is let the lines with mine infantry and the enemies merge then I try to deal with the calvery, if you cant it most likely wont work. If you can keep the calvry at bay and route it you can then bring out your gunpowder lads and hit the flanks and pretty much have the win.

[Iscariott]

I usually place my muskets 2 deep just barely in front of the actual pike soldiers. Lets them get off another volley at point blank range sometimes as the enemies get caught up on pikes. You can often get them to keep firing if you re-order them to do so, and the pikes are holding well.


It's really no where near as effective as using archers behind the pikewall completely safe.