Some questions about special abilities?

[henyo10]

What are the advantages of
1.) schilthrons formation
2.) wedge formation
3.) fire arrows
4.) barrage
5.) shooting circles
6.) shield wall
7.) spear wall
8.) flaming shots
9.) exploding shots
10.) rotting cow
11.) guard mode

Basically I want to know the advantages and disadvantages of all the skills since the tutorial does not explain it very well

Btw is there such an ability as grape shot in SS?

[caralampio]

1.- Schiltrom- the guys point their spears in all directions 360°. This is a defensive mode against cavalry. Not only does it leave no exposed flanks but it seems to increase defense. I learned the hard way... charging against a schiltrom is like charging against a porcupine. However I have only seen the AI use it, never have had the need myself.

2.- Wedge- Supposedly makes the cavalry charge penetrate the enemy line. In reality it makes the charge weaker.

3.- Fire arrows- Less accuracy, more morale effect.

4.- Barrage- I'm not sure don't remember what this one is.

5.- Shooting circles- makes the horsemen harder to hit but lessens their accuracy. Also they don't skirmish so well, easier to catch.

6.- Shield wall- increases defenses vs missiles.

7.- Spear wall- Makes a block of spears increases defense especially vs cavalry charges but the guys don't attack much once in melee.

8.- Flaming shots- Less accuracy, more effect if they hit and more morale effect. Less effect vs walls.

9.- Exploding shots- As above, and it looks cool!

10.- Rotting cow- Lowers morale, affects both sides so be careful not to throw it where you think your troops will be going. Ideally in the path of an enemy coming at you.

11.- Guard mode- More defense, less attack.

[moosey]

ok.
1} schiltron formation = youre spearmen will go into a circular formation so theres spears pointing out in all direction, therefore no back or side attack.

2} wedge = cavalry form a triangle meaning the charge will be much more likely to breakthrough enemy lines to attack the rear.

3} fire arrows = less accurate but when they hit, they hit harder and lower morale more

4} barrage = instead of firing one large volley, they fire a few missiles continuously. Morale falls a bit quicker

5} shooting circles = barrage for mounted archers.

6} sheild wall = much higher defence to head on attacks, weaker from side and back

7} spear wall = anything attacking you head on will get hurt badly (think pike infantry)

8} flaming shot = like flaming arrow except with artillery, same effects (never seen a wooden wall catch fire.

9} exploding shot = buy a mangonel and try it out, nothing quite like showering enemy soldiers with hot burning oil from the sky, quite inaccurate though.

10} rotting cow = with trebuchets, anyone around a rotting cow will get ill and not fight as well for some time

11} guard mode = will not chase retreating enemies, will simply hold its ground.

hope that helped bud. and no grapeshot really that i know of

[moosey]

wow, just beat me to it caralampio, lol

[TheLastPrivate]

fire arrow = slower rate of fire as well, I think.

[preachercheeze]

What are the advantages of
1.) schilthrons formation
2.) wedge formation
3.) fire arrows
4.) barrage
5.) shooting circles
6.) shield wall
7.) spear wall
8.) flaming shots
9.) exploding shots
10.) rotting cow
11.) guard mode

Basically I want to know the advantages and disadvantages of all the skills since the tutorial does not explain it very well

Btw is there such an ability as grape shot in SS?

1) no weak flank spot to charge into... great if you are going to loose anyways and want to fight till the last man...
2) raises chargebonus due to all power from the charge is against a single spot in the deefensive line...
3) lowers morale on the enemy and gives some cool effects of burning, agonizing men
4) don´t know what this one is
5) the missile cavalry will give a continous barrage of missiles that may not be as effective for killing but has a slight effect against morale...
6) ups defensive skill a notch... harder for enemies to break through
7) ups spear bonus... if charging against a spearwall with cav you are likely to go down like a bbq...
8) see flaming arrows, but multiply with 10
9) on impact the ball explode and kill more than a through and through would... unfortunatly very inaccurate so through and through is still more effective IMHO
10) Big morale drop... but when charging against a unit that has been "cowed" you will also get the morale drop... use in combo with flaming arrows is my tip...
11) unticked the unit will start to advance if in melee and give pursuite if the enemy breaks... ticked they will stay and hold the line

I don´t know if the grapeshot is in the SS... but I think it is... never seen it though

[preachercheeze]

LOL damn you are quick you guys....

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Henyo10...

I'll give these a shot...

!. schithron formation. - The porcupine. It's a circular def. formation with no flanks -"weak spots. Cavalry can't flank you. Superb for castle/city defense. place them at the gate/opening use three like the point on a pyramid but up side down this funnels the bad guys into a wall of spears and allows you the crush them with AP support guys and more spears. If you don't give support to the porcupine the enemy heavy cav will hack it to shreds.

The dream scenario for this....Your defending high ground. place a line of bout 5 porcupines. range in front. When the opp. charges, pull range back redirect fire wait til your porcupines are engulfed, run fanklers, seal sides and charge enemy's rear. Then have your units supporting the porcupines charge and seal the Emmey front. out come ...100% enemy destruction.. I usually mess the up with my timing and have to chase down routers.

2.Fire arrows - Massive morale buster. Does moe damage than regular arrows but hits less often combine with regular arrow and bolts to destroy secondary support unit not engaged in the main battle line. BEWARE: don't smoke your own guys or you'll route yourself..

3.Shield wall - condenses the formations, give +def value. Some Ap units have the ability. sadly i haven't had much opportunity to try this out..

4. Spear wall/pikes/phalanx - basically a deadly wall of spears. If you expose it's flanks and don't support it. It will disintegrate and you'll get destroyed, owned, pawned, etc..

5. Guard mode - when used in defense allows for greater stamina. used alot in sieges. If you order a unit in this formation to attack it will respond lethargically. I usually use it when sieging {offense} park some spears in guard mode in the wall/gate breach and watch them chew thru the assaulting defenders.. works defensively just as well.

[gta_140]

If I have a front line to maintain, I put spearmen in schilthron formation on the flanks. AI calvary loves to try to flank these spots and gets eaten up by the spearmen.