Need help figuring out how to fight with phalangites.

[htismaqe]

For some reason, I always end up fighting in mobs with swords and getting hosed. I can't keep them in formation.

I also don't know how to use formations other than using the right mouse button and dragging - for whatever reason, it doesn't allow me to determine facing, so I can lengthen my line (for example) because it will cause my men to be facing backwards.

[The Mad Monk]

There is a little button on the control panel on the lower right of the screen.

It should have 8 large buttons.

Press the lower left one entitled:"Formation" and your men will take a formation

OR

press F.

[htismaqe]

There is a little button on the control panel on the lower right of the screen.

It should have 8 large buttons.

Press the lower left one entitled:"Formation" and your men will take a formation

OR

press F.

Button is greyed out. Pressing 'F' does nothing.

[Scutarii]

You just need to keep a solid line with phalangites, keep the front facing the enemy. For me, just line them up in a solid line, and march (right click at destination will keep in formation) toward the enemy (if you want a frontal assault). One thing though: don't leave them unsupported, because they will die. Even from the front, Heavy Cavalry charging will break the formation and allow other infantry inside the phalanx to butcher your guys. Keep some friendly cavalry to trap the enemy Heavy cav or ward them away from the phalanx. With infantry, just keep them facing their adversaries and they won't break formation.

Keep in mind, XGM phalangites are weaker than vanilla phalangites (lower denisty, lower lethality), so use them solely as a pinning maneuveur. Just like in history, if you leave phalangites on their own, the phalanx will break and they'll be butchered. Good cavalry and flanking infantry are a must.

BTW, if you want the formations in game, just group a bunch of units first: that'll un-grey the formation button and allow you to choose one. I never use them though, prefer to manually set up a formation.

[htismaqe]

You just need to keep a solid line with phalangites, keep the front facing the enemy.

So keep them in the standard "square" formation? That pretty much means they can't match up 1-vs-1 with other infantry, because their standard formation is nearly as wide and they get surrounded.

[Stilgar CG]

See also this discussion, Htismaqe.

[htismaqe]

See also this discussion, Htismaqe.

Wow, that thread helps GREATLY. Thank you.

One question: Someone mentioned using the right mouse button to expand the formation - I do that and invariably, my men are FACING THE WRONG WAY. How do I change facing without altering the depth of the formation? Just march slightly in that direction?

[TM Is Back]

Wow, that thread helps GREATLY. Thank you.

One question: Someone mentioned using the right mouse button to expand the formation - I do that and invariably, my men are FACING THE WRONG WAY. How do I change facing without altering the depth of the formation? Just march slightly in that direction?

Make groups, then use right mouse click to change the formation position.

[TM Is Back]

Phalanx are best used as the anvil, to hold the enemy, and then you can smash them from the flanks and rear with cav and heavy inf.

[CaesarVincens]

The facing of a unit when you use the right mouse button depends on the direction you drag; drag one way or the other and they face in opposite directions.

[htismaqe]

Thanks guys.

[Quercia]

Surprisingly, I never had problems with Heavy Cavalry. Even General Bodyguard are no problem for my Phalangites (played as GCS). The horses would just get butchered when I put Phalanx on. Same for the infantry. They basically have no chance, except on flanks. That's pretty stupid because a few switch to swords, and when enough have switched, they all switch to swords

Nevertheless, never using these guys on offense. I've always had Phalanx on no matter what (I had the time, just speed x3 ). I'm not in favour of giving the Phalanx the order to attack either, because they'll just lower and straighten the spears constantly.

When using Phalanxes, always make sure not to move them when being charged - let the enemy charge you. When enemy touches your phalanx and when the unit is officially 'fighting', you can order them to attack. Usually they push through the unit.

This is also why I hate enemy peltasts - strong vs armour and the Phalanx is very close density. When I see Peltasts, I always chase them with Light Cavalry, or shoot them down myself.

I've heard that the phalanx is weaker in XGM than in other mods or vanilla. In my opinion, if done properly, they are very deadly. They just take a long time. Cities battles hugely favour phalanxes too - no way to flank in the streets I guess!

Once in a city battle, I used 2 regular Phalangites and they pretty much killed half the 1200 Thracians + 800 reinforcements sent to kill me. They did a good job fighting them off in the streets , but where eventually defeated after overwhelming numbers (lol, 120 Phalangites vs 600 remaining Thracians pushing against them). I won though nevertheless.

Also, a good thing to note is that enemy Cavalry severly push back Phalangites. When it gets crowded, like defending a bridge and a lot of enemies are coming your way, make sure to have enough space not to get swalled by the enemy. This happens and you'll lose because the spears get lowered and swords taken up - something you don't want. You want to be 3m safely behind your spears taking the least of casualties.

My 2 cents,
-Q

[TM Is Back]

Nevertheless, never using these guys on offense. I've always had Phalanx on no matter what (I had the time, just speed x3 ). I'm not in favour of giving the Phalanx the order to attack either, because they'll just lower and straighten the spears constantly.

That's why i play with battle time limit on, so i cannot just place my phalangites somewhere and press 3x and wait for victory.

[Quercia]

That's why i play with battle time limit on, so i cannot just place my phalangites somewhere and press 3x and wait for victory.

Yes but I didn't mean to just sit there. I'd approach them, but not charge. Usually if you are within range of their Peltasts, they tend to charge. I then make sure that the phalanx is standing still, holding spears down and in such a way that there are no gaps between units. This way, you're on a kind of offensive defense.

Cheers,
-Q

[aznflea]

thats what i did on vanilla lol.

the frustrating thing about phalanxes is that they keep switching to their swords when being pushed. it annoys me to hell. reforming tkes ages too

[Webba]

I said this in the other thread as well and it's a particularly useful thing to know. If your phalanx has switched to swords giving them the stop command will cause them to immediately switch back to spears and attack. It's very very effective and quick.