Is it me or does it seem people are abandoning the phalanx for auxilary type troops? The phalanx can be used in other ways than just the old hammer and anvil. Draw a reserve phalanx to smash the enemy center or reinforce the rear flanks with phalangites. Historicaly the true power of the Macedonian phalanx was it's deep ranks wich applied heavy preasure to the battle line. It all starts with the accedental discovery of the Theban phalanx at the battle of Delium. The classic hoplite phalanx was always 8 shields deep. But with the Boetian right pressed against a stream, it was forced into deployment of 16 sheilds deep. Needless to say, these deep ranks crushed the Athenian left. That was how the Theban phalanx came to be and would later crush Spartan Hegemony after the Pelopennesian War. Lead by Epaminondas. The trick was to apply as much presure to the enemy center by forming deeper ranks than the enemy. The enemy line maybe a bit broader and could start to wheel around your flanks. But this will do no good once the center is decimated and the men on the flanks isolated. Not to mention your cavalry and light infantry can counter that flanking maneuver if held in reserve instead of wheeling like the "hammer". The Macedonian phalanx was revised version of the Theban phalanx created by Phillip II. Phillip was a hostage in Thebes during the freedom fight of Epaminondas and his happy little romp through Greece. Of course, the major differences were the pikes, even deeper ranks,(32 sheilds deep), professional troops who did nothing but train and fight, and of course a versitile auxilary force of heavy and light cavalry/infantry. But the phalanx was always sent first. Alexander even had a reserve phalanx at Gaugamela. If you notice, the new phalanx formations in the current version of XGM has the guard mode of the phalanx turned off... finally. This should suggest using your pikemen as your main attack.
To make things short and to put an end to my rambling, find some good indepth material on ancient Greek battle tactics and experiment with them. The same rules pretty much apply in RTW. Just takes a little practice and experimenting.
But I will say CA did a very piss poor job representing the phalanx. Especially went ordered to charge. I can't imagine the Macedonians waltzing up to the enemy, comming to a complete stop, half ass thrusting their pikes, and then for some reason turn the opposite direction in the middle of the fight.
ok I'm done.
macedonia
. the phalanx is so weak. they are nothing but defense units. i cant use pincers on them or anything anymore. not to mention that they sometimes lose out to cavalry in a frontal assault. the cavalry charge goes trhough my pikes and then when the pikes arent in use they beat my phalanx in hand to hand fighting. the thessalians are the only good units i can find but theyre nothing but skirmishers glorified not the heavy cavalry i need.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by dirty_M
). We should not forget, that the key in phalanx warfare was to keep the discipline and formation. Once the formation is broken, often massacre would begin. Or, would it be easy to pick up pikes and reform the phalanx with enemy breathing into your face? 
