effective use of Falxmen

**Fredericus Iulius** · February 13, 2009, 02:58 AM

I am playing a Thracian campaign on H/H level. I cannot figure out how to use Falxmen effectively. They allways die like flies. Therefore I started to use them after the battle has allready started to flank enemy forces. Used like that they do their job all right, but:

they are very slow
they still have lots of casualties
the spear warbands, who are supposed to do the dirty job of pinning the opponent face to face, have much less casualties and cost much less.

Am I doing something wrong?

**Dog Fart** · February 13, 2009, 03:15 AM

I think you have the right idea. Using them for flanking maneuvers does make them more effective. Though I think their high casualties are due to their lack of armour and combat stats. They have a powerful charge.... but thats it. Try using some cavalry with their attack. Punch a hole in the enemy line with your cavalry, then pull out and fill the void with your falxmen. But make sure they are shadowed by your cavalry for support. Repeat this process and you'll inflict more casualties than you gain.

**Lurker** · February 13, 2009, 05:26 AM

Also, have some Thracian Peltasts in the army as well. Peltasts always help when using Falxmen.

**Stilgar CG** · February 13, 2009, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by Fredericus Iulius

... Therefore I started to use them after the battle has allready started to flank enemy forces. ... Am I doing something wrong?

No, I think you got it right, Fredericus Iulius. However, they become more effective and more useful as soon as they got a weapon upgrade and a chevron or two. So, I rarely use them in first 5-10 turns, but as soon as I get some cash and have a settlement that gives units some experience and upgrade, I train a couple of falxmen units. Finally, I keep them in reserve quite a while ofter beginning of the battle; I manoeuvre them on flanks to move them behind the enemy lines, choosing the spot where they could be of use, and finally charge a depleted enemy unit in attempt to route them quick. ... and so on.

**Fredericus Iulius** · February 13, 2009, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by Magister Equitum

No, I think you got it right, Fredericus Iulius. However, they become more effective and more useful as soon as they got a weapon upgrade and a chevron or two. So, I rarely use them in first 5-10 turns, but as soon as I get some cash and have a settlement that gives units some experience and upgrade, I train a couple of falxmen units. Finally, I keep them in reserve quite a while ofter beginning of the battle; I manoeuvre them on flanks to move them behind the enemy lines, choosing the spot where they could be of use, and finally charge a depleted enemy unit in attempt to route them quick. ... and so on.

I see. Thank you for the information. I'll try to use them the same way you do and see if they are worth their money like that.

**Arlin** · February 13, 2009, 09:06 AM

Aren't they also "effective against armor"? So shouldn't they be used to butcher hoplites and other heavy infantry?

**Barend** · February 17, 2009, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by Arlin

Aren't they also "effective against armor"? So shouldn't they be used to butcher hoplites and other heavy infantry?

Yes they are, very...
They do quote a lot of damage against hoplites, thorakitai and hypaspists :S
And that for barbarians

**Hurlbut** · February 17, 2009, 12:55 PM

No wonder the Romans attempted to wipe out Dacia. I seem to recall that from Terry's Barbarians

**Barend** · February 17, 2009, 01:50 PM

The Romans had to adapt their armor because the Dacians and their falxes cut right through it. IIRC they added extra bands of metal on the helmets.
How's that for "effective against armor" ?

**Scutarii** · February 17, 2009, 08:29 PM

The good thing about falxes is they're cost-effective, easily retrainable (2nd level) and, tying into the cost-effectiveness, are very good on some of the more expensive units, like hoplites/phalangites not from the front/legionairres.

**Fredericus Iulius** · March 02, 2009, 05:36 AM

The good thing about falxes is they're cost-effective, easily retrainable (2nd level) and, tying into the cost-effectiveness, are very good on some of the more expensive units, like hoplites/phalangites not from the front/legionairres.

I changed my mind a bit about them. What you write is right. I still try to keep them away from ranged weapons attacks and wait till the battle has started, but then they are very effective against armoured units. They are fun to use.

**Anakarsis** · March 12, 2009, 05:29 PM

They are a perfect complement for phalanxes, their loose formation alows them to filter inside your more heavy units and add punch to a line, or cut througt the enemy ranks already in battle with more heavy units.

On the bad side, they are cannon fodder against any but the most basic cavalry unit. Foot missiles also performs well against them, but i often use them advancing behind a phalanx or similar and then charge over the skirmishers. They are relatively fast and has a very good punch.