Your Favorite Ability?
Note:This is a copy of an Original Made By the SonOfAlexander.
Sorry, SonofAlexander, but I thought it would be easier to put this as a poll in the Main Section.
(Note: I got this from http://rtw.heavengames.com/rtw/strat...ns/index.shtml
Unit Special Abilities
Unit special skills are very important due to the advantages they confer and they can tip the battle in your favour if used correctly. They are explained below.
Phalanx Formation
Can be used by most spearmen. The unit forms a wall of spears which is extremely strong from the front but weak from the flank or rears. When in use the unit cannot run, which makes charging impossible. The phalanx confers a bonus when fighting cavalry from the front, so don't charge it head on with cavalry, especially not with your general. Keep units out of phalanx when moving to the enemy for the extra speed and mobility, but always attack with it activated.
A unit in the phalanx fighting cavalry. A poor general is about to die.
Fire Missiles
Can be used by all foot archers. Missiles with fire are less accurate but lower enemy morale. Fire missiles also have a chance of igniting siege equipment. Definitely use fire against elephants, chariots and siege equipment, and if facing poor troops to lower their moral. Other than that, use normal missiles.
Rally Troops
Can only be used by your general and increases the chance of nearby units rallying, but it has a cool down period so don't use it too often. It also gives all nearby units a moral boost which is handy to use when you cannot afford your line to break. Another handy feature is that when the general uses this he stops for a moment to perform an animation which places him at the back of his bodyguards. This is useful because it means that when he attacks an unit he won't die on the initial impact of the charge. General units with another effect can't use the rally function because only one special ability is allowed. Use it when an important unit breaks for the extra chance of a rally or to increase the morale of a wavering line.
Warcry
I think this is the best unit ability in the game. Nearly all barbarian units can use it, and after it's used for about 10 seconds, the unit gains around +10 attack and a moral boost for 30 seconds after use (according to the forums). Definitely use this before attacking, and remember that it stacks with charge bonuses, field bonuses etc for massive combat advantages.
Warcry (Berserkers)
The berserker warcry deserves special mention, because as well as providing the benefits of a normal warcry it also puts them into rage mode, which can be seen by their unit banner turning red. This basically means they can't rout but will continuously attack the closest enemy unit that isn't routing. One tactic is to use the warcry from the start and let them wreak havoc and distract the enemy, but I prefer to manually move them to a target and then use it to ensure they hit the unit I want them too.
Testudo
Can be used by most post Marian Roman units. It makes the unit nearly invincible to missiles from all sides except for the rear, but it also tires them quickly. It also gives them a combat and movement penalty so don't attack with this formation. Only use it when either using the unit as a missile screen or against massively missile armies as otherwise they will tire too quickly and become easy combat targets. Also, the AI has a tendency to activate it when anything shoots at a unit with it, so it is possible to lure them into testudo, tire them and then charge and destroy the unit in one strike.
Kill Elephants
This ability can only be used by elephant units running amok and as the name suggests it kills the elephants. After a unit runs amok, don't kill the elephants right away. Instead, try to hold it off as long as possible, because when you use this effect the entire unit dies, even if at full strength. Sometimes, you even get lucky and have the elephants plough through the enemy. However, if they are going straight for your general, then it's probably better to kill them off.
An elephant unit running amok. I wouldn't kill off this one because there's no chance it will damage your forces, and it can then fight again.
Cantabrian Circle
This can only be used by mounted missile units. When they are ordered to attack a unit with missiles, the unit will run in a circle and one by one the separate soldiers will shoot missiles at the target unit until they either run out of missiles or flee from the advancing enemy. Definitely use this if the unit is under fire because it makes them a hard target, but otherwise don't use it as it tires the unit out.
Wedge
This ability can only be used by cavalry units which do not have any other ability. It puts the unit into a triangle formation which is meant to split the charged unit into two parts. I personally don't use this because even if the unit is split it now surrounds your cavalry which isn't good. I also find it hard to manoeuvre because of how the unit always stays in that formation even when turning. In short if you can find a way to use it efficiently then use it, but other than that don't waste time on it.
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Originally Posted by Seleucid king
