Which is better in your opinion?

**AchillesXX** · October 21, 2009, 08:27 PM

So, which unit do you prefer, Thorakiti or Greek Hoplites? Has anyone tried facing them off against eachother one on one? Personally, I think I prefer the Hoplites - and I have never played with BI so no sheild wall. Does that make a big difference? What are your opinions?

**Total Roach** · October 21, 2009, 09:45 PM

Well I would have to say you can't compare the 2 as they are different types of infantry, an experienced Greek Hoplite with upgrades is superior however in my opinion compared to a Thorakitai with exp and upgrades, if the Thorakitai had swords as a secondary weapon it could be a closer contest. I have smashed my Hoplites into many a Thorakitai and they win every time 1v1, great unit. As for shieldwall, I have only used it for defence although there was a thread somewhere in which someone was advocating using it for attack also, whoever it was said it was very effective, although I guess you lose the charge bonus. For defence it is certainly effective, I don't know if I could do without it, and it looks great too.

**Scutarii** · October 21, 2009, 10:49 PM

Shield wall makes hoplites ten times better, they absolutely destroy phalangites from the front(!), and does pretty well against all types of infantry.

Hoplites are more effective, imo, but don't undervalue the fact that the thoraks are twice as fast to recruit, and have javelins.

**Dog Fart** · October 21, 2009, 11:47 PM

I think thoraks do well when campaigning against the Romans. They often fair better than hoplites... if you're an alex player that is. But when I'm going east, I'll sooner recruit thureos and hoplites because they are more mobile and cost effective.

**Tartaros** · October 22, 2009, 12:42 AM

Hoplites generally seem to me slightly better against other infantry and quite more against cavalry (except ha's). That's sensible since they cost a little more. Thorakites with forge/experience upgrades though are nearly as effective.
I've tweaked my version to train hoplites in a single turn and I use both units equally (though no phalanx units - just too slow for my taste)

**Spartan198** · October 22, 2009, 01:53 AM

Hoplites on my line and Thorakitai on my flanks.

**TM Is Back** · October 22, 2009, 04:17 AM

I prefer hoplites even though I play with Alex.exe and have no shield-wall ability. The reason is because the hoplites make up a way better hammer then thorakitai do.

**Diomede** · October 22, 2009, 09:20 AM

I love using hoplites, but (probably my relative noobiness) I can't get to grips with phalanx warfare. I've always preferred barbarian factions so thoraks give me much more versatility. When you couple this with being able to spam them twice as fast... My typical early-campaign armies against Thrace and Rome have a couple archers, 12 thoraks with a couple cavalry units. The rest is made up of mercenaries, generally peltasts.

(I know hoplites aren't phalangites, I just find the lack of missile limiting.)

**The Hedge Knight** · October 22, 2009, 11:12 AM

Thokatari are a better unit too me simply because they don't take a s long to train and i'm normally on the defensive, also i like having javellins when manning the walls, if training doesn't matter than hoplites with sheild wall though, they look so awsome.

Ifi only have wooden walls then i fight on the plaza (my little tactic) and then hoplites are far better.

**Grimbold** · October 22, 2009, 06:51 PM

Still havent seen this "shield wall" ppl talk about.

**Total Roach** · October 22, 2009, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by Grimbold

Still havent seen this "shield wall" ppl talk about.

Syracusan Hoplites in Shield Wall formation

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Scutarii** · October 22, 2009, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by Grimbold

Still havent seen this "shield wall" ppl talk about.

You don't have BI then, so you can't use it... If you do, just make sure to install with the BI option, and click the special formations button to have the hoplites form up.