Long pikes.

[Hakomar]

I'm not sure if this should be in the unit editing section, but it not a question how to do it, but is it possible?

In M2:TW (I know the engine is somewhat different, and so on), giving a unit the phalanx (I know it is a shield_wall) only puts them in a bracing position, but does not change the length of their spears, even if you put long/shot_pike on.

Even though the above story has no interferance whatsoever to my question, it got me thinking.
I don't know if you guys know, or if I am making things up, but you can keep the short_pike attribute without the phalanx formation, and it is effectively the same, apart from it does not stop units dead in its track, and the spears are much different, etc. Anyhow, any animation you use will be used when the unit is ready, but when marching or still, it has an individual animation of its own (I remember using fs_s1_hoplite with the short_pike attribute, they walked underarm, but are ready over-arm)The back row hold their spears at a fourty-five degree angle, and so have an odd attacking animation, but the front few rows do fine. Anyway, after my rambling, I was wondering if it was possible to actually change the model of the unit, and give it an eighteen foot pike by extending the length of the model of the spear, and then see what happens?

Please remember, I do not want an answer saying give it long_pike and phalanx or something like that. I want to know if it is possible using the short_pike attribute to give it a kind of animation, whilst have increibly long spears, instead of using long_pike to extend it automatically.

[Halie Satanus]

The problem is any unit your fighting will stand the distance away that you've specified for your spears/pike. So if you give the unit an 18 foot pike model and set the attribute to spear your opponent will only be standing seven feet away.

[Hakomar]

Ah, I see.

[Kylan271]

Heh,Iwas about to ask about Short Pikes and found this.

I found the same with short_pike and phalanx,making no difference.

I know this is more Aradan's area as in EDU tutorials,but how to assign short pike correctly? I assign them to Iph.Holpite types,but using phalanx with it-is there any point though,stat wise?

[Hakomar]

Aradans guides got me into modding, and he has helped me on numerous times, so I could answer that question.
If memory serves, in his EDU guide he mentioned that it is a rigid formation, and breaks asily, therefore you want it in phalanx or shield_wall using BI. I personally prefer using shield_wall for BI, because I feel the phalanx formatin on hoplites renders them too immobile, and gives them a good defense value. Your only problem is possible envelopment, but I am not here to tell tactics, hehe.
The phalanx, I have found will keep the enemy in place, and it is more of a one weapon than shield wall, and they cooperate with eachother. The first row usually impale itself, then you may want to envelop, or something similar, but instead of impaling without it, it individually stabs, and fights like a regular soldier.

It is possible to use animations with the phalanx, as with everything, and using fs_s1_hoplite as I do, I once changed every hoplite animation to it, whilst forgetting to rid the phalanx attribute. They have akward shield positioning, but I am sure a veteran modeller could fix that, and it looked rather good, but I still prefer the no phalanx.

Unfortunately, The Creative Assembly did not make a good hoplite, whilst possibly good for later variations and reforms of Greece, the actual lack of animation for hoplites, is just laziness on their part.

If you do want to make hoplites, beware, they do attack individually.

Apologies for my off-topicness and ramblings that trail off.