Okay, so two issues..diplomacy and the phalanx

[Graycloak]

Simple issue first; is there something obvious I am missing or is it just impossible to command a unit in phalanx properly? No matter how I try to use them, they seem to end up milling around uselessly as their formation disintegrates and they are murdered by supposedly inferior AI troops...yet the AI phalanx seems to stand there in a block, even when hit from 3 sides?

Complicated issue, related to all TW games not just this mod: Is there ANY way to fix diplomacy? I am sick to death of EVERY last AI power attacking me for no damn reason, even when they are basically killing themselves to do it. Even 20yrs+ of peaceful relations doesn't seem to matter...out of the blue some stupid attack on a meaningless army or blockading some minor port. Similarly, no one ever accepts peace...even on the most ridiculously generous terms.

[DimeBagHo]

Phalanx: They can be hard to manage at times. They will keep formation better in guard mode, and obviously you don't want to be giving them move orders when they are engaged in melee. Also the unit scattering bug can seriously screw things up. The bug occurs when a few men from a unit get split off and never quite manage to rejoin it, so the unit spends a lot of time trying to reform. If that's the problem try using the Alex exe.

Diplomacy: There really is no way to fix it, but there are a few things you can do that will help. (1) Play on a lower campaign difficulty level. (2) Use the force diplomacy script. (3) Use assassins to keep the agents of other factions out of your territory.

[Graycloak]

Hmm any tips on how to move a phalanx into combat then? A lot of my problems seem to occur right as the lines meet, with the phalanx either spinning or everyone going spears up and mashing into the enemy. About the alex.exe....I assume that means buying the Alexander expansion? (never bothered with it)

I know there isn't any real fix with the diplomacy...just sooo annoyed with it atm that I had to vent

((absolutely awesome mod btw)

[DimeBagHo]

If you keep them in guard mode you won't have as much trouble with them turning or moving out of place. I usually group my phalanx together and move it as a block. If you need to advance towards the enemy, get the block facing directly towards them well before you make contact, then move directly forward. Any turning movements will tend to disorganise your phalanx units. Stop just as your pikes make contact with the enemy.

If you want your phalanx to keep pressing into the enemy then switch guard mode off. Switch it back on again if your phalanx starts to become disorgaised. With a bit of practice you can run your phalanx up to the enemy line, with pikes up, and then drop your pikes into the enemy line just as you make contact.

[Alavaria]

With a bit of practice you can run your phalanx up to the enemy line, with pikes up, and then drop your pikes into the enemy line just as you make contact.

Hmm, really now >___> When I do that, one idiot will be a foot from the formation and everyone moves into a single clump and starts spinning about.

It's better to run them close, then walk slowly up. When they're in place, hit backspace and let them form themselves up perfectly before turning on phalanx mode. That works nicely.

[DimeBagHo]

If you use guard mode, move them as a block (i.e. grouped), and (most important) make sure they are moving directly forward with no movement to either side, it will work. Of course you need reasonably flat unbroken terrain as well.