Shieldwall

[MagUidir]

how important/effective is the shieldwall ability in TLK? since that was the basic form of fighting at this time period? and do all melee units have it? jw guys! love the work keep it up!

[GatorMarine1833]

Unfortunately shieldwall is hardcoded so we can't change its bonuses as we'd like.

Essentially unit formations are pretty tight to simulate shieldwalls at least in appearance. The actual formation is in for most units and is best suited for the following:

1) To by time in the defense of a chokepoint
2) To close the distance between your units and enemy long range units
3) To absorb a cavalry charge

For 1 it's important to remember that while the formation makes your guys die at a slower rate, it also makes them kill at a slower rate so this should be used to either stop an enemy charge or hold them in place while you try to flank the enemies. Once you've got all your guys in place then you break formation and let the slaughter begin.

2 is where it's most effective. As the Vikings and Saxons, you may find yourself up against huge numbers of Irish units who either use Javelines primarily or as a pre-charge weapon that can dwindle your numbers significantly. If you don't act appropriately you may end up losing enough of your proud Huskarls that by the time you've reached melee distance, the unarmored Irish Kerns will have enough of a majority to kill your guys (and losing high level units is pretty harsh in this mod, so keep them safe). By using shieldwall you will be able to advance without taking many losses from ranged weapons (you may not lose any!), then when you get close enough, break formation and kill them all. The same can be said Welsh longbows, Welsh/Scottish skirmishers, Norman Crossbows, etc.

3 is tricky because shieldwall doesn't necessarily help too much, but it makes your formation denser (thus giving the unit more concentrated mass). This means that cavalry will not be able to penetrate as deeply and will make it harder to chop you formations apart. It's best to use shieldwall to absorb the charge, then feel out the engagement, it may be advantageous to leave them in formation (especially if the cavalry is trying to charge, pull back and charge again), but you may find a good opportunity to break formation and start killing the bogged down horsemen. In any case, both sides will probably lose a significant amount of men (and if it's a high quality cav unit, but a low quality infantry unit, the inf may still be wiped out). In this situation it's also good to remember that losing a significant amount of cavalry is more significant than losing an equal amount of most infantry types.

[MagUidir]

hey thanks for the feedback gator! i appreciate it! you guys are doin great work cant wait to try it out!

[danova]

The 70% of the unit will have (basic) shieldwall ability and Gator made the balance so the battles are slow and bloody...
I had some problem with two hand axe units but finally I could solve it so they got it.

Btw, thanks your exposition Gator!
.

[MagUidir]

sounds awesome gents!

[0ldboy]

Can you tell me guys, does Kingdoms have units with the shieldwall ability or is this something you guys have implemented? I never came accross the shieldwall ability in Kingdoms.

[MagUidir]

the danes had it i used it when i played the teutonic campaign as danes, also the brittainia campaign has it too i think just only certain units have it the ostmen of irish have it and a few of the viking unitis have it. and somewhere in earlier posts it was explained that that most units in TLK will have this ability that way the battles will be a slow bloody affair!!!

[GatorMarine1833]

N/M already answered in above post

[0ldboy]

awesome, thanks guys, will check it out now!

Strange, I can't find any units with it, from Norway, Denmark or the Irish !! Hmmmm I believe you guys but I still can't see it!

[Legionarii]

But danova will the AI use shieldwall? In other mods I have never seen them use it!!!
And in this mod they must

[Warface93]

i think xeryx ai is good enough and the ai will use theri shildwall ability

[Legionarii]

Great can`t wait to crush English shields