about line infantry

this thread is purely about how deep you deploy your line infantry. by that i mean when you select an infantry unit at the start of a game, and right click/drag where you want it to deploy, do you stretch it out so that it only has 2 lines of men, or 3 or 4 (or 5?)? i usually deploy my men 3 lines thick, but i adjust for any changes that may happen in battle (such as losing men). i do this so enough men can fire without being to stretched out and vulnerable to infantry charges etc.

so how do you deploy your men?

No. no. no. no. no. In multiplayer 2 ranks is best. But if you are a heavy flanker, or are being flanked you should spread to 1 1/2 ranks deep.

People don't do too many inf charges, so no need to worry. Simply counter charge, or form square. The fire power of 2 ranks compaired to 4 ranks is worth the risks you speak of.

Originally Posted by Tyler_the_Great

People don't do too many inf charges, so no need to worry. Simply counter charge, or form square.

I'm almost certain forming square against infantry charges are counterproductive (unlike in ETW).
If you look at my first NTW vid (Borodino with Blonkers, about 6 minutes in), I get charged by a unit that was down to 50 men; charge impact cost me 15, I all in all lost 30 before they routed, and I think that was militia.
In fact, I've made a habit of charging squares with infantry now if they're close enough. My newest vid is a good example: sure, those are ideal conditions (Russians, downhill) but my two units rout 4 enemy ones.

i think it works better because of the smaller area the charge impacts. Also prevents cav coming in from behind etc.

Reserve tactics !!!!!

I just spread my line out as thin as possible.I used to do 2 ranks,but I never got charged ('cept by russia of course) so I just don't worry about my depth.If I DO get melee charged I just form square and that's usually enough to hold out until my cav comes to the rescue. Also,yeah,reserves are a great way to counter melee of any sort,even though I never use them except on cramped maps like waterloo and borodino (pretty much all the maps that scream, "Look,i'm a camper.Please rip down my tent now ")

If i'm trying to hold a position i will keep my line stretched out but if im trying to move them around a flank i might keep them a little more compact,they seem a bit more responsive that way.

Yes, it does prevent cav charges from behind (although that is very rare on maps other than Grassy Flatlands).
About the effect though, I'm not talking about how it should work but about what I have been observing how it seems to do work.

thanks i'll start stretching my infantry out more. sometimes i've seen people stretch out their infantry 3 lines thick, other times 2 or 1 1/2. from now on i do 2. also, come to think of it, the only times i've been charged have been at the end of a game (when other side is out of ammo) or when i'm up against ottomans, in which case you should try and fire as many shots as possible before they charge you. and squares probaly wouldn't affect infantry combat much, as they are only really useful to cover your flanks from cav, and if an infantry unit does charge you, they may pull back at the last moment to start shooting you when you form a square (tis what i would do, if i still had ammo).

the only times ive charged infantry is when i've had superior numbers, esp whith better infantry, and thats when im about to win, or i need to move forward rapidly, like if im supporting an ally.

try charging with grens on terrian maps,very devastating,the hungarian grens just wipe out everything give them 1 or 2 chevs and even old guard are not safe,my last game i got 250 kills(ultra)with one of them,they are like austria's guard hunters.

nice one mate

2 probably allows you a lot of flexibility.personally though, i spread my lines out a lot, try to maximise firepower when i actually engage the line inf. though if you are 2/3 lines deep when covering behind light inf, that would reduce your casualties from stray bullets, but i doubt that it would be very significant

does placing your men in dense blocks improve their charge/melee capabilities? I was playing on the desert map with the large ridge in the middle and my opponent was camping on top with tons of lights and line. I managed to dispatch him by charging my men in in dense blocks to deliver a volley at point blank range and follow up with the bayonet. of course I did plenty of flanking action to draw away his guys who were in thin lines and thus it took them ages to maneuver about the battlefield

not sure, but it sounds logical, more men smashing through a thin line.the remainder of the enemy unit has to run to actually melee your men, by which time they have sustained heavy casualties and a morale drop

from now on i use 2 lines, disregarding infantry charges as they rarely happen. my games have been going much better recently when i do this. Also, i don't spread them 1 1/2 lines thick, because this leads to them losing mobility, making it hard for them to turn around and face a new threat (cos it takes a long time for the men to get into a new position). Also, 1 1/2 lines can sometimes lead you too your men touching the enemy units sometimes, only when manouvering around though. 2 lines wins =D

also means that it's easier for men to take up a new firing position when the men in the first line get shot. if your men are in 1.5 to 1 men deep, then when the line gets shredded they take ages to reform

if you are up against a guard unit, its a difficult choice, because you are going to inevitably lose a fair few men.but i try to just outnumber those units

ah yes, if im facing an old guard unit...

MWAR GUNZ! MWAR BULLETZ!

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Titus thongus... i love your name

gona name my son that one day. ho ho