Fighting with a Phalanx

[Gibbs]

I have some problems fighting as any of the hellenic factions. Using the phalanx is very difficult for me in this mod. I never seem to be able to pin the enemy's infantry with my own. They always outflank me.
So if anyone has some tips and/or experience fighting with a phalanx please teach me.

[Eshmunamesh]

First of all, you are using more than one phalanx unit in a line right? One of the strengths
of a solid center phalanx is that the enemy gets drawn out and end up milling about
in front of your men with nowhere to go.

Also, use light troops to protect your flanks. Preferably the best light troops you can
recruit.

When I use a Hellenic faction, I usually have a center of about 6 phalanx units, missile
units behind them, and 2-3 lighter,or even heavy (non-phalanx) units, on each flank,
plus some cavalry to counter any immediate threat. Works pretty handily.

[Gibbs]

Yes i use more than one unit. I guess my problem really is not protecting my flanks enough. Also I guess 8 phalanx infantry are a bit to much, right? (only 3 other more mobile infantry as reserves)

[Kozmonavt]

You don't really need phalanxes in my opinin, simply use any kind of medium quality hoplites with defense of around 30. This way you don't have to worry about cohesion. Focus instead on heavy cavalry, have six of those that cause fear (companions for Macedon). It's still good to have some really good infantry and missile troops for breakthroughs and sieges, but cavalry is the most important component in any open battle. Make sure the infantry line is fully engaged (engage the flanks slightly before the center to bottle them in and don't wait for them to charge first), then make a cavalry sweep from both sides (groups of 2 or 3), killing support units and generals, then focusing on infantry.

[Gibbs]

That's basically my tactic as the romans. But i wanna play as a hellenic faction to play with phalanxes- Thanks for the advice anyway.

[Kozmonavt]

That's basically my tactic as the romans. But i wanna play as a hellenic faction to play with phalanxes- Thanks for the advice anyway.

Romans? Seriously? You're doing it wrong.

[NightEye]

Romans? Seriously? You're doing it wrong.

If you're playing it historically. I can say the same about your advice about not needing phalaxes

Anyway, 4-6 Phalanx units is adequate for me. As for flank cover go for 2 - 4 heavy infantry units like Hypaspists, Hoplites (basic or Epilektoi) and Machaiphoroi (or other imitation legionnaires), anything can do though try get stuff that can handle both infantry and cavalry. Behind that, 3-4 bowmen and/or slingers.
You should always at least have 5 Heavy cav on hand as they and the phalanx go together. \

And if you're willing to replenish their numbers often, bring skirmisher troops, their javelins can break charges once and a while and you can use them for arrow/stone fodder.

And I agree with Chris Death's tactic the with Cavalry, it works.

[Kozmonavt]

If you're playing it historically. I can say the same about your advice about not needing phalaxes

Sure, but you need to keep in mind that historically all those successor kingdoms armies degenerated to phalanx stackspams with a stripped down cavalry component. As evidenced by the battle at Pydna, this was an epic fail, Carthage, however, won crushing victories with ordinary spearmen (not even hoplites) and strong cavalry. The time frame of this mod takes place after Pyrrhus, possibly the last person with a properly balanced phalanx army, and even his army was archaic and as such ineffective. I think adapting to a more manipular infantry composition is perfectly historical, after all Pontus did it eventually and all the necessary units are available to you in the mod (unlike in vanilla). The function of spearmen remains exactly the same anyway, to hold the line while cavalry (with or without shock infantry) does its magic, just without the inflexibility of a phalanx.

[Ferdiad]

I use:
1 General
9 Phalanxes
4 Fank protectors(Thorakitai, Hypapist etc)
5 Companion Cav(any heavy cav with good charge will do)
2 Slingers

I keep one phalanx in reserve if the situation warrants It, 2 flank protectors on both sides.Organise cavalry into two groups of three(put general in a group) when infantry are engaged, flank with cav and destroy ranged, and cav.Bring slingers around to fire stones into backs of units(Skirmish off).Then charge your cav en masse into their inf backs which will usually cause a mass route.It helps to kill the general early on.

[iKossu]

1 General
9 Phalanxes
4 Fank protectors(Thorakitai, Hypapist etc)
5 Companion Cav(any heavy cav with good charge will do)
2 Slingers

Blackjack!

[Uberbyford]

I tend to have around 8 levy pikemen in a long line with a unit of swordsmen/hoplites on either flank. I find the enemy tends to attack head on toward the centre so I just make the end phalanxes surround them. Enemies dont seem to like being attacked by phalanxes from 2 or 3 directions at once. If their still holding on then Hetairoi/roxolani lancers in the rear sends even the most battle hardened armies running. About 4 archers help as well to batter down their numbers then retreat behind the line.

[Chris Death]

Keeping your cavalry behind the phalanx line all close to the center instead of
positioning them at the flanks will also draw the enemy's attention more to
your phalanx instead of trying to outflank you.

After they engaged your infantry line you can send them around the flanks
off course to do their job.

~S~ CD

[Athenogoras]

To draw enemy infantry into my phalanx I use weak troops in front to lure them in. For example use 2 units of peltast-like troops. Put them on hold(not skirmish), perhaps also loose formation and fire at will...and let the enemy eat them up...until they are run over by your phalanx

[Visarion]

Keeping your cavalry behind the phalanx line all close to the center instead of
positioning them at the flanks will also draw the enemy's attention more to
your phalanx instead of trying to outflank you.

After they engaged your infantry line you can send them around the flanks
off course to do their job.

interesting...

[Perdiccas_Nile]

Try putting a phalanx unit on each side of your battle line at an angle - thus protecting their flanks. With lighter troops behind them just incase.

[DarthLazy]

You do realize that you can simple move the phalanx i.e avoid being outflanked by the AI?

[NightEye]

Yeah I know, I do a lot when I have more than one stack to deal with or a feel like using the phalanx agressively

[DarthLazy]

No. It was simply due to lack of Phalangites. There was no Manipular Adoption by any Hellenic Power.

[Kozmonavt]

No. It was simply due to lack of Phalangites. There was no Manipular Adoption by any Hellenic Power.

Oh. I guess I assumed Pontus adopted more than just roman equipment. Still, I think Pydna made it's point.

[NightEye]

Still, a phalanx is one of the hellenic factions' strengths. Yes it has weaknesses but once you know how to negate those weaknesses you'll be fine. Besides, aside from the elites and the more competent hoplites, I've yet to see spearmen hold off numbered legions very long.