Phalanx mode

[Mored]

Hello, I have some units with the phalanx formation, and as you al know it's impossible to let them run when they are formed in a phalanx.
I want to know ho can you change the game that it is possible to let them run when they are in phalanx mode.

[Publius]

Try giving them the schiltrom ability instead of the phalanx ability in export_descr_units. Not sure if this is RTW compatible but its worth a try. Units will always be in "phalanx" mode with spears down, but able to run and form a schiltrom

[Lusted]

You can't edit the phalanx formation, it is hardcoded.

[Mored]

But then the only problem is a don't have BI.

And does someone wants to explain me what "hardcoded" means?

[Lusted]

We can't edit it, it is in the hardcode of the program in the .exe.

[DEMETRIOUS II]

You don't need BI you can do this in 1.5. All you have to do is give the hoplites the short_pike ability in export_desc_unit and leave them out of phalanx formation. They will form up as phalanx and be able to run and charge as a phalanx.

The problem is the first lines will almost imediately switch to swords upon impact, but hey at least you get a faster moving phalanx type formation.

[Red Harvest]

You don't need BI you can do this in 1.5. All you have to do is give the hoplites the short_pike ability in export_desc_unit and leave them out of phalanx formation. They will form up as phalanx and be able to run and charge as a phalanx.

The problem is the first lines will almost imediately switch to swords upon impact, but hey at least you get a faster moving phalanx type formation.

It has some fairly large drawbacks in that the phalanx pikes do nothing at all in the way of stand off now with short_pike. The enemy penetrates instantly. Hence the switch to swords.

[Mored]

Yes, I know how to give a unit the phalanx formation, I have don't it with some units of me.
But isn't the game written in C or something like that?
Why don't CA give the code of the .exe?

[tFighterPilot]

Yes, I know how to give a unit the phalanx formation, I have don't it with some units of me.
But isn't the game written in C or something like that?
Why don't CA give the code of the .exe?

No company has ever done it, for good reasons

[Publius]

Hardcoded??? Maybe I misunderstand but all I have to do to change a regular spear infantry unit to one with the phalanx ability is simply add the word "phalanx" into that units export_descr_unit. They then have that ability ingame, so I dont see how that is hardcoded ...

[tFighterPilot]

Hardcoded??? Maybe I misunderstand but all I have to do to change a regular spear infantry unit to one with the phalanx ability is simply add the word "phalanx" into that units export_descr_unit. They then have that ability ingame, so I dont see how that is hardcoded ...

You did misunderstand, he asked about making phalanx units run while in phalanx formation.

[meisverybored]

Historically, hoplites coudn't run in phalanx. The formation would get disrupted. Same thing if you were trying to turn a corner or go over rough terrain with one, which along with weakness when attacked from a flank was the 2 main weaknesses of a phalanx.

[Publius]

Welcome to the forums, Mr. Bored

[Holger Danske]

hehe I would like to see a Macedonian Phalanx runing.. Damn they would pwn anything on impacts... Execpt Chuck Norris!

[Legionary Jezza]

so we cnt wait till the close so we can have access but we want more total war gmes so we dnt want them to close

[Cha0sMarin3]

Why dont you just increase the walking speed of a normal phalanx?

[Publius]

I thought the only way to do that was editing the battle_movement_modifiers file which would change all unit speeds. I am not sure if you can single out a unit and make them faster.

[Kallikratis]

If you dislike phalanx mode, like me, the finest formation for the hoplites is the shield wall. However you must have the expansion in order to enjoy.

[severdhope]

Greek Hoplites would charge the enemy as fast as possible, often battle would only include several hundred men on each side and their was no cav pursuit as the battle was more of a test of strength and will between cities. This is during the classical age before Macedon. Macedon lightened the armor and lengthened the spears dramatically, making the formation even stronger, I'm not sure if the new formations would charge, but I belive so. (Also, as a side-note, peltast were not skirmishers, but rather the Thracian precursor to Alexander's Phalanx, removing most of their armor and carrying very long pikes.) So it is historically accurate for at least the shorter spears to run. Im not as sure about the long pike formations, but I'm fairly certain that they could run in formation as well. Turning would be the major issue faced by troops.

[Red Harvest]

(Also, as a side-note, peltast were not skirmishers, but rather the Thracian precursor to Alexander's Phalanx, removing most of their armor and carrying very long pikes.) So it is historically accurate for at least the shorter spears to run. Im not as sure about the long pike formations, but I'm fairly certain that they could run in formation as well. Turning would be the major issue faced by troops.

That is not correct, peltasts WERE skirmishers. Thracians are shown with javelins OR long thrusting spear, not both. The traditional Thracian peltast was not a pikeman. However, some Thracians did use ever longer thrusting spears...but not with javelins. Therefore they were not peltasts. You can try to get into a semantic argument based on the name of the shield, but that would be silly...as Thracian cavalry were shown armed just as Thracian peltasts. As far as I know the Thracians were not known for fighting in phalanx, so the pikeman argument falls apart. One can have a long thrusting spear and not be in phalanx.

Seems to me you are thinking of the disputed Iphicratid reforms on this issue.