250 unit-specific abilities...

[sunsmountain]

Of course, the team isn't putting all its energy into making Medieval 2 look prettier; the designers are working hard to make it play better, too. It sounds like there will be even more for you to do in the midst of battle than before, such as deploying some of the roughly 250 unit-specific abilities that will be available. One example of these abilities we saw was when a group of longbowmen set up a line of stakes to stop an incoming cavalry charge. We also got just a taste of Medieval 2's new siege gameplay, which will allow defenders to fall back to multiple defensible levels as they try to fight off their attackers. Alas, we'll have to wait until E3 to get a full demo of how the siege system has evolved, but Assembly reps did imply that it's been much improved

Right....

- Phalanx
- Barbarian circle formation
- Shield wall
- hedgehog
- cantabrian circle
- stakes in the ground
- Guard
- Fire at will
- Rally
- Skirmish
- ...

not exactly 250, now is it? I certainly hope they will limit the number of new abilities, since the AI has a hard enough time using them as it is. Ever seen the AI use phalanx effectively? Skirmish like it should? Let them fix the old abilities first so they are used by our AI opponents, before adding more (which also won't be used... effectively at least).

[IamthePope]

I had a hard time believing that their would be 250+ abilities as well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[Scarlett Letterman]

The guy probably just got mixed up, confused the number with max number of units maybe.

[Shaun]

Just one thing, phalanx in Medieval times? And barbarian circle? And Guard fir at will rally and skirmish were not unit special abilites in RTW.

[Spiff]

I think its just a typo or misunderstanding from whoever wrote the article, it seems far more likely that there are simply 250+ individual units

[Sitarus Originalus PM-30+]

I think its just a typo or misunderstanding from whoever wrote the article, it seems far more likely that there are simply 250+ individual units

yes... that is also more likely in my oppinon.

[He Who Knows Nothing]

One ability per unit, no?

[Sitarus Originalus PM-30+]

One ability per unit, no?

hmmm... that wasnt entirely case in RTW... some unts do have same special abilities... some dont have special abilities... so if there will be 250 units, there probably wont be 250 special abilities.

[iKossu]

One ability per unit, no?

Yes... why not? But I doubt it (too) since it sounds way too dramatic compared to what the case was with RTW.

[Imperator of Rome]

Just one thing, phalanx in Medieval times? And barbarian circle? And Guard fir at will rally and skirmish were not unit special abilites in RTW.

Ever heard of swiss pikemen?They used the phalanx

[Virgil]

yeah or 25+ unit abilities.

[Semper_Crecis]

Unless each unit can perform a special ability, unique or no and the misunderstanding stems from this...

[Steeven]

While talking to the developers on E3 he mentioned that there will be over 250 units, I guess the writer made a little mistake.

[LSJ]

I can believe that there will be 25+ unit specific abilities, but I believe the 250+ was an error.
Im glad that the developers read some history books and added in the hedgehog and hopefully the stakforte (my adapted name for the stake wall).
The hedgehog is wonderful because you get the advantages of the testudo with the spears of a phalanx.
The stakforte is simply a line of spears that archers make when facing a cavalry charge. They carry short double sided spears, that are stuck in the ground facing the enemy at about a 45 degree angle. The archers shoot while the cavalry run into a spear wall.
If they actually added that technique, I will be able to make my fantasy mod! There are many tactics used by the soldiers in my planned mod that can't be implemented in RTW. In this game it may become a possibility.

[_GunneR_]

Perhaps it was more like "...250 units, specific ablilities..."

[Sitarus Originalus PM-30+]

Perhaps it was more like "...250 units, specific ablilities..."

that is a good argument....

[_GunneR_]

No the phalanx was not used by the swiss pikemen. They were set up differently not as ordered also the phalanxes required shield bearing men swiss pikemen did not carry shields.

[Imperator of Rome]

Why do you need a shield to form a phalanx,...last time I checked all you needed was alot of guys in close formation with long spears.

[MoROmeTe]

A "phalanx" is the name usually used to describe the formations of hoplites of the Ancient Greece's city states. They had shields... sustained on one arm while the other held a spear. Their interlocking shields are very important, providing the phalanx with defence, mass of attack, defence from arrows, morale, cohesion...

The Macedonians created a "pike phalanx" where the pikes, longer than the spears of the hoplite, were more important than the shields. Both hands were on the pike so no hand was available to sustain the shield. It was dangled by the neck and supported on one hand. The pikes kept the enemy at a distance and repelled part of the arrows fired at them, shields were less important. If it came to individual combet, the shield was not effective.

The Swiss pikemen created a "block" formation that closely resembled the "pike phalanx" of the Macedonians. If was not a phalanx formation per se but rather a new formation inspired from the Ancient pahalnx...

[Caius Britannicus]

A "phalanx" is the name usually used to describe the formations of hoplites of the Ancient Greece's city states. They had shields... sustained on one arm while the other held a spear. Their interlocking shields are very important, providing the phalanx with defence, mass of attack, defence from arrows, morale, cohesion...

The Macedonians created a "pike phalanx" where the pikes, longer than the spears of the hoplite, were more important than the shields. Both hands were on the pike so no hand was available to sustain the shield. It was dangled by the neck and supported on one hand. The pikes kept the enemy at a distance and repelled part of the arrows fired at them, shields were less important. If it came to individual combet, the shield was not effective.

The Swiss pikemen created a "block" formation that closely resembled the "pike phalanx" of the Macedonians. If was not a phalanx formation per se but rather a new formation inspired from the Ancient pahalnx...

I would say that a phalanx does not directly refer to hoplites or pike phalanxs. But as the poster you were responding to said, a close packed formation of men. Even in ancient times this is what it seems to refer to. If you go back to Caesar he refers to Germans fighting in phalanx. Surely he means that they are fighitng in tight close ranks and not in a greek hoplite phalanx. Even if you go to the dictionary the phalanx's first definition is

"A compact or close-knit body of people"

So I would have to say that swis pikemen fought in a phalanx.