Alpine Phalanx+ Teceitos beware!

[chomskola]

Holy moly, i'm discovering the anti-heavy infantry possibilities of these units for the first time. On custom battles I fought the alpine phalanx against Thorakiti. Using their spears the phalanx got mauled but when I switched to hand axe, they massacred the spearmen. So..I wanted to try more, I fought a unit of Teceitos, they also pawned the Thorakiti big time. These axe units punch WAY above their weight. Now these battles were all toe-to-toe, I'm guessing as flankers axe men can wreak havoc. Anyone else an axe-bitten fan of axes out there??

[Spike]

we all knew that axes are superb against heavy troops in EB, they even works better than short swords , and for all things, often cheaper...

[chomskola]

we all knew that axes are superb against heavy troops in EB..

..cool story bro...

[Bladvak]

I think you are discovering EB as a whole. First jewish spearmen, now this ...

Here's a hint for your next topic: play as Arche Seleukeia and manually fight the battles with Pahlava. You'll know what I mean when you fight against armored horse archers.

[Entropy Judge]

These axe units punch WAY above their weight.

Yes, all axe units seem much more powerful than you'd expect. Comes with having good Lethality (.165) and AP properties. Of course, Teceitos are inferior to the almighty Tekastos, and even they pale before Thrakian Peltasts.

[Bladvak]

Yes, all axe units seem much more powerful than you'd expect. Comes with having good Lethality (.165) and AP properties. Of course, Teceitos are inferior to the almighty Tekastos, and even they pale before Thrakian Peltasts.

you forget Clona Tekonac (Northern Axemen) from Iberia. they are a tough nut to crack, especially in sieges.

[chomskola]

SO...does this mean that units like Neitos and Llergetans that have highly lethal sword but no AP are best used against medium infantry, where their advantage will be more worthwhile? I guess theres some point where a units attack and defence are so good, they are just usable against anyone..i.e. hellenic royal guard, Gaesatae etc.

[The Kybrothilian]

SO...does this mean that units like Neitos and Llergetans that have highly lethal sword but no AP are best used against medium infantry, where their advantage will be more worthwhile? I guess theres some point where a units attack and defence are so good, they are just usable against anyone..i.e. hellenic royal guard, Gaesatae etc.

Units with high lethality weapons (longswords for ex.) are best against less armoured infantry, where they can chop them down faster.

[Entropy Judge]

you forget Clona Tekonac (Northern Axemen) from Iberia. they are a tough nut to crack, especially in sieges.

I didn't forget them; I simply didn't include them. Stat-wise, they're only slightly superior to Teceitos - a significantly better missile, granted, but they're 7/2/12 for Defense while Teceitos are 6/3/11. Teceitos have a better Charge, as well, and they have the same Attack. Clona have better Morale ... but they're still significantly more expensive. Given the small, out-of-the-way AoR - especially compared to Tekastos! - and the price, and they're just not that great a unit unless you have trouble getting other Axemen or can get into northern Iberia quickly enough. Tekastos are both cheaper *and* larger, and so what if they can't Hide in Long Grass?

Don't get me wrong, I love the Asturians. They're just not powerful enough compared to more widespread, cheaper alternatives to be really considered in most cases.

SO...does this mean that units like Neitos and Llergetans that have highly lethal sword but no AP are best used against medium infantry, where their advantage will be more worthwhile?

Units like the Ilergetum, Bataroas, and Dunaminica, with middling-high Armour, high Lethality weapons, and good Skill are best used as Medium infantry - jacks of all trades, who are there partially to deal with other Medium infantry and partially to deal with opposing AP units. Most AP units have low Defense for one reason or another, and are relatively easy to hit; since Ilergetum, Bataroas, and Dunaminica don't rely so heavily on Armour to provide them with Defense, the AP doesn't affect them as much and so they're better-qualified to deal with them.

A unit like the Neitos is a high-quality line unit. It's there to provide heavy support to a lighter line (of spears or medium-grade swordsmen) and to provide a heavy shock force to punch into an enemy's line first and take most of the fire, since they're less likely to die (thanks to high Armour and Skill).

I guess theres some point where a units attack and defence are so good, they are just usable against anyone..i.e. hellenic royal guard, Gaesatae etc.

There is, but most units don't reach it. Gaesatae don't, not really - their strength is high Attack and 2 HP, so they can usually cut a unit down before they eventually fall. Germanic Heavy Infantry and Hypaspistai get there (amusing thought - GHI are nearly as good as Hyps, and are in fact cheaper). Dubosaverlacica and Thorakitai Agematos Basilikou hold the throne of it, though. And Dosidataskeli are so ridiculously overpowered that they could probably take a Cataphract charge from behind and still win.

[Ferdiad]

Do you use ALX exe? Phalanxes are quite effective against everyone when used with ALX.