quick guard mode question

**bb82** · May 19, 2012, 05:37 PM

Does the mod change what it does from vanilla? What does it do exactly? I play only Rome so more looking at when/if it should be enabled in this mod for that faction.

Thanks,
bb

**Simon_Bar-Kochba** · May 19, 2012, 05:49 PM

I dont think the mod changes in battle style except that you got a awesome cool map and super cool units on the map

The campaign is harder because the big building tree

**Ferdiad** · May 19, 2012, 06:53 PM

Stuff like guard mode is hardcoded, you cant edit it.

**bb82** · May 20, 2012, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by Ferdiad

Stuff like guard mode is hardcoded, you cant edit it.

Then why does the formations have some with guard mode on while some with it off at the start of the battle? I thought guard mode in RTW was just about not chasing fleeing enemies. Does it have other abilities?

Just trying to figure out when and when not to use it.

**Ferdiad** · May 20, 2012, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by bb82

Then why does the formations have some with guard mode on while some with it off at the start of the battle? I thought guard mode in RTW was just about not chasing fleeing enemies. Does it have other abilities?

Just trying to figure out when and when not to use it.

Guard mode also means your men will attack less and defend more. That means fewer casualties on both sides.

**ur-Lord Tedric** · May 20, 2012, 02:37 PM

The reason the 'standard chequerboard' has the first line not- and the 2nd line with-Guard - is an attempt to replicate the 'manipular tactic'.

The first line will engage the troops, attack and envelop the flanks, where possible, and go off in pursuit. They will fight harder and tire quicker.

Troops in the 2nd line on Guard will hold their ground. If told to attack they will hold their formation (often restricting the number of men attacking). They are more on the defensive, will stay fresh for much longer, will suffer fewer casualties and do not pursue.

I play Romans - all my infantry are on Guard to start (less Velites/Antesignanii out front), I use the standard open chequerboard or the closer one dependant on enemy and/or ground, with tweaks. Guard is taken off selectively to attack the flanks or rear. I'm a great believer in 'holding the line'.

**bb82** · May 20, 2012, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by ur-Lord Tedric

The first line will engage the troops, attack and envelop the flanks, where possible, and go off in pursuit. They will fight harder and tire quicker.

Troops in the 2nd line on Guard will hold their ground. If told to attack they will hold their formation (often restricting the number of men attacking). They are more on the defensive, will stay fresh for much longer, will suffer fewer casualties and do not pursue.

I'll put guard on the first line to hold longer. Then I'll have the second line flank and such with guard mode off, to fill in the gaps and have units fighting wherever they can.

**Lt.Speirs** · May 20, 2012, 07:19 AM

To be honest, I'd like to find out as well. Playing as rome, (army with 8 cohorts, 2 triarrii etc) the first line has guard mode off, and the second line has guard mode on. Most of the time im switching these so the first line is just standing their ground while I ram my second line of cohorts in the enemy to support.

And ofcourse the choice to not chase fleeing enemies is also handy in some battles.

**Primo** · May 20, 2012, 08:46 AM

Always have the first line of your troops in guard mode (if you are defending) - the enemy will clash against them, but your troops won't loose ground (only if the enemy outnumbers you greatly) and they will perform pretty well. The amount of losses is reduced, as a direct result - but on both sides. It is ideal for flanking manouvers.

If you use phalanxes - always put them in guard mode. Always. They are just so much better using it.

If you are on the offensive, you shouldn't use guard mode - apart from the phalanxes, of course.

**bb82** · May 20, 2012, 03:23 PM

I can't stomach battles that show weak units destroying superior units solely because of stat increases. So I only play on medium usually. Although I did play on VH for STW2 since the battles were not so obvious with weak units destroying elite units.

For Rome I play on medium and try a few house rules to make the battles somewhat challenging. Same with VH for campaign on STW2. Since you could still use diplomacy and have peace when you want or war when you want it seemed fine. In Rome I can't see myself going more than H and probably just M, since AI is aggressive enough and battles are non stop.

**Anthropoid** · May 20, 2012, 09:10 PM

A related question: the "charge bonus," does it only derive when you actively select and then rapidly double click another unit to make it attack at run?

Would the charge bonus all derive if I took a unit, or unit in group, selected it, drag and drop a new position for their formation that overlaps with the first row or two of an enemy formation, then tell them to run?

**Ferdiad** · May 20, 2012, 11:16 PM

It requires the double click, their state will change to charging when they get in range.

**kanzy** · May 22, 2012, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by Ferdiad

It requires the double click, their state will change to charging when they get in range.

Double clicking to get to the target enemy unit faster but even with one click and your unit walking to the enemy they will charge when are in range as long as the have been ordered to attack.

Works the same for Cav. but there is a minimum distance before they can charge if Cav. are too close they wont get the charge bonus even if you double click, you will see them just run in to the enemy, you can notice this very clearly in Lance using Cav. as they will lower their lances in a thrusting position when in charge but will keep them held in default position when they are just running in to the enemy unit.

**Jasper9080** · May 21, 2012, 08:16 PM

Wait, so all this time I had my units running into battle they weren't charging?

Well, shoot

**5th Lieutenant** · May 22, 2012, 03:34 AM

I'll put guard on the first line to hold longer. Then I'll have the second line flank and such with guard mode off, to fill in the gaps and have units fighting wherever they can.

I agree; the first line should hold the enemy (Guard mode on) while the absence of Guard mode on the second line means they fight more agressively when brought in to position and push in to the enemy formation; the hammer to the first line's anvil.