Mixed unit type formations

**Beiss** · August 03, 2006, 12:31 PM

I'd love to see the possibility to merge two groups of units (for example, swordsmen and pikemen) into one formation while still remaining in their respective groups. It's possible in RTW to make two groups of units stand together, but it doesn't work well when mobilizing. It'd be cool to have several formations like these, like, chessboar, every other line etc.

But this isn't gonna happen, is it?

**Barbarian-Bob** · August 03, 2006, 01:21 PM

No.

But I like your idea. Still, I don't think it would fit for Total War. Didn't BFME do it?

I think I'd rather just control units individually, though I like the idea of combining swords with spears to make a kick-ass unit that's great vs. just about everything.

**Amorphos** · August 03, 2006, 03:52 PM

Pikes work best in close proximity to one another – the enemy would be able to weave inbetween them also exposing the swordsmen's individual flanks.

So in reality would perhaps not work so well?

I do like the idea for barbarians in rome as they would sometimes have been made up of all manner of unit types in a mob.

It should perhaps be possible via formations – if the unit areas can cross over?

**juufa72** · August 03, 2006, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by attila of nazareth

I do like the idea for barbarians in rome as they would sometimes have been made up of all manner of unit types in a mob.

Can't go wrong with a mob of barbarians! Grrrrrrrr *paints face and paces in a circle yelling at the voices in his head while wearing nothing but a bear pelt*

**Beiss** · August 03, 2006, 04:24 PM

Maybe you're right. I still think the option to do it would be nice.

**Ringeck** · August 04, 2006, 04:38 AM

Considering that even the closest hellenistic pike formations often worked with light infantry intermingled amongst them i suspect that mixed formations was, overall, more common than most people want to realize.

**Mangerman** · August 04, 2006, 05:51 AM

Did they? Very interesting. It would be a lot more efficient when they were mixed, indeed.

**Kanfoosh** · August 04, 2006, 06:20 AM

Didnt the light infantry simply guard the flanks?

**Ringeck** · August 04, 2006, 06:35 AM

As I recall it, they functioned as skirmishers in the battle line, covered by the phalanx' spears - so there was definitely some space for manouver even within the formations (reasonably enough).