Guard Mode!

[click2kill]

Guard mode stops your units from chasing routing enemies. I only use this for spear infantry to hold the line. Up to now I still don't fully understand what other uses does it have? Pros & Cons? Should I use guard mode on Heavy Cavalry? etc...

[PrestigeX]

Its good to keep units in general vicinity -- I end up using it mostly with Archers and Missile troops - I don't like them to leave their position to shoot something. With Cavalry, it's useful in Siege Defenses where you want your Cav there to support , but don't want them ending up on the other side of the gate or ending up spaced-out from your infantry.

[Sitalkes]

I don't think I've ever used it, in the heat of battle I would forget to turn it off or on anyway. I think the idea of using it on archers etc is a good one, though.

[Lord Jake]

I don't think I've ever used it, in the heat of battle I would forget to turn it off or on anyway. I think the idea of using it on archers etc is a good one, though.

That is actually why I DO use it. In the heat of battle I don't want to have to be distracted by a unit of spearmen running after an enemy that is routing, only to end up having them cut down by other enemy forces far from the main battle. If I'm chasing down the enemy it will be with my cavalry most times, not a bunch of slow, single minded spearmen who aren't paying attention to what else is around them... As the others have stated, I also use it with my missile troops, along with turning off the skirmish mode, so that they stay where they are assigned and pour it into the enemy continuously instead of constantly shifting positions even when there is no real threat. I don't need them backing up when there is a wall of spears protecting them.

[Kaiser Nonsense]

That is actually why I DO use it. In the heat of battle I don't want to have to be distracted by a unit of spearmen running after an enemy that is routing, only to end up having them cut down by other enemy forces far from the main battle. If I'm chasing down the enemy it will be with my cavalry most times, not a bunch of slow, single minded spearmen who aren't paying attention to what else is around them... As the others have stated, I also use it with my missile troops, along with turning off the skirmish mode, so that they stay where they are assigned and pour it into the enemy continuously instead of constantly shifting positions even when there is no real threat. I don't need them backing up when there is a wall of spears protecting them.

Do you realise they fight defensively? You are being a noob if you use guard mode on the battlefield at all times.

[Kaiser Nonsense]

I never thought about using on bowmen, as for infantry I usually use because they not only don't chase enemies, they also hold their line more tightly, fight defensively, therefore rendering a more impenetrable men-wall, rendering me a more tough defence in siege battles, and harder the enemy advance into my city. I don't use on open field though. But it depends on the unit as well, I usually use it on spearmen and pikemen rather than dismounted knights for instance.

[Dude with the Food]

If the enemy has been hit by missiles or something to break up their charge I do. Mainly because their men end up eerywhere so keeping mine together means I can kill them individually. I sometimes use it on cavalry because whenever I tell mine to attack, they tighten into a thin column 4-6 men accross and I have no idea why. Almost as useless as wedge formation.

[poisoned goat]

Guard mode is bad on melee troops, unless you're using pike/halberd walls at a choke point. Guard mode units won't advance to surround and gang up on the opponent even if they're 10cm out of range. Any advantages gained from ganging up on an opponent is lost when using guard mode.

What guard mode is good at, is ensuring that your archers keep firing. Even if a single enemy soldier comes into contact with archers when guard mode is disabled, the whole archer unit stops shooting and goes to attack the unit. With guard mode enabled, the archers that are not engaged in melee combat will continue shooting. Under most circumstances, archers are better at ranged combat compared to melee...

[Dude with the Food]

When you move through the enemy and a few of their men get caught in your lines, they get killed quickly without your own troops attacking the enemy main line.