Quincunx and other formations usefulness

**PROMETHEUS ts** · May 12, 2013, 03:17 PM

The Roman cool quincunx formation of the army , had some reason on battlefield , like rapid exhange in lines etc , but .... ingame of TW is just useless as most of other formation types ...

the only working one is the usual line of units with wings of cavalry , making exception for some spam armies ...

So do you think that this time actual army formations will have any real use in game?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndh3b9wC-A0

**~~John ''True Grit'' Wayne~~** · May 12, 2013, 03:21 PM

So do you think that this time actual army formations will have any real use in game?

Maybe the same ones we saw in Rome 1.

**Sharpe** · May 12, 2013, 03:23 PM

I think inventing your own formations is a lot more effective. Trying to force historically accurate formations into the game just causes unnecessary casualties.

**|Sith|Galvanized Iron** · May 12, 2013, 03:23 PM

More like infantry in front and cavalry behind, placing them on the wings would just goad the AI into sending all their spearmen after them.

**PROMETHEUS ts** · May 12, 2013, 03:24 PM

also the problem is that usually cavalry can pass thorught infantry without problems ... not sure if in reality it was like so but I guess it woudl breakl any formation .
anyway is the way it works now in TW games.

**Centurion Marcus Avitus** · May 12, 2013, 03:25 PM

LOL, Quincunx. I think it is more effective (as Sharpe said) just to make your own formations. Much more fun, creative and probably effective depending on the player.

**~~John ''True Grit'' Wayne~~** · May 12, 2013, 03:31 PM

I like the wedgie formation,And the horse shoe trap used by Hannibal.

**torongill** · May 12, 2013, 03:34 PM

You don't really need the actual checkers formation to simulate it. Due to the limitations of the engine you can exchange the lines without any real problems. Will the formation be useful? I think so, because as Jack explained morale plays a huge part in the battle - the well-timed exchange of units will possibly cause a massive drop in morale of the enemy. Tire them out, change the lines and combine that with a flanking maneuver from the cavalry and maybe rout one unit by hitting it from two sides - the effects could be devastating.

**DeadlyPhoenix** · May 12, 2013, 04:53 PM

I've never used the ingame formations, I put my men in the order I want them to be and if that so happens to coincide with existing formations then well, what a coincidence. I don't need some button to do it for me, especially considering grouping your units and giving them orders tended to have them run into all directions EXCEPT the one you told them to. So yeah - no but thanks for the new word of the day. Quincunx - very interesting, hope you don't mind if I forget about this?

**MathiasOfAthens** · May 12, 2013, 05:35 PM

I always hated how I have my men in formations but the enemy just runs around me and makes me split my forces. ****ing :wub:s.

**PROMETHEUS ts** · May 13, 2013, 05:43 AM

The ingame formation shoudl also be paired with smart manouvers that are automated perhaps , so that you could spend even some time in a tactical planning war room where you could setup your formation and the automatic orders that your units should follow unless told otherwise in case of events happening ...

like for example imagine that you have a chart were to plan the battleformation and the orders , where if a unit routs then you can order the other back units to fill in the gap , or you coul dmake simulations and perhaps plan how to make ur units react ad different conditions like for example if a enemy cavalry approaches from a side etc ...

**~~John ''True Grit'' Wayne~~** · May 13, 2013, 05:44 AM

I would imagine that would create bugs though.

**PROMETHEUS ts** · May 13, 2013, 05:56 AM

What doesn't?

**~~John ''True Grit'' Wayne~~** · May 13, 2013, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by PROMETHEUS ts

What doesn't?

Bug Repellent.

I like the shieltrom formation in one of the games I hope we see it used.

**Durnaug** · May 13, 2013, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by PROMETHEUS ts

The Roman cool quincunx formation of the army , had some reason on battlefield , like rapid exhange in lines etc , but .... ingame of TW is just useless as most of other formation types ...

the only working one is the usual line of units with wings of cavalry , making exception for some spam armies ...

So do you think that this time actual army formations will have any real use in game?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndh3b9wC-A0

Many moons ago I read a very informed post that suggested this formation was a myth or a misinterpretation of a source. That it at least was not a regular formation. I don't want a flame war just asking if anyone else is aware of this viewpoint?