How to defeat Hoplites with Roman troops?

[Jubala]

I've searched but I can't find a topic that covers this.

I play vanilla RTW with the latest DarthFormations and some minor vice/virtues/building bonus tweaks.

Whenever I fight the greeks their Hoplites just smash my poor Hastati/Principe main line. I shower them with arrows and javelins to thin them down and when I'm out of ammo I charge. The problem is that when my men smash into the Hoplites they take horrendous losses in no time and promptly routs. Even if I walk them into the enemy line by ordering them to move to a point behind the enemy line the result is the same. Weapon upgrades, experience and leadership are equal or in my favour. Any tips on how to fight a Hoplite or other Phalanx capable army without half your men dying on their spears?

[Vanquisher]

Don't run at the spears?

Seriously, just don't attack then from the front, their virtually invincible there. See my post in this thread for a guide of how to kill the beeps.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...82#post1172582

[Jubala]

Maybe I shouldn't wait until all my missiles are spent to attack their line, but rather advance to inside javelin range, loose one volley and then attack at once before they get a chance to reform around any losses? Get my swordsmen in the gaps of fallen spearmen. Worth a try at least.

[coffebean]

noooo, see the thing with the hoptile is that the spears are incredebly strong from the front. But sides and back they are incredbly weak. So While one unit hits them from the front your other unit runs around behind and hit them where they are weak.

[Ciaran S]

I´ve found the chessboard deployment very usefull when facing phalanxes. When the phalanx approaces in a single line, the gaps in the chessboard formation allow some units to move on while others meet resistance and the neat line gets broken up into tiny pieces.
As well, a good idea is charging a sacrificial unit (Hastati or mercenary barbarian spears are good for that) from a slight angle on a phalanx unit. The Phalanx will turn once engaged and present it´s vulnerable flanks and rear to your real killers, the Principes in the second battle line.

[Professor420]

My first campaign, Hoplites gave me many problems. But that was almost two years ago and I don't remember much...

However, Hoplites are one of the easiest units to defeat when playing the AI. If you need, just split your troops into two groups and spread them out. The idea is not, as others have suggested, to break the line or stick-and-flank, but to not engage them from the front at ALL!
If they go after one group, bring your other group into their rear. This works during attacking and defending (sometimes you can walk straight around a line of Hoplites!) Roman Infantry are incredibly strong, one on two in the rear and you'll have them. Once the Phalanx line is broken, have your targetted group run in and charge the engaged phalanges. Never run into a wall of spears from the front, at any cost, just keep backing up!
If they go after both groups, they'll have a massive hole in their line. Its REALLY easy to move one group ALL the way around their counterpart Hoplite group, and you can crush the isolated other Hoplite group
The only problem comes with they have alot of cavalry (often happens with Greece). Try bringing some Triarii or any other spearmen, otherwise, attack the cavalry head on and you can normally take them out. They are all excellent shock cavalry, but terrible melee cavalry. They are perfectly equipped to compliment a phalanx army. By going on the offensive, you reduce their shock ability, will almost always win, and it gives your infantry units the ability to move and maneuver with impunity once their cavalry is routed.