Running phalanx Info

[LodewijkP]

In fact, the classical greek Phalanx (wall of shields) did charge. Not as fast like a horde of barbarian warriors would, but with heavy impact. The later hellenistic Phalanx (wall of pikes, modelled in RTW) could not charge in a sense of "running", but in fact they also moved quite steady, and a moving Phalanx has more impact than a standing one. Imagine the weigt of hundreds of men with long pikes moving into your battle line step by step...

Actually the Greeks rushed At the enemy in loose formation and locked shields in front of the enemy, it was still a fast moving manouvre until they locked shield.

The Weakness of this tactic is that if the enemy feigns a attack, and they lock shields they are in a very bad position.

The Greeks adopted a Running phalanx They used Xystons or other shorter spears , alexanders army did they same but with another tactic

L = Running - = Space I = changes to phalanx mode ( suddenly stops and go phalanx)

( all From the same army )
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This formation is intended to drive into eachother giving extra momentum to the front

The whole Square is running and their front has dispatched to a second thin line mosly armed with sarrissa's ( long version )suddenly stops running and go phalanx in front of the enemy , when the enemy has engaged them the ''L'' runs in their own Line Giving ''I''more power (momentum).

Another advantage is that you can go to whatever formation you need, without changing your front line to protect the moving soldiers, you see you turn to a formation in front of the enemy and not engage the enemy in formation from long distance , it has the element of surprise and speed.


This Is What alexander did At gaugamela
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Example they can go now wedge , daimond etc ( while front protects )

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if you configure a whole line in this you can Reinforce weak spots and hard pressed points like ceasar did etc. if they where about to flanked by cavalry they could turn the right to Repel cavalry While The left is advancing giving the mid and right more time to repel and react , giving the Theban configuration or oblique order ( look in my Theban formation post )

If you take a whole line you can easely change direction of a formed line, A line of wedges also gives the front troops a good morale because they know that their flanks are secured and their mates are ready to back them up . The enemy (line) see their guys engaging the enemy's point/ front while they are doing nothing, this will affect their morale in a negative manner.

[IXlegion]

i hate the phalanx get me every time so i just try and take the long route around them

[Leonidas999]

A good trick with the phalanx is to put them in loose formation, and take guard mode off, while taking them out of phalanx formation. You then charge them at the enemy and right before contact, put them back in tight form and phalanx form. This always devastates my opponents because my phalanx moves faster until the last minute.

[Aether]

yes running works and changing into phalanx at the last minute but still I get to many casualties to fight the persian armies all the time, they are with too many, I think alexanders difficulty is a slight higher then Barbarian Invasion lol

[mirliva]

Phalanxs are defensive units actually.if you try to charge your phalanxs in loose fomation,your opponent can easily surround your units(especially when you are outnumbered).And you lose the advantage of spear protection.ai can stand still while you run with your phalanx,but i think this does not work in multilplayer.Especially against the cavalry archers of Persia.

[Professor420]

It is important to remember the difference between real life and Rome: Total War. While yes, ancient phalanges may have charged, in RTW they are far superior in a controlled, slow moving battle line. Whatever history says, RTW says they are primarily defensive (or if on the offense, should be used 'defensively'). Their main purpose in RTW is to hold the enemy in place while cavalry or infantry flank the enemy. In ancient times such tactics were not as widely used, the phalanx battled the phalanx and that was it mainly.

[Severous]

A screenshot of a running Phalanx....German Spearband in this case



They were running (out of phalanx mode) and being fresh caught up with the retreating exhausted Gaul. The low morale Gaul broke instantly and all died soon after.

I believe the unit automatically chose swords. The troops at the rear of the same unit still have the spear weapon showing.