Why new Pila system makes sense

[TheRomanRuler]

I have never heard battle where Romans just sit on their ground, EVERY single time, they ALWAYS made last minute charge, throwing their pilas. And what we do in this game? Exactly that, last minute charge. This makes people use realistic tactics, so it makes sense CA did this. You wanted historical accuracy, you got it. Tough i agree its not good to force people do something.EDIT for CA: Why can`t we have "fire at will" button, when it is turned on your units throw Pila when they are at range, or when they charge towards enemy, when it is turned off they never throw them, not even while charging.

[wulfgar610]

They actually threw the pila before they charged. They threw the pila in open order, after that they had to close up.

[Haikka]

But still the charge system in this game breaks the formation, unit spread out and the line twists. Doesn't look good thats why i dont like it besides you cant use a second line of troops to throw javelins in to the enemy

[Reggum]

You don't get to choice to fire them your self or not fire them. You suffer friendly fire if you already have a unit engaged on the enemy

[Neverpleased]

Yes because the Romans were known for telling their soldiers to throw those pila whenever they liked. They especially liked it if they threw those DURING the charges, not before the charges and preferably into the backs of already engaged allies. It's kind of an inside joke with the Romans, they call it Porcupine Palls, if it was your birthday you get a pilum in the back.Come on bro! There is NO way you can even remotely try and justify this system, where they break formation to throw crap, where you have no control over when they throw it and they literally adhere to not a single known Roman tactic. Yeah that makes total sense if you want a piece of arcade style battle system.However I thought I bought a Total War game, oh wait this is clearly a knock off, they switched the names around. Should have gotten the one that said Rome 2: Total War.

[TheRomanRuler]

If you run and order your men to charge, i think they don`t throw Pilas, if you walk they throw i think... So you can choose to throw pila or not, tough it is very system. And things like breaking formation were expected from CA, but with good mod i think this game can become best Total War ever made. Not sure yet, reasons i cannot judge game yet:-1 day from release-Patches are still coming and game is still getting fixes-I have only played it 9 hours (steam says 9 hours, but i realised my internet cable was not connected 3 hours or so so total time is 12 hours)

[Ariovist]

Sure, the Romans charged in Formation...
Perhaps you could enlighten us more.


Normally they advanced in formation or held their ground while throwing their pila at the charging enemies, who decimated by the javelins were stopped by the solid shields of the romans.
As far as i know, the romans charged not senseless fortward, throwing their pila in the back of their allies.

[Matte]

Sure, the Romans charged in Formation...Perhaps you could enlighten us more.Normally they advanced in formation or held their ground while throwing their pila at the charging enemies, who decimated by the javelins were stopped by the solid shields of the romans.As far as i know, the romans charged not senseless fortward, throwing their pila in the back of their allies.

The pila was designed to hit the enemy shields and get stuck in them making them unusable aswell as obviously softening up the enemy, not to decimate them.

[Mimoxx]

I think rtw1 system for pilla was much better ! i want to hold firm and the line and trow the pila !! i want my second line to use there pila also and not to engage in melee!!!!

I think in rome 2 they coud add using pilla on movement but keep the hold option also , doesnt make any sense they remove the option!!!! Peltast can use it without moving why cannot the legionnaires!!!

[SonOfCrusader76]

I think rtw1 system for pilla was much better ! i want to hold firm and the line and trow the pila !! i want my second line to use there pila also and not to engage in melee!!!!

I think in rome 2 they coud add using pilla on movement but keep the hold option also , doesnt make any sense they remove the option!!!! Peltast can use it without moving why cannot the legionnaires!!!

Spot on. Amen! The way it worked in Rome TW was 100 times better. It looked better (you saw this evil looking cloud of spears fly towards the enemy just before the troops charged), it sounded better (nice deep 'WOOOOSH' sound) and it allowed for more tactical options. Now it looks rubbish, sounds rubbish and limits your options. What makes it worse is the fact they often wait until point blank range before throwing them. Nonsense, CA. No way in hell did Romans throw their pilae on the move like that. It doesn't make common sense and it doesn't make military sense. You've really dropped the ball on this one I'm afraid. Game's good overall, but this aspect is pure tripe. There's no satisfaction in using Roman infantry - in a game called 'Rome 2 Total War'....

[Ariovist]

The pila was designed to hit the enemy shields and get stuck in them making them unusable aswell as obviously softening up the enemy, not to decimate them.

Well, the losses for the enemy were a nice side aspect.

[Ariovist]

Sure, the Romans charged in Formation...
Perhaps you could enlighten us more.


Normally they advanced in formation or held their ground while throwing their pila at the charging enemies, who decimated by the javelins were stopped by the solid shields of the romans.
As far as i know, the romans charged not senseless fortward, throwing their pila in the back of their allies.

[sobchack]

Hold pila fire should be in game

[MrHenry]

The pila was armor-piercing, so it rendered the shield useless and sometimes hit the enemy too. Although i haven't played the game yet, it seems that there should be a hold pila order most certainly

[Duncan III]

The primary role of a pilum is to incapacitate the enemy- the sticking in shield bit is secondary but still important. Of course the general can tell his men to hold fire with pila- he can also tell his men to hold steady and fire when the enemy comes in range. Throwing pila on the run is the least likely scenario, funny that CA forced that upon the player, it's so obviously wrong how could they possibly have thought this was okay? It's mind boggling.

[Mimoxx]

Its stupid , i cant use my 2nd pilum like this !!!! and this concept is damn wrong !!! can imagine trying to trow a pila and keep holding a big shield while running and in formation!!! how abou aiming lol

[Ahiga]

For those of you upset with the newer system, remember that as soon as we can modify the DB files we will be able to change this back to the earlier system. All you'll have to do is switch Legionaries and the like to the ranged stats/system peltasts and the like use while omitting the skirmish capacity. I may be wrong, but I am fairly sure that this will be possible - in the previous total wars throwing a weapon (or having a firearm at all which let you 'fire at will') was separate from the skirmish function.

I don't really mind the new system too much - I like that it gives javelins to a far greater array of troops, though I do wish you could throw them when receiving a charge.

[Ariovist]

For those of you upset with the newer system, remember that as soon as we can modify the DB files we will be able to change this back to the earlier system. All you'll have to do is switch Legionaries and the like to the ranged stats/system peltasts and the like use while omitting the skirmish capacity. I may be wrong, but I am fairly sure that this will be possible - in the previous total wars throwing a weapon (or having a firearm at all which let you 'fire at will') was separate from the skirmish function.

I don't really mind the new system too much - I like that it gives javelins to a far greater array of troops, though I do wish you could throw them when receiving a charge.

I have the highest respect for modders, but to be honest i ask the question why CA "fixed" things that worked???

The Romans for example can defensive forts with barricades on the battlefield, sadly while putting your Hastati, or later Legionaires behind them, you'll be forced to charge the enemy to be able to throw their pila.
Which mastermind from CA made this design choice?

We can only hope for some mods...

[Ariovist]

For those of you upset with the newer system, remember that as soon as we can modify the DB files we will be able to change this back to the earlier system. All you'll have to do is switch Legionaries and the like to the ranged stats/system peltasts and the like use while omitting the skirmish capacity. I may be wrong, but I am fairly sure that this will be possible - in the previous total wars throwing a weapon (or having a firearm at all which let you 'fire at will') was separate from the skirmish function.

I don't really mind the new system too much - I like that it gives javelins to a far greater array of troops, though I do wish you could throw them when receiving a charge.

I have the highest respect for modders, but to be honest i ask the question why CA "fixed" things that worked???

The Romans for example can defensive forts with barricades on the battlefield, sadly while putting your Hastati, or later Legionaires behind them, you'll be forced to charge the enemy to be able to throw their pila.
Which mastermind from CA made this design choice?

We can only hope for some mods...

[Modestus]

I have the highest respect for modders, but to be honest i ask the question why CA "fixed" things that worked???

The Romans for example can defensive forts with barricades on the battlefield, sadly while putting your Hastati, or later Legionaires behind them, you'll be forced to charge the enemy to be able to throw their pila.
Which mastermind from CA made this design choice?

We can only hope for some mods...

My God your right so obviously no infantry on walls will throw their spears at an approaching enemy force unless they jump off the walls as well, mind blowing stuff.