Using Roman Infantry

[CaptainBirdseye]

Hi all,
I am trying to create the "meat grinder" tactics the Romans were famous for using.
At the moment I have a line of auxiliary infantry forming the front line. Behind them I have my standard Legionaries. Behind them I have my Eagle Cohort or other high status soldiers.

I use my auxiliary to take the first impact after skirmishing. Once the enemy has charged, engaged and killed approximately 1/3rd of my auxiliaries, I bring my Legionaries forward into the fray, once they are there I drop my auxiliaries behind my final line of Eagle Cohort. Once my Legionaries have given a good fight, I do the same again and bring my Eagle Cohort to smash the now hopefully demoralised enemy and throw my Legionaries to the back of the queue.


Is this about correct? The only thing I struggle with is if the enemy have things like Onagers which can throw missiles from afar. I can't even get my cavalry to take them out as usually a handy brigade of spearmen will protect them.


Ideas & opinions please!!

[Yadz]

i just want to share to you my tactic.anyway,in your tactic,the problem is the casualties you get with disengagement,w.c will be usually heavy. Mine,in terms of infantry,i usually have 6 hastati,4 principes,3 triarii. Hastati are grouped by 2,3 groups. Principes by 2 units while triari as one unit.after skirmishes of light infantry, infantry melees usually are the next to engage right? What i do is,hastati charges the enemy,by 2 units,3 groups. Then at the 2nd line,1 group of 2 units principes move to the left flank,and the other group to the right.both moves forward beyond line of encounter. A unit of each group attacks any light infantry or siege equipment at the back (or instead i use cav),then the other 2 units attack the rear of enemy center.. Triarii i placed them just behind the hastati (after principes moves to the flank) with their task of reinforcing any units wavering. The above way frees me from suffering too much from disengagement,tires enemy easily,and easily wavers enemy battle lines. Ive tried it many times already,and allows my legions to sustain continuous attack in campaign,on multiple stacks. Depth,infantry level and experience,effective use of range units e.g.velites must also be attained. The goal of this tactic is to use both strategy, roman infantry quality advantage, quantity to cause enemy lines to waver, decrease casualties,and maximize kills by chasing routers.