Spikes in the ground.

**SnArF|D** · October 07, 2006, 01:54 PM

How would one go about useing these for a battle? In some of the screenshots and videos you can see big sharp wooden spikes sticking out of the ground facing the direction of the enemy. We all know its to stop calvary from charging your line as well as hinder infantrys performance.

But I still havent seen or heard how you get them to a battle field? Is it a unit you need to recruit that will build them on the battlefield?

**Coor Blimey** · October 07, 2006, 02:02 PM

AS far as I can tell I think it is a unique thing for the English Longbowmen, like a special prebattle ability or something.

Although can't use my 100% rubber stamp on that but I think that is how they come about.

**SnArF|D** · October 07, 2006, 02:03 PM

Perhaps the spikes are auto deployed where-ever the archers are. Makes sense.

**Swe_gamer** · October 07, 2006, 02:15 PM

Think they are deployed before battle. Someone said that longbowmen had fire arrows as special ability when in game. Only one slot for special ability.

**SnArF|D** · October 07, 2006, 02:31 PM

Another possible idea I have for them is there actually an upgrade for the unit. Something you would attain with a high level blacksmith. You would get the spikes along with the weapon and armor upgrades.

Or they may only be available to specific archers in specific nations.

So many possibilities

**Korinthos Hoplites** · October 07, 2006, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by SnArF|D

Another possible idea I have for them is there actually an upgrade for the unit. Something you would attain with a high level blacksmith. You would get the spikes along with the weapon and armor upgrades.

Quite possible...

They would be deployed wherever your archers were at the end of the deployment phase and then would remain there, acting as a barrier

**GVP** · October 07, 2006, 02:47 PM

I think they will be set before the battle and would only be used in a defensive battle. Since we're talking about spikes, do you think cavalry could actually charge into them, have some loses and fight the archers or would they automaticly go around? :hmmm:

**SnArF|D** · October 07, 2006, 02:52 PM

I suppose some horses may refuse, while some may run right into them. But if the AI's good enough they'll simply go around, but it would give you time to get a unit in position to defend your archers.

**Fondor_Yards** · October 07, 2006, 05:34 PM

In the agincourt video on youtube the french charge a unit of knights into the spikes. The whole units is destroyed on impact basicly. Also the spikes dissappeared after that, since I don't remember seeing them and the infantry that charged the same spot had no problem fighting or moving. I'm not 100% sure about this thou, someone should watch and comfirm the last part.

**snuff** · October 07, 2006, 05:37 PM

In the demo they didn't charge into the spikes and I don't they were restricted to longbow, as they were in front of some other archers. Men charged through the front of them and horses came through the back and it just split the groups up, not really doing anything.

**Pre** · October 07, 2006, 09:36 PM

The differences people are mentioning could possibly be fixxed by patches coulden't they?

**U.A.T** · October 07, 2006, 09:54 PM

I don't know if it's about the longbowmen.
Maybe it's another sort of troop special ability. =/
Hmm... If they are deployed automaticly, it would be cool. Might mean that other things might appear with other sorts of troops.
For exemple: a hole with pointy stakes at the buttom. (Or is it bottum?) They were used before in my country's history and probably around Europe too. =3

**Pre** · October 07, 2006, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by U.A.T

I don't know if it's about the longbowmen.
Maybe it's another sort of troop special ability. =/
Hmm... If they are deployed automaticly, it would be cool. Might mean that other things might appear with other sorts of troops.
For exemple: a hole with pointy stakes at the buttom. (Or is it bottum?) They were used before in my country's history and probably around Europe too. =3

I believe you mean bottom, but I don't think thats the right word for it anyways, but I know what you mean.

**U.A.T** · October 07, 2006, 10:11 PM

Oh yes, bottom.
Well, anyway, it would be a good idea to set traps automaticly.

**Pre** · October 07, 2006, 10:14 PM

I would rather have it as a special ability.

Because I would like to able to move around my reseves, if there are a whole bunch of stakes in the ground, it would be harder for me to play effectively on the flanks. But thats just me.

**Inhuman One** · October 08, 2006, 05:54 AM

Well if we can place the stakes ourselves it could get very cool in a defensive battle. you could just place stakes at the front and the sides of archers and keep the back protected with the general. The general's bodyguard can handle quite a bit and if it looks like the enemy will send too much troops to fight the general's bodyguard you could always send more troops to defend there.

**El_Greco** · October 08, 2006, 05:59 AM

perhaps a unit?

men with stakes walking around in the battle and planting where you want.... 'stake-men' ? :tooth:

ok maybe stupid idea but still....