Shield wall. Why is it included?

[GingerNinja]

I did a test in custom battle. One unit of Norwegian Hirdmen, vs two units of Jerusalite knights. I set my Hird to the famed unbeatable viking shieldwall. Historically, this made viking troops superior in an infantry on infantry fight. In this custom battle though? Nope.

The other guy didn't even have to move his second troop, the one containing the General. His first charge wasn't the most effective, but after a while, all my guys were dead. His one unit had half his troops killed. So the Shieldwall didn't make me superior. But hey, they were knights. Maybe my troops were just worse.

Okay, I fought the battle again, this time charging. I slaughtered them. Both of the units.

My question is: If the shieldwall ability doesn't do any good, what so ever, why was it included in this mod?

[rb9o]

I'd be interested to know what the schiltrom and shieldwall abilities actually do in the game's engine. As for a plausible explanation, I have noticed that defensive formations don't do so great at offense. They do, however, die at a much slower rate. Your turtling troops are there to pin the enemy while you flank with another unit, preferably cavalry. If you intend to use a unit to attack, then attack. Also, don't believe anything anyone says about some tactic or weapon from history being, like, so totally 1337, unless a really good explanation is given that doesn't involve appeals to popular notions reinforced by movies. Two great examples, bodkin arrows and katanas. Both have hordes of fanboys, and about 80% of what is said about them is total BS.

[gsthoed]

My question is: If the shieldwall ability doesn't do any good, what so ever, why was it included in this mod?

In certain circumstances, shield wall is beneficial. There are plenty threads for this topic in which you can find when and how to employ this tactic

[Judeman266]

As rb9o said, in M2TW the shield wall is there to hold the enemy while you bring another unit around to attack their flank.