Is this a bug (battle stats)?

[rjacko10]

NOT A BUG. CONFIRMED PHALANX FORMATION BOOST

I'm fairly early game playing as Pontos. Sardes is attacking me and fields many units with the English name "Militia Hoplites". Fair enough. However their stats in battle have massive bonuses, particularly melee defence and deadliness, see image.

I don't know where these bonuses are coming from. They are not present on the unit card in the campaign map and the enemy general doesn't have any super perks which explains them. I play on VH (campaign) / N (battle) with submods: English names and reduced army movement points on campaign map.

As you can imagine these units are ROCK solid, I'm having a very tough time playing against them.

[Butan]

Its because of the hoplite phalanx formation, the button in the bottom left.
Most hoplites have it (for obvious reasons) and it makes them very durable and stronger, but very sensible to flanking and very slow.

[KAM 2150]

They are super easy to beat with flanking.

[rjacko10]

Ah thanks! Right then, flanking was fairly difficult as I was out numbered 2 to 1 with inferior units. Heavy losses

[Aethyr]

My experience is that flanking with melee troops (even cavalry) isn't nearly as effective as with skirmishers. I've seen (admittedly more elite) units in phalanx formation holding out for very, very long while they were completely surrounded with Principes. Multiple charges with cavalry will start resulting in heavy cavalry losses, so that's not a sustainable option.

My current tactic with hoplite formations is fixing all hostile melee units in place with infantry, taking out their ranged troops with cavalry, and then flanking the hoplite formations with skirmishers. Pila in their backs do wonders.

I find that using my flanking force the same way I do cavalry I am far more effective, as they inflict far more casualties and apply the shock repeatedly.

Leaving them on a enemies flank for a sustained time can work against inferior troops but for the elite and hard to remove, try the above.

[KAM 2150]

Yeah, battles can be a challange now

[rjacko10]

I know - it's frustratingly welcome

My campaign has been on a knife's edge more than once.

A constant juggling act between PO+food, economy and army. Just as you solve one, another problem springs up.

[Maegfaer]

My experience is that flanking with melee troops (even cavalry) isn't nearly as effective as with skirmishers. I've seen (admittedly more elite) units in phalanx formation holding out for very, very long while they were completely surrounded with Principes. Multiple charges with cavalry will start resulting in heavy cavalry losses, so that's not a sustainable option.

My current tactic with hoplite formations is fixing all hostile melee units in place with infantry, taking out their ranged troops with cavalry, and then flanking the hoplite formations with skirmishers. Pila in their backs do wonders.