yiplong
Legionary
posted 11 November 2008 17:08 EDT (US)
I have read some conflicting reports on how to command phalanx. Some said I should disable "guard mode" others said I should keep it on. So what is the right way to use phalanx?
Hoppylyte
Legionary
posted 11 November 2008 19:03
EDT (US)
2 / 4
As Sub said always keep guard mode on otherwise the phalanx disintegrates and people just start to use their swords. There are 2 basic sorts of phalanxes, pikemen phalanxes and hoplite phalanxes. Pikemen include all phalanx units in Macedon, Pontus, and Selucia. They generally have 150% more men then hoplite phalanxes but in exchange have horrible missle def and can't fight with their swords at all. Hoplites are mainly greek units and carthaginian sacred band. They have shorter spears, much better missle def and higher end ones can sometimes fight roman infantry even ouside of a phalanx. The best trick IMO for moving around phalanxes is to take them out of a phalanx with guard mode on, double click the enemy you want to attack. Once they've started to hack away at the enemy troops then turn on phalanx and click again at the enemy unit. If done correctly then your unit will bring down spears and start poking away at the enemy troopies. Phalanxes are nearly unbeatable from in front, though will usually fall apart if flanked. Good luck using your phalanxes?
ShieldWall
Legionary
posted 12 November 2008 05:45
EDT (US)
4 / 4
I keep guard mode on for almost all of the time. The only exceptions are when a cavalry general has charged my phalanx and has got past the spear points. A phalanx cannot fight effectively with swords when the enemy is in amongst them and they'll take a lot of losses, but switch guard mode off in this situation and you'll notice that those horses start to fall an awful lot quicker. Basically switching guard mode off allows the men in the phalanx to break formation a little and do some free for all fighting. It's also very useful for flanking. Say a unit in phalanx and guard modes is under attack and you want to flank that attacking unit and charge it in the rear with another phalanx unit - if you leave guard mode on they will try to launch a mad and reckless charge whilst maintaining a neat and perfect formation..... obviously that can't work. But take them out of guard mode and they will be freed up to be more effective swordsmen.