You are unlikely to find many strategic uses of tactical units on the battlefield....
A useful offensive TACTIC with phalanxes is to combine them with ballistas, open up holes in wooden defenses and sit either side of the holes with phalanx units in non phalanx mode. Goad out the defenders with skirmishers, and as the defenders come through the hole, 'Phalanx On' and watch them die like flies. A very good tactic if you are heavily outnumbered and beseigeing.
Similarly, set phalanxes in 'Off' and place in front of them a thin line of skirmishers to draw enemy cavalry towards the phalanx. As the cavalry get close, retreat through the phalanx with the skirmishers and phalanx 'ON' at the last moment... and then throw the skirmishers back in.... a cavalry slaughter.
In woods, same tactic, but keep Phalanxes on 'Off' AND on 'Defend', this keeps them hidden and immobile. Use the skirmishers for bait as before.
The main tactic with phalanxes is to keep them in Non phalanx mode until the last second of battle, as otherwise they just scare the enemy away.
I find its vital to use phalanxes as offensively as possible otherwise they do not get the kills necessary to become veteran units.
Pax Romana.. Pax Britannia.. Pax Americana..INTERREGNUM RHOOPSIUM[This message has been edited by rhoops (edited 01-13-2006 @ 11:34 AM).]