The basic outiline/model for the roman battle formation that works best for me is:
-3 Velites (or other javelin chuckers) in the first row grouped in single line formation (CTRL+1)
-4 Hastati in the second row grouped in single line formation (CTRL+2)
-4 Principei in the third row grouped in single line formation (CTRL+3)
-4 Triarii in the fourth row grouped in single line formation (CTRL+4)
- 2 units of Equites or other non-missile cavalry. Place one on each flank at the front.
- 2 units Onagers or Heavy Onagers for artillery (heavy onagers are all the siege gear you'll ever need) to be kept in the back of the formation. (CTRL+5)
- Place your General's unit directly behind the main body of the formation and try to keep him around that area. (The General has special abilities that affect your troops or your enemies troops. From that rear position, almost your entire army will be within, or a quick gallop away, to the effective range of these abilities) The Generals are too valuable to lose because of this, not to mention the huge hit to morale that every one of your units on the field takes when you get your general killed.
*(yeah I said you killed him, and it WAS definitely your fault, you sent him to engage that single group of missile troops, thinking ,"definitely a safe assignment" as you focus on some other troops for what seemed like only a few seconds but when you return you find your leader impaled like a sheesh-ka-bob by a group of spearmen which seemed to come out of nowhere)
Other Notes:
- I tend to turn off the skirmisher mode for my Velite's and run them away myself when the enemy infantry attacks. (the computer runs too early)
- Stretch out the row of Principei's until they are in a long line that is 3 men deep.
- Using the Principei line as a guide for line length stretch out the Triarii, Hastati, and Velite lines to match the length of the Principei line.
- Make sure you are putting your most experienced troops at the flanks or in a row of 5 at positions 1,3,and 5. Placing the lesser experienced troops in the 2 and 4 slots.
- 1 2 3 4 5
strong, weak, strong, weak, strong
-If you plan to move your onagers after the battle begins place them at the very front (don't worry they are painfully slow and will quickly fall behind everyone else.
- The one thing I am certain about in this game is that MERCENARY TROOPS are invaluable at times and can really come in handy in a tight spot. However,"CAVIAT EMPTOR" which is latin for "BUYER BEWARE", hire MERCENARY TROOPS ONLY IMMEDIATELY BEFORE YOU USE THEM AND IN BATTLE MAKE SURE TO USE THEM 1ST AND FOREMOST, because immediately after battle it is wise to then DISBAND ANY MERCENARY UNITS THAT YOU HAVE LEFT. Do this because they're monthly upkeep cost is staggering (you pay them every turn their original hire cost) Therefore, keeping any mercs on the payroll eat your income FAST! If you hired some for crucial immediate defense, make sure to make other arrangements as quickly as you can in order to get these get these money suckers out of your coffers.
Like I said: this is abasic model for my battle formations. You will have to improvise and the troops i mentioned are certainly interchangeable. The key concept to concentrate on is to put troops up front that are easily replaceable and aren't that concerned about losing, and back 'em up with better troops that aren't as easily replenished. You can cut down the proportions of this model and still keep the same basic idea.
-Ex: using two types of infantry instead of three, arranged in 2 rows of 4 units. Or, one i use often is, two types of infantry in 2 rows of 6. At the beginning, with limited choice of units I often line up 6-8 Hastati and use only one row for infantry. (TIP: don't stretch the line and thin the ranks so much when using only 1 row).
-Anyway, have fun with it, and I hope this helps at least one person.
-3 Velites (or other javelin chuckers) in the first row grouped in single line formation (CTRL+1)
-4 Hastati in the second row grouped in single line formation (CTRL+2)
-4 Principei in the third row grouped in single line formation (CTRL+3)
-4 Triarii in the fourth row grouped in single line formation (CTRL+4)
- 2 units of Equites or other non-missile cavalry. Place one on each flank at the front.
- 2 units Onagers or Heavy Onagers for artillery (heavy onagers are all the siege gear you'll ever need) to be kept in the back of the formation. (CTRL+5)
- Place your General's unit directly behind the main body of the formation and try to keep him around that area. (The General has special abilities that affect your troops or your enemies troops. From that rear position, almost your entire army will be within, or a quick gallop away, to the effective range of these abilities) The Generals are too valuable to lose because of this, not to mention the huge hit to morale that every one of your units on the field takes when you get your general killed.
*(yeah I said you killed him, and it WAS definitely your fault, you sent him to engage that single group of missile troops, thinking ,"definitely a safe assignment" as you focus on some other troops for what seemed like only a few seconds but when you return you find your leader impaled like a sheesh-ka-bob by a group of spearmen which seemed to come out of nowhere)
Other Notes:
- I tend to turn off the skirmisher mode for my Velite's and run them away myself when the enemy infantry attacks. (the computer runs too early)
- Stretch out the row of Principei's until they are in a long line that is 3 men deep.
- Using the Principei line as a guide for line length stretch out the Triarii, Hastati, and Velite lines to match the length of the Principei line.
- Make sure you are putting your most experienced troops at the flanks or in a row of 5 at positions 1,3,and 5. Placing the lesser experienced troops in the 2 and 4 slots.
- 1 2 3 4 5
strong, weak, strong, weak, strong
-If you plan to move your onagers after the battle begins place them at the very front (don't worry they are painfully slow and will quickly fall behind everyone else.
- The one thing I am certain about in this game is that MERCENARY TROOPS are invaluable at times and can really come in handy in a tight spot. However,"
Like I said: this is a
-Ex: using two types of infantry instead of three, arranged in 2 rows of 4 units. Or, one i use often is, two types of infantry in 2 rows of 6. At the beginning, with limited choice of units I often line up 6-8 Hastati and use only one row for infantry. (TIP: don't stretch the line and thin the ranks so much when using only 1 row).
-Anyway, have fun with it, and I hope this helps at least one person.