Polybian (mid-Republic) Roman infantry tactics

[Shahbahraz]

I just thing you need to be careful about using terminology like 'barbarian hordes' it was a common trope in Greek and Latin literature and wasn't necessarily sustaining our modern interpretation. Lots of foreigners. Remember the same term was used to describe Sasanian Persians when we know from other sources they could be uniformed and equipped from central depots and trained in military schools before posting to forts across the Empire.

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

The tactics that work against Greenpeace wouldn't necessarily work at Alesia.

Well, in fairness, I don't think many sets of Ancient rules - not even "Infamy x2" - attempt to simulate vollies of used tampons.

[grizzlymc]

I think one good parallel is the dynamic of stabbing V swinging weapons. Well disciplined cops can always win stabbing with batons, with more men per frontage, whilst letting swings bounce off the shield. I've never seen a baton charge fail to scatter the hard men. Which is why they put a few ranks of women and children in front. They only move up past them when dynamite or molotovs create a breach in the shield wall. Disciplined riot squadslet the second rank push the bloke on fire or injured by dynamite out of the way. Again, drill. With undisciplined men, the front rank guy retreats, disordering the second rank people, and creating a breach which allows the hard men to mob the flankers of the man on fire.

[grizzlymc]

The tactics that work against Greenpeace wouldn't necessarily work at Alesia.

Well, in fairness, I don't think many sets of Ancient rules - not even "Infamy x2" - attempt to simulate vollies of used tampons.

There is a big difference between a few furries gluing their tits to the road and some unemployed ex terrorists intent on killing and looting. I suspect that most South American riot squads could teach First world cops a thing or two.