For your actual force make-up and OOB, could you not field some light infantry types, with javelin/slingers/bow skirmishers out to the front, then have them pull back through the gaps between the phalanx?
Maybe try a 2 rank deep checker-board OOB...gives phalanx in both lines some maneuverability options, whilst allowing flanks to be protected and a battle line could be formed relatively quickly if necessary. Used the skirmishers to plug the gaps in the front rank to keep up fire as the enemy close.
I'd probably keep my elephant contingent away/separate from the cavalry, as they're more useful against infantry aren't they? Either send them up the middle to soften their line before the phalanx go in...you never know, they might not stampede back the way they came....or have them on the inner edges of the flanks and diagonally converge them into the enemy line at your chosen target point. Either way, they've got to 'deal with them' while your line goes in hopefully unmolested
Phigting with Phalanxes
Re: Phigting with Phalanxes
Some good suggestions. The army list allows 8 bases of archers + javelin men & slingers- so I have a total of 18 bases of skirmishers. Although not the quality of the Roman Velites, they outmatch them in numbers. I like your idea to slow up the enemy infantry in the centre by using them.
I'll have 3 heavy cavalry units which I think should go on one wing. They'll be the schwerpunkt, of course.
I've had nothing but disappointment with Cartho Nellies so I was thinking of sticking the Pyrrhic ones (+ some Light Horse) on the other flank. Enemy horses don't like the smell of them & in proximity, lose cohesion .
There's also some medium infantry (Italian Allies & Thureophori) who can occupy any poor terrain, if necessary, or be a reserve when....sorry if my line fractures. That's it. Simple (like me) so there's less chance of a stuff-up.
donald
I brush on primer rather than spray. Quirky, but there you are.
I'll have 3 heavy cavalry units which I think should go on one wing. They'll be the schwerpunkt, of course.
I've had nothing but disappointment with Cartho Nellies so I was thinking of sticking the Pyrrhic ones (+ some Light Horse) on the other flank. Enemy horses don't like the smell of them & in proximity, lose cohesion .
There's also some medium infantry (Italian Allies & Thureophori) who can occupy any poor terrain, if necessary, or be a reserve when....sorry if my line fractures. That's it. Simple (like me) so there's less chance of a stuff-up.
donald
I brush on primer rather than spray. Quirky, but there you are.
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- Grizzly Madam
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Re: Phigting with Phalanxes
One thing I have found with macedonians, is aggressive play pays. Being adaptable or ferocious like romans and gauls is fine but not if a sledge hammer is coming straight at you.
You do not have the numbers to do a Hannibal and draw them in.
You do not have the numbers to do a Hannibal and draw them in.
Re: Phigting with Phalanxes
I've been thinking - always dangerous & possibly hazardous to my health.
What actual use is a pike & why have 16 files to deliver it?
4-6 metres seems like the worst example of over=compensation to be found outside a Bettina Arndt book.
Is the whole point psychological? Masses of troops wielding huge pointy things to scare the opposition?
Please excuse this post.
I've just finished my first pike-block of 36 figures in 3 ranks....to discover I've mis-read the rules & I need 4 (four!!) ranks or another 12 bleeding figures.
donald
What actual use is a pike & why have 16 files to deliver it?
4-6 metres seems like the worst example of over=compensation to be found outside a Bettina Arndt book.
Is the whole point psychological? Masses of troops wielding huge pointy things to scare the opposition?
Please excuse this post.
I've just finished my first pike-block of 36 figures in 3 ranks....to discover I've mis-read the rules & I need 4 (four!!) ranks or another 12 bleeding figures.
donald
Re: Phigting with Phalanxes
Surely it's about weight in the pack on impact?? Think of the press of men (not quite in the way Jeremy and HMS Priapus like a press of men), but more like a rugby scrum.
Reckon that's why the 4 ranks deep in a game work, to show this strong relative depth vs other units
Reckon that's why the 4 ranks deep in a game work, to show this strong relative depth vs other units
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- Grizzly Madam
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Re: Phigting with Phalanxes
Same reason napoleon's and others infernal columns of Grenadiers worked, the relentless battering ram of a lot of men hitting your line in one place.ochoin wrote: ↑Sun May 23, 2021 10:11 am I've been thinking - always dangerous & possibly hazardous to my health.
What actual use is a pike & why have 16 files to deliver it?
4-6 metres seems like the worst example of over=compensation to be found outside a Bettina Arndt book.
Is the whole point psychological? Masses of troops wielding huge pointy things to scare the opposition?
Please excuse this post.
I've just finished my first pike-block of 36 figures in 3 ranks....to discover I've mis-read the rules & I need 4 (four!!) ranks or another 12 bleeding figures.
donald
It is as much psycological as anything.
A man in America did a 1:1 phalanx in 6mm figures, and sheesh it looked scary as hell!
Re: Phigting with Phalanxes
Actually pushing? That's still up for debate.Jamanicus wrote: ↑Sun May 23, 2021 10:48 am Surely it's about weight in the pack on impact?? Think of the press of men (not quite in the way Jeremy and HMS Priapus like a press of men), but more like a rugby scrum.
Reckon that's why the 4 ranks deep in a game work, to show this strong relative depth vs other units
https://sites.psu.edu/thehopliteexperie ... -othismos/
donald
Re: Phigting with Phalanxes
It was never about pushing. The length of the pike pushed forward and outward at various angles. It was about providing a wall of spear points going from horizontal to vertical. The vertical ones would break up arrow fire. To achieve this you need depth. To the front you had receding rows of spear points.
Last edited by Jeremy on Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Grizzly Madam
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Re: Phigting with Phalanxes
also you are stood there with 4 mates behind your ralising that is still something like 6 speartips each coming for you....