How do I order my Hastati to throw pila?

[Beaushizzle]

I can't figure it out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. What gives?

[MoistCake]

Why stand there and throw and lose a large Charge bonus.. :/ I see no sense... Counter charge them, and the spears being launched in front is a lovely bonus :P

[Mashsmouth]

I wish there was just a fire at will button, so I wasn't wasting my flank unit's pila on random militia troops.

[Varmint]

Originally posted by General_Eddy:

Why stand there and throw and lose a large Charge bonus.. :/ I see no sense... Counter charge them, and the spears being launched in front is a lovely bonus :P

This is a great idea - when you don't have to worry about holding lines with other units on superior defensive ground. This is why there is the concept of "receive the charge". Also, bracing especially with spears and shields should be an effective "counter to the charge".
Also, "historically", Pila were used defensively to disrupt enemy formations on their charge - adding the enemy soldier's own charge velocity to the Pila impact - and breaking their formations by causing them to stumble over each other and their shields.
It's obvious that there are many instances during a battle that a Pila throw would be appropriate - not just on the soldiers' own aggressive movements.

[Spec]

Originally posted by bcland12:

no i am no imbecile or 12 year old. i see an violation of the code of conduct thats all.

Do explain what has been violated in the "code of conduct", i'm just curious to know what you think Rigby did wrong in order to be reported.

[Daddy Shark]

They only carry a handful of pila with them, being as they have to carry sword, shield, and armor as well. They're not ranged units. If you make them charge 3 or 4 times, they won't have any left to use.

In short, it's exactly as it should be. Making them into "ranged" units is stupid.

[TOG | schießen]

Originally posted by JKflipflop:

They only carry a handful of pila with them, being as they have to carry sword, shield, and armor as well. They're not ranged units. If you make them charge 3 or 4 times, they won't have any left to use.

In short, it's exactly as it should be. Making them into "ranged" units is stupid.

yeah true but what i think he means is that when defending in formation and lets say they are bieng charged at and the enemy is within 20-30 yards then the roman hastati would thow them to disrupt/slow/hinder advancing enemy

[Loken]

Originally posted by Gefr.Weber PzL901:

Originally posted by JKflipflop:

They only carry a handful of pila with them, being as they have to carry sword, shield, and armor as well. They're not ranged units. If you make them charge 3 or 4 times, they won't have any left to use.

In short, it's exactly as it should be. Making them into "ranged" units is stupid.

yeah true but what i think he means is that when defending in formation and lets say they are bieng charged at and the enemy is within 20-30 yards then the roman hastati would thow them to disrupt/slow/hinder advancing enemy

This, i used to use it alot , it would reduce enemy numbers before impact and the attacking line would be fragmented. Its much needed in the campaign, the only reason i can see it not being in is MP balance. Sadly MP and campaign stats arent seperate

[MoistCake]

Just counter charge at the right time.. Same effect..

[Bjørn]

Yes like some others say here I find it more realistic in Rome 2 than in Rome 1. The pila were thrown during a charge at close range to disrupt enemy charges, not while they were standing still.

You have to time the charge correctly, and not be in any testudo or similar formation while charging, of course.

Many people underestimate the power of a charge, but it was crucial, historically.

[Mashsmouth]

...and that's why I loved the alt button in Rome 1...

[SuperGorp]

Originally posted by Who Goes Thar:

...and that's why I loved the alt button in Rome 1...

I still do that on Rome 2 out of habit.

[arealhumanbean]

No fire at will for melee infantry in this game. Budget was spent I guess. You'll have to settle for charge throwing micro-management or find a mod, if there is one.

It's beyond me why they couldn't implement a short range fire at will for all applicable units, if only so they could be used defensively as an alternative to just standing there taking an enemy volley to the face.

I'm quite surprised that there are actually people here trying to defend the lack of fire-at-will for pilum/javelin armed melee infanty. "They didn't do that historically" is such a sore argument in a game where all skirmishers have spontaneously flaming javelins and arrows, torches that can burn down metal gates, and where the common soldiery can't spread out into a loose formation unless they're part of a Roman legion.

(This is ignoring the absurd idea that they wouldn't have been used historically in defense against charging troops, or while standing in place, if the situation presented itself.)

[Daddy Shark]

It's beyond me why the knights can only move in 2 and 1 patterns. I mean, they're the only game piece that's mounted! They should be able to move in any direction they want as far as they want.

[Mashsmouth]

Well, moving over units is very helpful...

Somehow, people get tricked more by bishops. Whatever.

[arealhumanbean]

Originally posted by JKflipflop:

It's beyond me why the knights can only move in 2 and 1 patterns. I mean, they're the only game piece that's mounted! They should be able to move in any direction they want as far as they want.

Are you implying that infantry not being able to go into a loose formation, or not being able to use a pilum/javelin defensively, is in some way set in stone like the rules of Chess?