Actual Roman tactics... do they make any sense?

[Supermarine]

So, has anyone tried to place hastati, then principes, then triarii in succesive parallel lines, just for the sake of fun and historical realism?

Did it work?

Roman tactics were the best in the world for a long, long time, and part of the reason of Rome's success. It would seem like a severe oversight if CA just dismissed that fact and opt for a somewhat re-skinned Medieval II + Napoleon. And I am not talking about unit ability buttons, but actual battle control and unit cohesion here.

History buffs, what did you find? TW long-run fans, what do you think?

[Dragnipurake]

IMHO, the best tactical decision to built up and maintain a big empire was the standardization of organization and equipment (a.k.a. marian reforms). So it was good to get rid of the hastati/principes/triarii.

[Wolfsun]

Been there. Done that.
Probably didn't work since I haven't done it in a very long time.

I normally place Triarii units on the flanks of the hastatii and principes to protect them from enemy cavalry.

Then again I pretty much suck at R2 tactical battles as the AI pummels my ass about 1/2 the time on normal or hard difficulty which means ya probably ought to take this post with a grain of salt.

[wildcard]

Are talking just having three lines of troops and not the actual battle formation? Its does work in this game depending on what the AI does. Since most of the time it will commit most of its troops you use some of your troops to tire the enemy. once they are tired send in your next line and pull back your first.

[Shadow]

The Triplex Acies workes fine when I use it, even against the AI

[SuperGorp]

I put my principes in the center with hastati on each side and triarii on each flank.

[chef]

I always use that formation. It works very well.

[Icecream1973]

I use a combination of formation & units who fit my style of battlefield tactics.

But it is always very wise & mature to look into real Roman tactics & strategy. However everything depends on how the user interprets them & offcourse how well these are excecuted on the battlefield.

If you are truly interested in strategy & tactics, in general, then I highly recommend to incorporate the lessons of Sun Tzu (very usefull when having a professional carreer)

;-)

Edit: some spelling

[Humphries2594]

I use fight the battles that way every battle havnt lost with that era of troops yet
You need to time it right when you send in the line of principe, i usually wait till hasti are faultering or most case just tired by that point the whole enemy army is fighting and tired also so fresh tropps + ugraded = victory

ive never had to send in triarii to help with the fight just used them to proctect my generall should a second enemy army enter the battlefield

[Wulfgardt]

I use the formation Supergorp posted,works very well for me.

[WoodMan]

Originally posted by Supermarine:

So, has anyone tried to place hastati, then principes, then triarii in succesive parallel lines, just for the sake of fun and historical realism?

Did it work?

Roman tactics were the best in the world for a long, long time, and part of the reason of Rome's success. It would seem like a severe oversight if CA just dismissed that fact and opt for a somewhat re-skinned Medieval II + Napoleon. And I am not talking about unit ability buttons, but actual battle control and unit cohesion here.

History buffs, what did you find? TW long-run fans, what do you think?

They actually had a certain number of Velites in front of or between or integrated into the Hastati too. Source: Um... Rome II Encyclopdia thingy. :-p

[Supermarine]

Originally posted by WoodMan:

Originally posted by Supermarine:

So, has anyone tried to place hastati, then principes, then triarii in succesive parallel lines, just for the sake of fun and historical realism?

Did it work?

Roman tactics were the best in the world for a long, long time, and part of the reason of Rome's success. It would seem like a severe oversight if CA just dismissed that fact and opt for a somewhat re-skinned Medieval II + Napoleon. And I am not talking about unit ability buttons, but actual battle control and unit cohesion here.

History buffs, what did you find? TW long-run fans, what do you think?

They actually had a certain number of Velites in front of or between or integrated into the Hastati too.

Yes, they did. But also most of us do. Ranged troops are a must to soften enemy ranks just before actual fighting begins.


What I wonder is if the Roman tactics system works within TW, and how effectively. From the 3-rank lines to the checkered maniple formations.

[WoodMan]

Originally posted by Supermarine:

Originally posted by WoodMan:

They actually had a certain number of Velites in front of or between or integrated into the Hastati too.

Yes, they did. But also most of us do. Ranged troops are a must to soften enemy ranks just before actual fighting begins.


What I wonder is if the Roman tactics system works within TW, and how effectively. From the 3-rank lines to the checkered maniple formations.

Thats all I was saying, if you're going to try it, don't forget the Velites :-)

Personally I think it won't work in Rome II very well, simply because it is too many lines of melee troops, your army will be very narrow and the guys at the back won't be used to their full potential.

I use a three line system with Athens and it works nicely. Front row Peltasts, second row Hoplites with Pikes on the flanks, back row Archers and Ballista. Horses on each flank, +1 unit of ranged horses for bugging the enemy general :-p

It's a sit back and watch kind of formation :-D

[Unruly Marmite]

I tried it, but the lack of a unit rotate ability and the fact that the AI generally comes at you in one massive line sort of hampers it's effectiveness.

[Supermarine]

Originally posted by WoodMan:

Originally posted by Supermarine:

Yes, they did. But also most of us do. Ranged troops are a must to soften enemy ranks just before actual fighting begins.


What I wonder is if the Roman tactics system works within TW, and how effectively. From the 3-rank lines to the checkered maniple formations.

Thats all I was saying, if you're going to try it, don't forget the Velites :-)

Personally I think it won't work in Rome II very well, simply because it is too many lines of melee troops, your army will be very narrow and the guys at the back won't be used to their full potential.

I use a three line system with Athens and it works nicely. Front row Peltasts, second row Hoplites with Pikes on the flanks, back row Archers and Ballista. Horses on each flank, +1 unit of ranged horses for bugging the enemy general :-p

It's a sit back and watch kind of formation :-D

That's a very interesting suggestion. I'll try it!

[MahaFox]

Excellent formation if you have a sizeable cavalry contigent to shield your flanks. I only use Triarii as a last line resort, usually excellent at bogging down the enemy general unit or other tough units if you doubt your hastati or even principes can take them down. Socii Equites Extraordinarii are definitely invaluable to such a formation allowing your relatively tough melee units to form a strong line and then pummel the rear with the shock cavalry. Socii Equites are also desirable since they can beat most other cavalry early game except for some light skirmisher cavalry. Normal Equites are pretty mediocre... but then again it's no secret Roman cavalry was not as impressive as some of its counterparts, allied or else.