Phalanx formation... does it work? YES

[Kutari13]

I'm looking for a dedicated group of people who would like to play in a more organized fashion. While I understand that most people love to run around and kill, I do as well... but this post isn't for you if that is the only playstyle you enjoy.

I'm sure that everyone wishes they could play with a group of people with a common goal, and no I don't mean the goal of having your team win, that is the goal for every game mode. I'll start by telling you a story and why those who are truly interested should add me and try this out.

In playing an LTS (last team standing) game mode, our team was definately losing, we were down 6-0 and one more round that would be the end of it. One person yelled out to do "the 300 formation" in the middle of the throneroom level. For a few rounds now he has been asking people to try it, and I ended up jumping in and tried recruiting people for our cause. In a game of 15 vs 15 or 20 vs 20. It worked beautifully. Using this formation requres everyone to be on the same page, and you cannot think selfishly (meaning, no going for kills because that specific enemy looks vulnerable, or leaving the group EVEN FOR A MOMENT, to try to finish someone off)

What we did... is a good chunk of our team became knights with tower sheilds, obviously, they are in front, sheilds up. Under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, their shields should not drop, unlesss stamina is low. Next, we would need a few vanguards with long reach poking weapons (preferably spears) and their job is to search in the group of enemies, who is a good target for that moment, if that target merges back with the enemy group, don't give chase. And lastly, a few archers just to keep up with harrasment.

TEAMWORK IS A MUST, the sheilds must not break rank (but that doesn't mean they're standing still!) Their job is to find enemies that are attacking, and if the enemy's attack arc is within your area, you try to stop it with your sheild, and THAT IS ALL. The vangards or perhaps another knight that did not block the attack but is nearby, can get a stab, THAT IS ALL, the point of course is to try to kill that enemy ASAP, but if it isn't possible, it isn't work breaking rank for that one kill.

Sometimes, enemies will break through the front lines, if you're a knight, don't worry too much about it, try to hold the front, the people behind you will take care of it.

Now I know this sounds like too much work than it's worth, if you feel that way, then your opinion is respected, but for those who simply want to "try" or play the game differently, then my argument is... "why not try it"? If we can get a good dedicated group to try this here and there, wouldn't that be fun?

[Werner Herzog]

I've always wanted to try this... What server would you be playing in?

[Lux]

I'm very much interested in this as well. I had enough of running around and killing aimlessly. Shield wall ftw!

[Caedo]

It would be a fantastic idea since the whole design of medieval combat was to fight in formations and be in lines, the problem is too many people are glory hounds who wish to run out there, drag and duck their way to sword kills for the whole 15 minutes.
If the maps / objectives awarded you properly for playing logically, then im sure a lot more formations/lines will be used, but unfortunately to unlock the weapons or rank up it just requires kills. Bad motivation.
Shield walls or phalanx formations would work wonders, however the draw back would be the heavy kick, knocks the shield back and would wreck the formation, effectively breaking up the line. If there was a stance, like walk or crouch which could make you a bit more solid deffensively, like remaining "steady" against a charge which prevents you from attacking but allows you to fend off kicks to your shield, then it might just be possible for shield walls etc to work.

[Rocket]

I'm in. Added you.

[Emperor of MemeKind]

Nice idea! what would be REALLY cool would be to do this on DW with spartans knights and vikings!

[Kutari13]

Thank you all for the support!

[Kutari13]

Originally posted by Jack's Smirking Revenge:

It would be a fantastic idea since the whole design of medieval combat was to fight in formations and be in lines, the problem is too many people are glory hounds who wish to run out there, drag and duck their way to sword kills for the whole 15 minutes.
If the maps / objectives awarded you properly for playing logically, then im sure a lot more formations/lines will be used, but unfortunately to unlock the weapons or rank up it just requires kills. Bad motivation.
Shield walls or phalanx formations would work wonders, however the draw back would be the heavy kick, knocks the shield back and would wreck the formation, effectively breaking up the line. If there was a stance, like walk or crouch which could make you a bit more solid deffensively, like remaining "steady" against a charge which prevents you from attacking but allows you to fend off kicks to your shield, then it might just be possible for shield walls etc to work.

I do understand your concern about the heavy kick, and this has happened in the past, but the spearmen in the back will take care of it, whenever we can set a date and good few days for all of us to jump in and try this, we'll work wonders

[Kutari13]

The main thing of getting this "formation" deal to work, is that while trying to ask the team in the server that I am in to do this formation, no one wants to do it. But as soon as someone else joins in the chat of the current game, then a 3rd person, the room tends to follow the trend.

After all, no one wants to be running alone when they see the whole team doing cool stuff

[Kutari13]

UPDATE: I have just played with two members today in a few games... it works FANTASTICALLY, if you are looking to get "tons of kills" again, this isnt' for you, this is where everyone looks out for one another and supports each other.

All 3 of us who tried it in matches are of course not new to the idea, but definately need practice, many instances we would form a strong line. If someone got hit, we would cover his spot till he recovered and could fill in again. Coordination (without voice chat) was better than I expected. The problem was figuring out who would kill the enemy, this of course would be a case by case solution. But from what I've just recently experienced, it seems the best ones to "attack" a given target would be the ones the target is not attacking. (meaning, he attacks the man on the left, the middle and right man (whomever has the chance) would attack, but NOT BOTH, as this would ruin the integrity of the wall.

Another problem we encountered (possibly due to the lack of players) is we would get flanked alot. Perhaps choosing a location with less opportunities for flanks, or simply having more in numbers to scare off the potential flankers would be needed.

This seems to be working out really well guys! Hope to see more soon!

[Kutari13]

Here is a video of some people using formations, it seems very fun and works well! Everyone pay attention to when some of these people in the wall attack, most notably, the sheild holders.
From the attacking point of view
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krEg7C_eMJ8&list=PLXKvi_7KXFtvfQZ9oAR_udkQf19S7U5vW&index=2

from the shield wall point of view
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIKDNgjDJBo

[PR 36]

Nice work man!

Don't want to turn out arrogant, as I suck in this game, but here are my thoughts on the matter

If you want this to work properly you'll need to protect your flanks, as you've said, that's what happens and your mobility suck, cannot instantly turn without breaking formation (was the same in history, look up battle at ). Try implementing few vanguards "free roam" on each side to protect you (giving you just enough time for you to turn to the side of the real threat) while the main line advances to the point of interest or use formation only when you are being favoured by terrain (holding gates, small corridors,...). Never stretch your line to wide though as when flanked your guys on sides will be outnumbered 3 v 1 at least; practically a wipefest.

You won't get a lot kills in this formation this way; to correct that try placing archers behind your lines, let them aim at the enemy (torso) then let him (archer) call out who would he like to move away from formation (aka, breaking it for few seconds), at the very moment knight sidesteps, archer shoots (hard to dodge since the attacker won't see it coming. However this demands really good coordination but with 3, 4 archers aiming at the same target it's insta kill so it can be quite rewarding ;)

Another possible way to counter flanking or if you are outnumbered is square formation (4x4, 3x3) if you are familiar with the concept with archer(s) inside for damage (or without if you play defensive).

Quite few historical tactics could be applied in this game, personally I think it's interesting, let us know how it turns out for you and good luck :)

[The Galactic DUP]

This would be better with the Spartans in Deadliest Warrior

[Lock]

firepots

[DDRMANIAC007]

Originally posted by Kutari:

Here is a video of some people using formations, it seems very fun and works well! Everyone pay attention to when some of these people in the wall attack, most notably, the sheild holders.
From the attacking point of view
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krEg7C_eMJ8&list=PLXKvi_7KXFtvfQZ9oAR_udkQf19S7U5vW&index=2

from the shield wall point of view
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIKDNgjDJBo

Second video your reactions seem to be very slow. I'd be willing to join in on something like this though.

[Jimelef]

This is a really good idea and i thing it would be great in Dw too!