The Square Formation

[Nikko]

In a hypothetical scenario where you are surrounded by infantry in all directions*, would going in an infantry square to counter all opposing enemies be more effective than keeping your men in a single 'block'?

* before all the nerds start commenting about how I'm f***ed either way, yes, if I am surrounded by the enemy from all sides, I am as good as dead. I know that. It's a hypothetical scenario ffs

[*H & R * Decker]

u take a lot more damage from there shots when u do that if your surrounded or flanked your probaly screwed so u want to withdraw in this game its,s about timing and oppurtunitties you want to use your units together ie fake cav charge enemy he goes into square have other unit(s) shooting him when he goes into square hope that helps

[Darcaem]

Originally posted by *H & R * Decker:

u take a lot more damage from there shots when u do that if your surrounded or flanked your probaly screwed so u want to withdraw in this game its,s about timing and oppurtunitties you want to use your units together ie fake cav charge enemy he goes into square have other unit(s) shooting him when he goes into square hope that helps

If he is completelly surrounded he cannot withdraw. Forming square will indeed make the unit take more damage, but they are going to take that damage anyway, so I would form square to at least inflict the most amount of damage before dying. Is the "less worst of all bad options" (I don't know how do you guys say that in English :P).

If we were talking about real life, you would have two options. You either surrender, or you form a square and when asked to surrender you shout "m.erde!" while surrounded of an halo of epicness, as Cambronne told us

PD: in fact, I'm thinking I would not form a square. I would charge directly against the nearest unit. I would die anyway and that way at least I would cause some friendly fire...

[Nikko]

Originally posted by *H & R * Decker:

u take a lot more damage from there shots when u do that if your surrounded or flanked your probaly screwed so u want to withdraw in this game its,s about timing and oppurtunitties you want to use your units together ie fake cav charge enemy he goes into square have other unit(s) shooting him when he goes into square hope that helps

Wow, I've never thought about a fake cavalry charge to trick an enemy into going into a square before! Thank you for your input. I will surely utilise your suggestions in my future battles!

Originally posted by Darcaem:

Originally posted by *H & R * Decker:

u take a lot more damage from there shots when u do that if your surrounded or flanked your probaly screwed so u want to withdraw in this game its,s about timing and oppurtunitties you want to use your units together ie fake cav charge enemy he goes into square have other unit(s) shooting him when he goes into square hope that helps

If he is completelly surrounded he cannot withdraw. Forming square will indeed make the unit take more damage, but they are going to take that damage anyway, so I would form square to at least inflict the most amount of damage before dying. Is the "less worst of all bad options" (I don't know how do you guys say that in English :P).

If we were talking about real life, you would have two options. You either surrender, or you form a square and when asked to surrender you shout "m.erde!" while surrounded of an halo of epicness, as Cambronne told us :mortis:

PD: in fact, I'm thinking I would not form a square. I would charge directly against the nearest unit. I would die anyway and that way at least I would cause some friendly fire...

Yeah, I'm starting to think that charging would be a better option to maximise casualties. I think the square formation would only be useful if you're showing surrender or want to conduct an epic last stand (which my friend and I usually do to maximise realism and immersion lol).

Thanks for your input!

[LCcmdr]

No, squares take higher damage, especially from artillery, when in a square. The square only bests most calvary. When formed against several sides of line infantry the square typically breaks very quickly.

[Brzęczyszczykiewicz]

Originally posted by Никко:

In a hypothetical scenario where you are surrounded by infantry in all directions*, would going in an infantry square to counter all opposing enemies be more effective than keeping your men in a single 'block'?

I'd just attack the weakest looking part of enemy army with all my force, as fast and hard as I can. Best case scenario, I break out of encirclement. Worst case, at least I get to cause some damage before going down.

[pgeerkens]

Note that the French Old Guard routinely moved around the battlefield in a hollow square formation, as an alternative to the "l'ordre mixte" (NOT COLUMN! When will these table-top miniature myths die?) favoured by most other French infantry.