The Swiss Pikemen Company

[Warbird]

Hi!

I have been experimenting with a company of only 12 polearm masters all having the same template. I found that such a group can be very powerful, heck i dismissed my 4 archers and decided to go all the way with 12 polearm ( bannerman included ).

My team is splitted evenly with 6 pikes and 6 billhooks.
The front row of 6 all wear heavy armors ( Battle Forged )
The backrow are all light armors ( Nimble )

Common tree for all except bannerman:

Colossus
Gifted
Backstabber
Polearm Mastery
Underdog
Berserk
Nimble / Battle Forged
Fortified Mind
Resilient for Nimblers / Brawny for Battle Forgers
Rotation

My gameplay strategy is simple. Always charge, close in and always try to get backstabber bonuses going on and hitting multiple times with berserk or using the bonus move to surround the next target ASAP causing morale checks and hit bonuses.

Anyone tried that before and have comments or suggestions about perk choice?


Edit: All bros except sergent are upgrading Melee Attack , Melee Defense and HP or Fatigue whichever is best. Also using the Caravan start for better prices all around.

[MMMMK]

How far have you gone in your campaign? I find that polearms rock until you start hitting the heavier stuff around day 100. Still good after that, but I miss the versatility that other weapons bring.

Also I'd personally drop Fortified Mind, Resilient, possibly Brawny and possibly Underdog on whichever brothers can afford it. Add Killing Frenzy for everyone, Adrenaline on guys who can handle it, and Quick Hands --> Swordlance + Overwhelm for your back line will make your team much stronger.

[turtle225]

Give everyone Quick Hands and put a 2H Mace, 2H Axe, or 2H Hammer in their bag and you practically have the meta right now.

As for your particular setup, giving everyone the same build is a bit limiting, unless you wanted to do that as part of your intention. As an example, giving the Nimble backline some more damage or support perks (ie Executioner, Frenzy, Overwhelm, Fearsome) instead of defensive perks could make sense.

Fearsome Swordlance is very strong for example.

[Warbird]

My plan is to find 12 Scythes for my bros but it could take a while. I am around day 130 and still have not found a single one haha.

I find Fearsome a little of a waste because i like fighting the Undead alot.
About Overwhelm, it does require a high Initiative to use it if I recall correctly...

My group of 12 bros are basically the bros i used since the first 30 days. A bunch of farmers, daytalers and caravan hands... The whole of them at level 10 cost 250 gold per day.

I want to start recruiting high profile units but all the money is spent on upgrading the frontline with coat of plates. It could take a while.

Thanks for sharing tips and ideas!

[Estieukua]

I'd prefer QH as well, because you want to have a more instant impact against things like chosen and orc warriors.

Aside from that, the thing that would worry me would be the lack of ability to manipulate the turn order against tricky fast enemies with Overwhelm (i.e. bounty hunters, some mercenaries, or even a mass of frenzied hyenas/direwolves - especially in a forest ambush that disperses your formation).

[Nerdgasm]

Originally posted by turtle225:

Give everyone Quick Hands and put a 2H Mace, 2H Axe, or 2H Hammer

or 2H sword, or bardiche

Originally posted by turtle225:

in their bag

[hutma009]

I'm doing a kind of Swiss Company challenge. With have most of the roster being polearm with quick hands and crossbows. It's fun but very inefficient compared to my usual setups. Mostly because I need to upgrade both MAtk and RAtk for this challenge.

[Gorgeous_Joe]

I think the best thing about BB is that you can do it your way, sure there are 'optimal' builds and 'optimal' strategies but I've found that being the best at everything usually doesn't equate to fun and adventure.

[w.f.schepel]

Against goblins this kind of company is going to suffer. Orc warriors and Chosen might also be a bit of problem. I'd definitely try and add one or two polehammer guys if you want to stick with 2h reach weapons. Maybe one 2h axe guy to deal with the odd schratt situation.

Avoid lindwurms like the plague. :-)

[Fatbill]

I did a similar thing, except I went heavy on sword lances (5 regular and one artifact).
And yeah, I threw in a few 2h maces when I saw how well they added to the mix.