Best way to arrange your infantry line?

[TheJay13]

Hey, its me again, asking more questions. Sorry if I'm getting annoying with all of them

So I have heard someone say that the only way you should arrange your infantry units is in a checkerboard formation, never in a line.

Is it true that in this game the checkerboard formation has a benefit over the line or do they have the same utility in a fight?

[awesum4]

From a shooting perspective the traditional (I think all the illustrations I've seen of 30 years war and English civil war battles show armies deployed that way) checkerboard formation works really well for musket armed foot. I find with arquebus having a range of only 2 it doesn't really work as you have to be right up on the enemy for the second line to shoot. But with muskets you can get two lines shooting and can concentrate fire on particular enemy units rather than just shooting at that directly in front of you.
However I do tend to use troops in a side by side line a lot, its probably a hangover from playing ancients for years where having a continuous line works for most foot armies.
It all depends on the situation, there is no one true answer that covers all circumstances.

[keyth]

It all depends on the situation, there is no one true answer that covers all circumstances.

This. Checkerboard is great for supporting fire and allowing interpenetration of cavalry to batter D or F units (or evading LF/LH), solid line gives you a wall of fire with no holes.

[deadtorius]

I have had luck with the checkerboard formations, the second line can sometimes stop or flank charge enemy that has broken your first line troops and pursued into your second line, also helps to plug those holes left by a routing friendly unit.
Once again it depends on the situation, I have had luck where a solid line with the terrain works better, although having those gaps does allow your horse to hide behind your foot then pop out and charge tempting enemy targets.
Practice and see what works best for you

[jomni]

I like checkerboard. but for small armies, I had no choice but form lines.

In my Japanese mod, double line is best. First line is solid, 2nd line is dispersed to catch those that are able to penetrate.