New player question about Macedonians

[chacal83000]

Hello,
new to FOG2, how the hell didnt I found this game before ? I m still playing GBOH series for those who remember. Ayway very happy !

I have a litlle question, without being a Macedonian specialist at all, Im quite puzzled to find in Guagameles (and other Alexandre battles) that Hypaspists are classed as Pike. From what I remember, most historians thinks that they where here to protect phalanxes from more manoeuvring units, and were not wielding Sarissas but rather spears.

But maybe historians have found new datas about it that im not aware, my books are rather old and i dont trust really wikipedia for such specific information. Or maybe as new to the game i m missing something.

I

[rbodleyscott]

Hello,
new to FOG2, how the hell didnt I found this game before ? I m still playing GBOH series for those who remember. Ayway very happy !

I have a litlle question, without being a Macedonian specialist at all, Im quite puzzled to find in Guagameles (and other Alexandre battles) that Hypaspists are classed as Pike. From what I remember, most historians thinks that they where here to protect phalanxes from more manoeuvring units, and were not wielding Sarissas but rather spears.

But maybe historians have found new datas about it that im not aware, my books are rather old and i dont trust really wikipedia for such specific information. Or maybe as new to the game i m missing something.

There has long been debate over the role of the hypaspists.

You can see a summary of the arguments in favour of each hypothesis in "Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars" by Duncan Head. Duncan comes down in favour of the "spearmen" interpretation, we favour the "pikemen" interpretation.

We chose not to give both options because the army list system in FOG2 does not allow minima and maxima to be shared between two unit types, so including both would effectively allow players to field both versions of the hypaspists at the same time.

Incidentally, Duncan interprets thureophoroi as armed with spear and javelins, but we are convinced by Luke Ueda-Sarson's alternative interpretation that they could be fielded either as line infantry with spears (but not javelins) or skirmishers with javelins (Euzonoi), and have classified them accordingly. See:

http://lukeuedasarson.com/Iphikrates1.html

http://lukeuedasarson.com/Iphikrates2.html

[chacal83000]

Thanks for your documented answer. In ancient history we only shouldbe sure of one thing, that nothing is for sure.
From gaming perspective I like more the speramen classification of Hypaspists, however I understand well both arguments and both make sense.

Anyway thanks again for your time.

[Karvon]

If you download and use the Table Top mod, there's an alternative Macedonian list which provides for the Hypaspists as spear rather than pikes. The Ancient Greeks mod does as well, but that also includes a significant number of rule changes which you may, or may not, be interested in experimenting with.

Karvon

[chacal83000]

Great to know that mods exists for such things. For now I will however play vanillia in order to get a better grip on the mechanisms. So much to experiment !

[Karvon]

The Table Top mod doesn't change any of the game rules, just provides alternative lists and graphics for armies.

Karvon