Slitherine

I just realized that a phalanx can form square even while ZOC'd, which seems a bit odd--wouldn't it be a rather risky maneuver to perform with enemy troops right under your nose? Seems like doing this should at least cause a cohesion check (or does it already?).

As per many Napoleonic rules that I have seen, a cohesion test when forming square within charge range of the enemy would be in order.

We are happy with the current rules on this.

Ancient phalanx is not Line battalion.. at least its not deployed in 3 ranks... its deeper therefore can form square a lot faster than battalion of 600men in 3 rank line... which was practically a main reason why battalions usually deployed in columns on march, and when threatened by cavalry deployed into square from column, which was a lot faster than doing same thing from line.... but im getting into details that are not important here, point is, its fine as it is, because its not comparable to Napoleonic era formation

What would be the disadvantage of deploying every HF unit in a square once the two lines are face to face? When units get pushed back and forth, they expose themselves to flanking, and of course sometimes cavalry and other foot units get around the sides and flank. If you deploy everyone as a square at the last moment, you would no longer be subject to flanking/rear attack automatic cohesion loss, right?

That is true but as you cannot attack in a square you are unable to move to take advantage of exposed enemy flanks or other opportunities and also as only a phalanx can form square , as an expensive unit comprising a disproportionate number of men the phalanx so deployed represents a big waste of scarce resources.

devoncop wrote:That is true but as you cannot attack in a square you are unable to move to take advantage of exposed enemy flanks or other opportunities and also as only a phalanx can form square , as an expensive unit comprising a disproportionate number of men the phalanx so deployed represents a big waste of scarce resources.

And in addition the unit is square exerts no ZOCs, so cannot protect the flanks of its friends, and can effectively be ignored by the enemy until it comes out of square.