The use of orb by Spears and Pikes

[david53]

Hi There
Has anyone used this in a battle if so how did it work out. Its just I have a few Pike/Spear armies never used it myself. What do you think about the ups and downs of using it in open play.
Dave

[MCollett]

Has anyone used this in a battle if so how did it work out. Its just I have a few Pike/Spear armies never used it myself. What do you think about the ups and downs of using it in open play.

It's better than being hit in the flank or rear. I've not used it yet, but I've had it used against me by spears that otherwise would have had one BG of lancers in the front and one in the flank. The lancers bounced off the orb - one of those occasions where light spear cavalry would be better.

Best wishes,
Matthew

[shall]

Its a last resort formation. Generally it results in a slow death and buys time but is not strong enough to do more against decent opposition. However I have seen it be the way a Hoplite BG held on while the rest of the army had won a battle, so well worth considering if being swarmed from all sides.

Si

[OldenTired]

Hi There
Has anyone used this in a battle if so how did it work out. Its just I have a few Pike/Spear armies never used it myself. What do you think about the ups and downs of using it in open play.
Dave

i had a pike BG isolated that had to use one. it's not a bad outcome, especially to avoid being hit in the flank/rear as matthew says.

i was lucky that the player was inexperienced, so he was cautious about attacking it.

as the others say, it sat there covering it's own ar$e until the rest of the army could help it out.