Pike vs Cavalry

[Tolkien]

But of course, the shock effect of the Phalanx requires good terrain. The sheer inflexibility of the Phalanx when it came to being flanked or on forested and rough terrain is the primary reason why the Hellenistic Empires fell to a more flexible, reformed Roman Legion system.

That and unimaginative commanders, but that's besides the point.

Pikes I suppose do have SOME advantages over cavalry: the repel is useful to negate the charge: which is one of the best shock values on cavalry. Past that though, Pikes don't have that much survivability against normal morale infantry. Pikes definitely have their uses, of course: against Giants (because those shields won't protect you when that Jotun Sword hits) or low morale chaff.

[Dedas]

Originally Posted by Tolkien

But of course, the shock effect of the Phalanx requires good terrain. The sheer inflexibility of the Phalanx when it came to being flanked or on forested and rough terrain is the primary reason why the Hellenistic Empires fell to a more flexible, reformed Roman Legion system.

That and unimaginative commanders, but that's besides the point.

Pikes I suppose do have SOME advantages over cavalry: the repel is useful to negate the charge: which is one of the best shock values on cavalry. Past that though, Pikes don't have that much survivability against normal morale infantry. Pikes definitely have their uses, of course: against Giants (because those shields won't protect you when that Jotun Sword hits) or low morale chaff.

Have you tried pikes against normal infantry?

Making a moral check against normal morale (10) is morale + drn against 13 + drn. I don't see that translated to low survivability against normal morale infantry. Also, logic tells us it is better to be able to repel than not. Another thing to remember is that it is not only a matter of repelling but also about being repelled, thus a longer weapon is double effective.

[Tolkien]

Originally Posted by Dedas

Have you tried pikes against normal infantry?

Making a moral check against normal morale (10) is morale + drn against 13 + drn. I don't see that translated to low survivability against normal morale infantry. Also, logic tells us it is better to be able to repel than not. Another thing to remember is that it is not only a matter of repelling but also about being repelled, thus a longer weapon is double effective.

I have. I completely understand your point, and the repel does work, but in my experience, it is not as effective as shield bearing infantry on the defense, and they are rather vulnerable to crossbow fire.