Rome Total War Tactics - The NON-cheese variety

[Tiberius Clodius Corvinus]

The Evidence!!! D D

as I am sure the effectiveness is reducedwhen you attack the shielded sides of enemies

I experimented with the RTW battle editor and let two slinger units (one from left and one from right) attack a blocked greek phalanx unit on a bridge. I did three times the same battle and found that almost exactly 33% less troops were killed, when the shielded side was attacked. - So positioning your missile/slinger-troops on your left flank should be a good idea.

Has anyone else found that light infantry/velites are a good defense against chariots? Not the missile chariots, the wicked ones that devastate infantry. Like the British and Egyptians. Ick. Cavalry doesn't do well at all against those. Suggestions?

When fighting armies, which have elephants or charriots I usually raise one or two phalanx mercenary units and place them in front to break the charge. As the velites are concerned its better to turn skirmish off, I think, and enable the "loose formation"-option. Many who will be mowed down at first, will stand up again shortly afterwards.