An Imperial Roman legion, responding to reports of a slave uprising, reported an approaching mob of rabble just as dusk fell. Despite being fatigued from the day's march, the legion formed for battle, auxiliaries taking a position at the edge of a rough terrain, steep hill, and the main body of legionnaires taking the more level, open ground to their right. As the enemy approached and charged the Roman lines, the horrifying truth became clear--this was no mere slave revolt. The legions showed their characteristic discipline and pressed forward despite the situation, while the auxiliaries held the line to their left. A cohort and the tribune in charge of the first line pressed forward too far and was outflanked by the dead, their formation fragmenting and the tribune being torn apart as he attempted to rally the wavering troops. The legionnaires re-dressed their lines under the eye of the primus pilus and held until support could arrive. On the left the auxiliaries were holding their ground despite casualties, until those casualties began rising once again and struck the auxiliaries in the rear. Their line collapsed, but reinforcing legions were able to stabilize the situation. Sunrise saw the Romans battered but holding, and the zombies dispersed in the dawn light.
This is a really cool mod! Didn't have too much trouble holding the line with Imperial legions (the one that got a pushback and advanced too far was the only one that was in trouble, besides a mediocre legion cohort in severely disordering terrain), although the Auxiliaries caved when a zombie spawned in the rear. I agree that zombies probably shouldn't fall back, although it was nice to have some breathing room
I did notice several zombie units near the end basically standing there and taking fire from my light troops, not really trying to move or attack. It would be difficult to win by killing every single zombie, it seems.
Karvon wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 7:56 am1. As the zombies don't suffer disruption or fragmentation, flank and rear attacks are much less decisive. For the same reason, I wouldn't bother with missile troops in such battles.
I'm only working off of one battle, but IMO missile troops are helpful. My massed archer auxiliaries could inflict as many or more casualties as my legions (tightly packed unarmored enemies), and without taking any casualties which might decide to get back up later in the battle. They can't fire as much once battle lines join, of course. I'm curious to try an army like the Assyrians or Persians with lots of archers, just to see how well that works--although the poor armor would probably not do well for them once contact is made.
