Testudo Formation

[Eumerin]

Was hoping I could get a discussion on the use of the Testudo formation in Hail Caesar. At first glance, the use of the formation doesn't seem to have any real drawbacks. This could result in mass formations of Romans using it to march across an open field while closing with another enemy army, which seems a bit silly. So I'm looking for ideas on how to punish anyone who tries to pull such a stunt using the rules of the game to do so.

The one obvious drawback to the Testudo formation is the inability to shoot. But since units with the formation are typically limited to short range attacks only, this doesn't seem to be all that much of a disadvantage. By the time you're close enough to shoot, you're also close enough to charge into contact.

The less obvious drawback involves the inability to support a unit in Testudo formation. But the rules for the formation indicate that a unit in Testudo formation shifts to Battle Line when it is engaged. My reading of that rule is that you decide which units are part of the engagment (i.e. the units in contact plus supporting units) before converting the Testudo formation to a Battle Line, which means that a unit in Testudo formation that makes contact with the enemy will always be unsupported during the first round of combat.

[mikeland]

This could result in mass formations of Romans using it to march across an open field while closing with another enemy army

I think that was the idea... gave the roman footslogger protection from javelins, slingers and other missiles, until they got close enough to grind the enemy to ribbons with sword and shield.

[Eumerin]

This could result in mass formations of Romans using it to march across an open field while closing with another enemy army

I think that was the idea... gave the roman footslogger protection from javelins, slingers and other missiles, until they got close enough to grind the enemy to ribbons with sword and shield.

I admit that I'm not that familiar with its use, but it seems more as if it were intended for things like attacks on fixed positions, and not necessarily a pitched battle - particularly one involving highly mobile forces on the opposing side, such as heavy mounted troops.

[Invisible officer]

I support Eumerin's view. There are no ancient sources that tell us of Roman troops using the testudo in a standard battle situation to get into hand to hand fighting range.

That close formation needs a lot of coordination. Imagin some men stumbling, it would get them tumbling down like bowling pins. For a trained unit possible for a short distance, best on a flat glacis in front of a wall.

I would limit the use to very special situations.
Attacking fortifications.
Under attack by horse archers but not moving to attack, only to reach a table edge to go away. (Crassus against the Parthians)
Unit under attack by large missile force - retreating.

[BigMike]

Why not either reduce it's move to the 'free move' it gets anyway - as IO states i don't see it going anywhere very fast, or making a command issued to one blunder on 11 or 12. That should get it being used in the real spirit.

[A Lot of Gaul]

I'll add my vote to those of Eumerin and Invisible Officer. As with all of the 'useful' special rules in HC, the Testudo formation is meant to be employed with discretion in scenario play. Personally, I would use it only for attacks against fortified positions, and the like.

Cheers,
Scott

[Big Al]

It is true that there aren't many accounts of Testudo use other than in assaults on static positions. I would also have thought that movement would have been slower. I would suggest only allowing the unit in this formation to only make a single move regardless of how low a command roll is, in a similar way to manhandled artillery.