Managing your troops | Battle TW: Rome II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Controls

Control over units in Total War: Rome II is very simple. LMB selects the unit and RMB moves it. RMB doubleclick makes the unit to run (you can also use the R key to do it).

If you want to select several units at one, you can drag the mouse cursor with LMB pressed or to select them one by one with CTRL key pressed. In the same way you can select unit tiles in the army list. With SHIFT key and LMB you can select units from-to in the army list.

Dragging RMB when the unit is selected will allows you to form a rank with desired width and depth.

Groups can be selected with CTRL key and numbers 1-9. In case when you set several units in the formation and you want to keep it during the battle, just press CTRL+G.

Besides, do not forget about using pause under P key and full battlefield view under SPACE key.

Advanced controls

With some units it is necessary to use some "tricks" to use their all abilities.

Phalanx

Units which use phalanx formation, especially pikemen, can attack enemy in two ways. If you click RMB on the enemy unit, your troops will run towards it, without using pikes. This option is useful, when you want to finish off skirmishers or fleeing enemy unit.

But if you want to move phalanx and stick enemy heavy infantry into a wall of pikes, you should click RMB directly BEHIND enemy unit, so order them to march there. The moving phalanx will slowly make its way through enemy unit. Remember also not to use run option in this case, because your pikemen will hide pikes and move on enemy with swords.

Chariots

Same like with phalanx, chariots also have two modes of attack. When you click RMB on enemy (after selecting melee fight mode) chariots will hit enemy unit and start the fight. This method is useful when fighting enemy projectile units.

Another option is an attack with usage of scythes mounted on the chariot: this time doubleclick directly BEHIND the enemy unit - your chariots will run over enemy troops. In this case you can immediately move away and prepare to the next charge.

Remember that chariots are resistant to projectiles, but very vulnerable to damage in melee fight, so for this reason you should choose charge or rally depending on chosen target.

Melee infantry with javelins

Some melee infantry units have javelins or pilum, which are used during charging on the enemy unit. In order to use this ability just order your troops to attack the enemy. In many cases you can use those weapons as additional "projectile" - just order to charge and then stop your running soldiers.