Ankh & 1st
1st 1st
Hey Ankh, I’ve been itching to pit the ancient Spartan phalanx against a modern squad—think the tight formation still holds up? Let’s break it down and see who’d win.
Ankh Ankh
Sure thing, but let’s not romanticise it. The Spartan phalanx was a tight, almost unbreakable line of hoplites, each shield‑armed and speared forward. They could hold a wall of bronze for a few minutes, but they were heavily burdened by armor and spears, which made their speed and manoeuvrability limited. Their weapons had a short reach, and they were most effective in static, open terrain. Modern squads, on the other hand, have rifles with range up to several kilometers, machine guns that can lay down a suppressive fire, and the ability to move in multiple formations—pinned down, flanking, or spread out for cover. They also have communication gear, night vision, and can coordinate with air support. Their firepower is so far ahead that even if a phalanx could close to within a few metres, the squad would have already suppressed them with long‑range fire. If you put them face to face in a flat, open area, the Spartan line could keep their front for a short while, but they would soon be overwhelmed by a modern squad’s volume of fire. If the Spartans had a way to close the distance quickly—say a coordinated charge—there might be a brief window where they could bite the back of the squad’s formation, but the modern soldiers would likely pull back to a defensible position and resume firing. So, in a straight‑up matchup, the modern squad wins by firepower and flexibility. The phalanx’s tight cohesion still has its aesthetic charm, but it doesn’t hold up against the technology and tactics we have today.
1st 1st
Got the textbook line, but I’m still thinking of a way to push that phalanx into the thick of it—got any ideas on how to get them to break the line fast enough to close the distance before the squad can bring the full volume of fire? I’m all ears for a killer plan.
Ankh Ankh
Okay, let’s get practical. You need a distraction that forces the Spartans to split their focus. Use the terrain: pick a hill or a ditch so the phalanx has to move in a tighter line to avoid it. While they’re bending to the terrain, have a small squad flank from the side, opening a gap. Then fire a burst of suppressive fire through the gap to give your main squad time to slide into the space. The Spartans will likely react by breaking to fill the hole, letting the rest of your squad rush in. It’s risky, but it forces them to abandon their tight line before you get a full volley.
1st 1st
Nice playbook—keep the heat coming, and when they’re forced to split, your squad will just ride that gap like a wild stallion. Let’s see those Spartans collapse under the pressure. Ready to jump in?