Special formations - the infantry wedge and the oblique line

Here's another formation used in Optio. I've tried it a couple of times and it can be effective.

The Infantry Wedge

Some infantry units as indicated in the army lists may form a wedge. The wedge is formed by a single battleline. The infantry wedge is indicated by using the order/disorder counter facing with the oblique line of thick dashes.

Once the battle begins the battleline may advance in wedge. The unit with the general/commander moves forwards first, leaving the rest of the battleline in place.

Once it has advanced two squares ahead of the battleline the two units on either side of it advance to maintain corner-to-corner contact with the lead unit.

Once those units have advanced two squares ahead of the battleline the next two units adjacent to it advance to maintain corner-to-corner contact with the other advanced units. Bases of the individual units in the battleline may be moved forwards and backwards to better replicate the shape of the wedge. All this is shown below.

The infantry battleline may advance in wedge as if a normal battleline with the exception that it may not rotate 180° nor move diagonally. Each unit of the wedge fights normally.

The wedge may form a normal line again by a reverse process. The frontmost unit remains stationary whilst the two units on either side of it advance alongside it. Those units then remain stationary whilst the next two units move up alongside.

The whole point of a wedge is that you concentrate your best troops at the tip. These are the first to engage the enemy and hopefully will have enough time to shatter the centre of the enemy line and then begin to roll up both halves before the enemy has time to engage and break the rest of the wedge.

The Oblique Line

Any unit in the battleline with a leader may be the lead unit. For example, instead of advancing from the centre, the unit on one edge of the line may advance whilst the others form an inclined line next to it. This is an oblique line.

As a matter of interest, the oblique line was the favourite way the late Roman army engaged the enemy, according to Vegetius:

The second and best disposition is the oblique. For although your army consists of few troops, yet good and advantageously posted, it will greatly contribute to your obtaining the victory, notwithstanding the numbers and bravery of the enemy. It is as follows: as the armies are marching up to the attack, your left wing must be kept back at such a distance from the enemy's right as to be out of reach of their darts and arrows. Your right wing must advance obliquely upon the enemy's left, and begin the engagement. And you must endeavor with your best cavalry and infantry to surround the wing with which you are engaged, make it give way and fall upon the enemy in the rear. If they once give ground and the attack is properly seconded, you will undoubtedly gain the victory, while your left wing, which continued at a distance, will remain untouched. - De Re Militari