Crowquills
Recruit
So far been using shield wall just to counter archer fire and to HOLD THE ENEMY LINE when infantry closes in. The best way to fight a line is often to envelope the enemy line. Mostly though just telling unit to follow sergeants after positioning them works best also because they react dynamically to the battle. So far though I must concur that shield wall is a complete failure for anything other than VS archery fire and to distract an enemy infantry line that is charging or to block cavalry from wrecking your lines. For offensive purposes, its definitely weaker than anything else you can do. But like I said, after positioning, telling them to follow sergeants works great or just charging after the enemy is pounding on the shields. Could definitely use some better work cause the video that started this thread is spot on with what is wrong with spears/combat lines in this game.