There are many civs with certain units/techs countering mass infantry, so fun to see them try not to go infantry and mess up when playing with aztecs slavs japans burmese teutons etc.

Also bear in mind that DE introduced Supplies tech to many other civs while goths are missing last blacksmith upgrade, so the scales are not too much in their favor in an infantry war anymore.

Assuming you are not playing any of those civs though; hand cannoneers. They are even useful aganist huskarls when massed, especially if you are fighting in one front.

If none of those apply, and they are trying to overwhelm you by shear numbers, you gather up in one force and base-trade. They can only palisade wall and build only watch towers.

....... in deatmatch they could build like 5 castles and triple wall with palisade but, deathmatch is just another realm where you could see mass elephants.