Denmark: How to win against a full stack of Strzelcy?

[eisenkopf]

Well, the title basically says it all:

I'm Denmark, playing LTC on H/H. Year is 1140. I have expanded into the Baltic Regions and pissed off the Polish by taking (rebel) Thorn and beating their allies/vassals (Russia) to pulp.

Now they've fortified a full stack of troops next to Thorn. My spy almost got a heart attack when he sneaked into the fort to find about 18 units (he lost count somewhere) of Strzelcy. It is only a matter of time before Poland will declare war on me. I wouldn't mind, since they are in the way, sort of, but how can I beat those Strzelcys? I have very bad memories of fighting them as Russia and Hungary - and then I had lots of Horse Archers myself. As Denmark... I don't know. In a few turns I will be able to produce Huscarls, otherwise it's all Viking Raiders, Norse Archers and Scouts.

Any advice?

[Engrish]

I would suggest waiting at a bridge so you can force them into mele with your viking raiders. Keep a good amount of archers behind to weaken them as they cross, and definitely bring some ballistas if you can get your hands on them.

[Monsieur Alphonse]

Auto resolve while using heavy infantry and cavalry. It is cheating in a way because the computer doesn't take in account the special abilities of units while auto resolving. that is why resolving with a full stack of HA's will let you lose a battle that you will win with ease while fighting on the battle field.

You can also train an all cavalry army consisting of heavy cavalry and mounted crossbows and defeat them. Mounted crossbows are very deadly and can be trained from the highest tier of the archery range.

[eisenkopf]

You can also train an all cavalry army consisting of heavy cavalry and mounted crossbows and defeat them. Mounted crossbows are very deadly and can be trained from the highest tier of the archery range.

That is part of the problem: It's early in the game, and while Poland has access to mounted crossbows (=Strzelcy) from day 1, it will take too long for me to get them.

According to Brandybarrel's FAUST, Strzelcy and Huscarls have the same speed, so I could try to engage them in melee. The problem then is sheer numbers: While the AI has no problems financing a full stack of Strzelcys, I can't afford a full stack of Huscarls (yet). If the full stack of Strzelcys fires one or two volleys, a handfull of Huscarl units will look like a bunch of (dead) hedgehogs...

[Wild Cat]

The best counter to HAs is foot archers. They outnumber the cavalry, are more accurate (I think), and are cheaper.

Just set them off skirmish, so they don't run when approached by daring horse archers, and mow the annoying flies down.

That strategy served me well on my Teutonic campaign aganst Novgorod.

[Emporer Franz]

well, you are in a bit of a predicament but you can like another poster said, spam archers as they tend to butcher horsearchers.
When you place your archers put them without skirmish mode on and with a unit or two of spear militia in front to defend against a charge.
Or you can try and coax them into attack where you can kill them from the walls as well as the narrow city/castle streets.
Good luck.