Leon-Castille army

[smeak4]

hey jst quick question. ive been playing as leon-castille and ive found that they have barely no spears. i know they can recruit them from cities but the time it takes to bring them from leon to the moors for an attack just isnt worth it. i was wondering if i could make a army mainly composed of javelins instead. saughta like the roman legions. eg. 8 units of javelins guys (forget their name) 2 units of hired spears, 2 units of light swordsmen, 2 units of jinetes, 2 units of mailed knights, 3 units of crossbows and 1 general. tell me what u think.

thx

[Ichon]

Spear militia are cheaper but javelins hold the line about as well plus can take out some cavalry if it is near their lines with missile throws. They are numerous initially but depending on what submod you are using probably not as easy to retrain as spear militia.

It probably is relatively easy just to have a half army of spears following your general on a campaign to rotate in after battles so don't have to wait several turns for reinforcements.

I usually use something like 8 spears(hired mixed in if you have the money or pros if you have a castle/fortress), 4 javelins, 4 jinetes, 2 archer, 1 heavy cavalry, 1 general.

Ultimately it is up to you and your preferred play style. If in doubt just try it a few battles and find out if it works.

[Kulgan]

Javelins are fine! The only thing spears would be better at is prolonged fights against enemy knights. And even that is so so if your javelins can get off a voley before the knight's charge this changes their odds quite beneficary.

Also Enemy knights should be javelined to bits by your jinetis before they reach your infantry line in the first place.

With Leon/Castille, or any other javelins heavy army, you should opt for a loose deployment. Meaning no solid line but seperate units, which run away from enemy heavy infantry and try to cover each others retreat with javelin fire.

Good luck

Kulgan

[gta_140]

Most of my successful Leon-Castille stacks were half Jinetis and the other half jav/spear. This worked so well, I tried to adapt much more missile cav to my other campaigns.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Nothing wrong with shoving javelins down there throats if you can pull it off. With Leon-Castille your really gonna need to amour up EVERYONE at the smiths. Get a 2nd/3rd tier smith made and amour up your spears and javelins. I think you'll find a mix of spear and javelin will work quite well. However the bad thing about going mostly javelins is the 2nd tier javelin has $200 upkeep per turn and your javelins only have 90 men as compared to 112 for the spears. on large setting{think 112 is standard on large?}

Mercenary spears gonna help fill the void. 6-11 anf 6-12 for the Andalusian really make a difference. However the 255 and up main'tenance per turn sure aint cheap.

Need spears? start an assembly line going from Leon and Salamanca. Burgos need to be converted to a city anyhow after you secure Pomploma.

Regarding Jinetes: They are absolutely devastating "IF" you are willing to micromanage them. Plus they cancel out they enemy javelins.

Also Ahemmmmm: Ever wonder why mail knights available in mass from the word go???? Heavy Cav...FTW... Smoke'm yo...you got the Cav...they don't at the start. Shove it down their throats..FTW... {There's also $310, upkeep costs to be considered}

Well hope some of this hopes anyhow...I also may have other points here under Leon-castile. ...

Stainless Steel Standards: Campaign Bible {strategy guide}
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=329518

P.S. Question: Do you stack your generals/family members like some folks do? This formation allows for self replenishing Heavy cav. Used in a battle stack can be devastating...."You, make the call".