Army composition

[withfriend2]

This is about what units you guys use to make up your army and this goes for all factions. its interesting to know what one persons army is with a faction versus another persons army of the same faction.

Dont be afraid to include pros and cons of the army to and mods used

[Cfc149]

4 units of heavy cavalry (including general)
6 missile units
6 units of spearmen/halberdiers
4 units heavy infantry

Thats for a powerful european faction like hre. And i never play as factions like turkey with poor heavy infantry and horse archers so i wouldnt know for them.

Pros=solid defence against cavalry and infantry. Easy to flank and cavalry cause units to rout easily when charged from flanks

Cons=poor moility, exspensive, cant chase down routing units well, extremely vulnerable to skirmishers and missile cav.

[Gogolometro]

4-6 units of heavy/medium and light cavalry. If is a eastern faction, or fight there, I get like medium/light cavalry HA, at least at early campaigns when are effective.
8-10 units of spears/pikes/halebards.
The rest are skirmishers and missels troops, this include archers, javelins and gunners.
If I have ocasion I take some artilery pieces.
I never take only elite units, so my army never look badass, except teutons when all are like that.
I recruit peasents, militia and levy with no problem. I tend to get all cavalry posible, even mounted sargents in early campaigns. I charge from begining, using the infantry core in defensive position.

[YourOnlineHero]

My army consists of the units available in nearby settlements.

Faction I use this army composition for: Scotland
Mod: 6.3

[Slyspy]

At the moment as Poland I'm using:

General
2 heavy cavalry
2 missle cavalry
4 missle units
5 spear units
5 light/heavy infantry
1 other (light cavalry at the moment)

It is well balanced but when besieging must either wait of risk massive casualties.

In my previous campaign as Genoa I used:

General
2 artillery or standard
6 crossbows
3 spears/pikes
3 heavy infantry
2 light cavalry
2 heavy cavalry
1 other (often archers or other skirmishers)

This is a very strong formation in the field, but quite slow and defensive. The crossbows do most of the killing and dying. The arty means that it can breech walls in sieges, but the relative lack of infantry means picking your siege battles carefully. The standard means that even when outnumbered and slaughtered the troops fight to the last.

[Marcvs Antonivs]

As England:
3-4 units of cavalry 1 light 2 heavy or 3 heavy (plus general)
5-6 swordsmen (light & heavy)
2-4 spearmen (light & heavy)
8-9 longbowmen/yeoman/retinue

The over use of archers can go wrong as it did some times, but can also compensate in many other situations... It's one of the strongest armies I've ever made.

[Callawyn]

As England:
3-4 units of cavalry 1 light 2 heavy or 3 heavy (plus general)
5-6 swordsmen (light & heavy)
2-4 spearmen (light & heavy)
8-9 longbowmen/yeoman/retinue

The over use of archers can go wrong as it did some times, but can also compensate in many other situations... It's one of the strongest armies I've ever made.

When things go wrong, I've had archer units save the day on many occassions. Put them in skirmish mode and run as much as you have to, fire when you can. If you are clearly losing a battle, focus on wiping out the enemy cavalry and put your archers in skirmish. Its amazing how much infantry archers can destroy like this.

The problem I find is, I'm always focused on capturing regions, so my army composition will include at least one trebuchet (or 2 catapults in the very early game) and plenty of infantry. Infantry is so essential in siege assaults that I just can't go heavy on cav or missile in my army compositions.

[RabidSheepLegion]

When things go wrong, I've had archer units save the day on many occassions. Put them in skirmish mode and run as much as you have to, fire when you can. If you are clearly losing a battle, focus on wiping out the enemy cavalry and put your archers in skirmish. Its amazing how much infantry archers can destroy like this.

The problem I find is, I'm always focused on capturing regions, so my army composition will include at least one trebuchet (or 2 catapults in the very early game) and plenty of infantry. Infantry is so essential in siege assaults that I just can't go heavy on cav or missile in my army compositions.

Get longbowmen on a hilly or mountain like map, their range is insane lol Can use almost half of ammo before enemy inf can get close

[Hadrian I]

For laying sieges, from the eailer periode, to late periode.

Auxiliaries for the rams, ladders & siege towers.
Since I believe my own nations men, are to much to risk, nationality comes first. I pay those auxiliaries an arm and a leg, so let's throw them in first.
Then I sweep the streets with either the remaints of the auxiliaries, or use shield wall, or spear wall, with my nations men, and slowly advance forth.
Generally I would like a decent all around army, but normally, I just work with what I have, even if it is the poor spear militia or peasants.

Nation = Byzantium empire.
At war with. Sicily,Venice,Hungary & Seljuk Sultanate, Fatimad Caliphate.
And no it wasn't me who started any of these wars... :/ Just trying to defend my nations nitch in the world, against everyone.

[withfriend2]

really interesting stuff peoples. gogo, 8-10 spear thats alot, you dont use any heavy infantry to back them up?

[Ichon]

Army composition depends alot on faction, era, region, money, and use.

I am a fan of raiding armies which aren't meant to capture cities but merely defeat enemy armies in the field and win heroic victories. They should be fast and capable of defeating larger numbers which means almost always all cavalry.

1 general, 3-4 HA or if no HA available 2 general 2 HC, 2 LC(hopefully javelin cavalry). Such armies can usually defeat typical full stack enemy armies. They are vulnerable mostly to large number of heavy cavalry or lots of HA. Infantry armies or any armies with less than = # of cavalry they smash, many times with light losses. They can often siege with success due to being so small AI sallies. Problem is a couple tough battle they are long way from home raiding deep and need to be careful of ambushes etc.

Early army that needs to be well rounded before castles/cities have high level barracks;

1 general, 2 LC (mounted sergeants whatever can get) 1 HC (mercenary if have to, try to dismiss between battles to save money) 1-2 archers for fire arrow, 4-5 crossbow, 9-10 spearmen militia to use as bait, blocking etc.

Early army that is purely defensive(for bridges, mountain passes)-

1 general, 3 LC(hopefully javelin cavalry), 7-8 archer/crossbow, 4 spearmen. Don't need full army for defensive battles and waste of money to use it.

Early Garrison army for siege defense only-

1 archer(should be first so it will be captain), 3-4 crossbow/archer, 1-2 heavy infantry, 4-6 spearmen. With decent walls should only need to pay for 8-9 units with 4 at least free upkeep in city. Only use this large garrison on borders where maybe attack comes. Should be able to hold out against anything except 2 stack attack or large # of heavy infantry. No general so just in case lose battle don't lose an important FM. If anything have general next to wall so comes into battle as reinforcement or draw off enemy attack and even if forced to battle can flee with small consequences.

Campaign army late early-mid;

1-2 generals/FM (as game progress closer to late campaign army usually need to include more FM for the heavy armor and free replenish. Plus by that point empire usually large enough to have extra).

Some type of missile cavalry, HA better but javelins work. 2-4 in # based on availability.

2 archers, preferably with flame arrow and spikes.

2 crossbow- can take more in some area where there are mostly infantry armies but they are so vulnerable to cavalry its best to be conservative despite certain battlefields they could devastate even against lots of heavy cavalry. Italians and some few other with decent crossbow are exception... wide availability means can almost replace spear infantry as decent melee and crossbow despite smaller size of unit is better. Still need a few spears to be bait or absorb charges cheap and still have fighting chance.

10 of best spear available, usually 8 militia and 2 early pike or stronger mercenary spear of some sort. Use the mercenaries heavily on flank or to hold center of the line depending on morale.

2 heavy infantry or melee specialists in early could even be light men at arms though they aren't heavy infantry they might as well be vs most spear militias.


Late era armies more difficult to describe as more units available as well as many unique units for a faction. Generally pike/halberd center with some heavy cavalry. Rarely artillery as it slows army too much and spies open gates by that point money isn't as important so can have dozen spies roaming.

My absolute favorite army- Portugal! =D Not always the strongest but simply most fun for me.

Genoa/Venice is fun, as well Hungary, CS(due to roster and AOR units), late era Turks, maybe HRE, Byz simply due to large amount of different options.


What I try to avoid- artillery, standards, lots of heavy infantry(which are expensive and one dimensional) lots of heavy cavalry(which are expensive and rarely necessary with decent light cavalry available).

[Gogolometro]

Ichon have a point.
Like iberian I use a lot javelimens. Lot of them put on loose formation, in front, in many lines. They are cavalry breakers forever. They will absorb charge, fire javelins, and are good in melee too. Before enemy army go to spers they have no heavy units, even generals die like that. Can apply to bysantines versus islamic factions.
Like italians, once you access pavise militia, spears, gunners and crossbows, the cavalry can reduce their numbers to 2 or none. This mix destroy anything, except some mace units like imperial knight mounted or scolari. Still are very flexible, very cheap, and damn effective.
Like french, HRE, teutons, my ideea of cavalry, light, medium and heavy plus tons of spears/pikes/halebards is the best way to deal versus any armies.
Like defender of a city, castle, I tend to keep at least 1 magdonel and trebuchet, lot of xbows and some spears, many are better.
Nothing defend walls better than xbows if you know to use them. Who get pavise will be very happy. Classic, square formation, put far from ladder/siege tower, and fire all group at once. Can make to route 2 DFK units in this way. Heavi infantry are only like bait and fast intervention in hot points.
Dont abouse of archers, only if you dont have any other option. They have good morale brake factor, but low damage, only cheap militia/unarmored work well. Especially in east. They have no chance in close combats.

[Gogolometro]

Withfriend2, no, I not use any heavy infantry. Not deliberate, only if I need to fill the army with something, or I go to siege a city/castle. Why? First, because on the field are almost useless. A DFK or any other elite heavy/medium/light have no chance versus any cavalry unit. Only twohanders, axe/sword can be used like shock troops. Try any infantry with sword and shield in open field versus cavalry/skirmish. They will fail miserably. They are usefull in sieges like wall cleaners/defenders only. In open field, only is you use very favorable place, with missle cover you can get some kills. A charge will kill at least half of your units. So I preffer to charge myself, break enemy morale, kill how much I cand, retreat, charge second time, retreat and go behind and let spears absorbe enemy charge, use flaming arrows, guns to brake morale too, move spears to avoid full charge, counteratack, and finish with cavalry remaining. Plus I not use general, if is not a must.
Try bysantines with scoutatoi, acrites, toxotai, mourtadoi, scytion and some latinicon in this composition. Many, many batles will win, because you not add swordsman there.

[Paladin94610]

Army compositions on Byzantine roster,
In the early game,
Field Army
1) A general, if it is to be led by a captain, I use Mounted Acritae. They are fast, good melee SC, with no special abilities. So the space for special abilities will be filled with Rally Troops Ability on the field.
2) 5 Scoutatoi
3) 2 Scoutatoi Swordsmen (if they are not possible another two Scoutatoi will be added)
4) 2 Mounted Acritae
5) 4 Toxotae or Mourtatoi if available
6) 4 Stratiotoi
7) 2 native cavalry ( Magyar Cav., Turkish Horse Archers )

Garrison
1) Governor, Mounted Acritae
2) 13 Contaratoi
3) 4 Toxotae or Mourtatoi
5) 2 Javelin troop ( Acritae if possible, or better cost-effective native javelin men)

I have not tested late roster. So I cannot tell it.

[recentiy03]

What is the deal with the king's purse? It pays for free upkeep or something? How did you raise it?

[Caesar Clivus]

What is the deal with the king's purse? It pays for free upkeep or something? How did you raise it?

The kings purse is a set amount of money each faction receives each turn. It's determined by each faction's entry in the descr_strat.txt file. Changing it isn't savegame compatible so you can't change it mid-campaign.

[chrono672]

Mongols: 20 Horse archers, kills everything in the world

[chris7ian]

I love stacks with equal split of heavy cavalry and missile cavalry and a few light cavalry for the eventual route. I attack from each side with the heavy while I have the missiles harass enemy archers. When enemy heavies start to attack mine I pull out and have the missiles harass them.

I love poland for the above tactics. I normally play with HRE though so I use 2 HC 6 spear 4 hi and 8 archer/crossbows, 2 catapults, trebuchet in place of archers in sieges. For garrisons, 3 best available crossbows, 3 spear, 1 general, and one ballista. More spears if free upkeep allows. I normally build many forts and use the free upkeeps spaces for hi, hc, crossbows to aid settlements being besieged.

[chris7ian]

I hope those 13 contaratoi are free upkeep.

[Paladin94610]

I just raised my King Purse to 3000 instead of 2200. I hate large empires crippling fast. So I also increased HRE's king purse too. And contaratoi are quite cheap and low upkeep, 115 florins. It is just 2000 florin upkeep for a Large town. I have 3000 florins spared for core regions like Thessalonica, Athens, Smaryna, and change Rhodes and Nicosia into cities make more trade revenues. Plus the king purse, I can still feed them.