Dismounted Dvor (and heavy infantry "archers" in general)

[Somerandomdude2]

How do you guys use these?

Personally, they are first and foremost an infantry unit and will only rarely use their bows (if they can't get to a fight in time, or I need flaming arrows, or they're on walls).

Their biggest shortcoming is that in most fights you really have to choose between using them at range or for melee; if you try both, they'll get tired and slaughtered in melee. - I actually don't know what kind of penalties, other than speed, they take from fatigue; but I'm certain they're far less effective.

As a side note, archers without AP missiles or stakes aren't units I want in my armies, so these guys serve as heavy infantry, who happen to be decent with a bow and carry one just in case circumstances are right for it's use.

[goro]

decent??they kick ass.my favourite russian unit.put them behind lines to shoot and when you engage in meelee with your main infantry use them to change the balance

[shikaka]

I like archers who can do _something_ when they run out of arrows.

If I play the Rus, the Dvors provide a good cover for muskets. Muskets first row, Dvors second, then Dvors go to the first row when the enemy is near.

Also, they are the best there is on walls!

[Somerandomdude2]

decent??they kick ass.my favourite russian unit.put them behind lines to shoot and when you engage in meelee with your main infantry use them to change the balance

What infantry are they supporting?

In vanilla at least, they are your equal best melee infantry. Only thing your other infantry has on them is cheaper upkeep (150 vs 225). They don't really fit into a support infantry roll, or, are overkill for it.

And use them as archers and they fatigue, then fight.

[goro]

russian infantry units depend on the effective against armour skill.they are suited for attacking not defending.they dont have the knights other factions have.

[Silverheart]

Russian footmen are well adapted for an offensive strategy, like advancing with missiles and then charging everything to chock the enemy.
I use the Dvors for what they are - Archers who can defend themselves.
I put them in front line (or supporting artillery) and on walls, and only retreat them from cavalry charges (in which case I always have some Spearmen to take them on). They are good skirmishing with other archers and have the skills to hold their ground.
So yeah, they´re pretty awesome. In castle defenses, Russian don´t even need knights - they have a better option: a unit that is cheaper, can fire missile weapons against enemies below the walls, and hold their ground once the enemies get on the walls.