Lusotanna and their skirmisher and light infantry heavy armies

[The Kybrothilian]

I am playing out a Lusotanna campaign now, and I wish to make full use of all the units that they have in their roster. As it happens, the roster is full of skirmishers and light infantry, who have lots of javelins and good ambush capabilities. Add in some dependable heavy infantry and resourceful cavalry and you got it. Now, how to use these units to their full potential? How to effectively wield an army depending mainly on skirmishing and ambush? Any suggestions for formations, tactics and strategies?

[Boriak]

I suggest you use ambushes.

You could have a small army (preferably cavalry so it is faster) bating your enemy ont a path where you have an ambush in place. You can't conquer cities with ambushes so you will still have to use some infantry. My advice is to have a small amount of high class infantry and a myriad of skirmishers. Goad your enemy to attack your infantry line (one unit at a time, if possible) and then swing around with your skirmishers so you can unload all the ordnance into unprotected backs. Then use your light cavalry to mop up the routers.

[Entropy Judge]

(Theorycrafting) Make the core of your army Heavier units that can stand toe-to-toe with the enemy (say, 4-6 units); have a couple (2-3) Curisi - you don't need Lanceari, really - to scout, run down enemy cavalry, and perform charges. The rest of your army will be Light to Medium ... and once you get into battle, Hide them. Remember, a lot of your units have the "Hide in Long Grass" ability (Ambakaro, Caetrannan, Loricati Caetrati, Gaesammica, Iabarannta, Iovannta, Callaecae Roscaithrera, Milites Ilergetum, LORICATI SCUTARI, Cantabrae Eponereidam and Iberi Caetrati Eponareidam) ... heck, just keep your general in the back, a bunch of units - including your heaviest Factional Infantry! - hiding at the flanks in Forests and Long Grass and when the enemy crosses their line of skirmish, pop out, run forward, and pelt them with Javelins and Soliferrum. You'll get Morale Shocks from outflanking them, from appearing out of nowhere, and from massive casualties, so - particularly if you're lucky enough to outnumber them - you should be able to force a rout pretty quickly.

Edit: Oh, I forgot: Iberi Curisi *can* hide in Long Grass as well. Yeah. Blinged out Infantry and one of the best Shock cavalry in Europe can both hide in Long Grass. At least Lanceari are limited to hiding in Forests ....

[Frtigern]

I usually have a majority skirmishing army for homeland security waiting some forest for celts, romans or cathaginians to get surprised. A lot of light cavalry and balearic slingers are included too. For attacking cities those light spearmen are good bang for the buck. Numbers over melee ability.

[athanaric]

If you want a more conventional force, use Scortamareva, Scurtari, Loricati Scutari, Milites Ilergetum, Dunaminica, and Clona Tekonac as core units. They are also good for storming cities (together with Ambakaro of course), and - the axemen in particular - for taking on armoured enemies (which is mst of the time when you face proper Roman or Carthaginian armies).

[Durnaug]

EJ is a great propagandist for the Lusotannians - I definitely want to try that faction.

NB: first time I landed in Iberia with my "glorious" KH hoplite army I was almost destroyed by all those frickin' light troops. We hadn't learned one lesson from the Pelop war ;-)

[athanaric]

EJ is a great propagandist for the Lusotannians - I definitely want to try that faction.

NB: first time I landed in Iberia with my "glorious" KH hoplite army I was almost destroyed by all those frickin' light troops. We hadn't learned one lesson from the Pelop war ;-)

I know that feeling. Shoulda used more Peltasts and Cretan Archers...

[Durnaug]

I know that feeling. Shoulda used more Peltasts and Cretan Archers...

One of the most punishing and humiliating battles I have had with the AI. Totally friggin' frustrating, even just remembering it. I did not reload the save but accepted the slaughter (i.e. although I "won" the battle there was nothing left of my army with which to conquer).

[seleucid empire]

i know how you feel man, heavy infantry counts for nothing against their bloody light infantry

In one of my first world domination attempts as seleukids I lost 3 units of TABs cause I couldnt get them out in time and their light troops ran circles around me.

I had to import those from Syria too :/