Best Army under 10,000 florins?

**Syntax Error** · November 24, 2006, 10:31 PM

Just wondering what you guys feel is the most effective fighting force in 10,000 florins.

For me, in 10,000 florins (the usual cap on most games), I use (Byzantine Empire):
x5 Latinkon
x5 Varangian Guard
x4 Imperial Guard Archers
x6 Vardiaritoi

The Vardiaritoi is sorta the ace-up-the-sleeve, as they're pretty damned good in melee. The Latinkon is the initial charge machine while the Varangian Guard is called in to finish enemies off. Archers do what archers do, but they're not half bad as infantrymen if need be.

So, what do you guys use in 10,000 florins? If you have other loadouts, please specify under what amount of florins it barely makes it under.

**Sard** · November 24, 2006, 11:15 PM

I don't have the game open (on my laptop) but the Milanese can make some cheap, nasty armies. Although I dont do any MP, for the campaign, how about 8x Genose Militia Crossbowmen, 8x Italian Spear Militia, 2x Militia Cavalry, 1x Balista and your general. The Italian Spear Militia/Militia Xbow men combo is a brutally effective and cheap army. The units complement each other well, are free to upkeep in cities, can be made in just about every city and perform well against just about any army configuration (they do esp well against cav archer heavy races like Byz/Turks imo).

**vikrant** · November 25, 2006, 01:23 AM

moved to battle planning

**the_mango55** · November 25, 2006, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Syntax Error

Just wondering what you guys feel is the most effective fighting force in 10,000 florins.

For me, in 10,000 florins (the usual cap on most games), I use (Byzantine Empire):
x5 Latinkon
x5 Varangian Guard
x4 Imperial Guard Archers
x6 Vardiaritoi

Hmm, I just opened up the game, and I don't know how you are getting that army for 10,000. It shows almost 15 thousand for me.

**Mythos** · November 26, 2006, 12:22 AM

Also, why even bother with infantry. Especially Varangians. They are not that great. They have some crazy stats but they lose to much worse units. You could have a couple for attacking armored and engaged units. For Byzantium I prefer all-cavalry armies. 1/4 HC 3/4 HA.

**Revan The Great** · November 26, 2006, 12:27 AM

If you're going for an all-around army it's important to have infantry for several reasons.

1. Seiges

2. A solid infantry line can provide a safe zone, or a fallback point for your cavalry

3. You won't have to rely on a hail of arrows to break your oppenant's massed spearmen that he bought in anticipating of your 100% cavalry army.

**Dionysuis** · November 26, 2006, 12:56 PM

Well my for any Byzantine Multiplayer army I try to have a flexible force with both infantry and cavalry.

2X Kataphroctoi they are devastating when charging
1X latinkoi
1X Byzantine Lancers

This cavalry force while small cn stand up well to other cavalry and then I bring in my very strong infantry force.

4X Dis Latinkoi
3X Varagnian Guard
3X Dis Lancers
4X Byz infantry.

However I am going to start expermenting with a more cavalry orieted force with lots of vardortoi.