Originally posted by AThousandYoungl agree with No1's suggested ratios - l like to use Cav as shock weapon not as a core force (the expense is too great as ATY said)
I don't like cavalry. They're expensive and crappy for defending forts and naval/amphibious combat. I'm big on HP also. Something like a 75/25 mix of infantry/archers is my style.
Cavalry do have their place, but I consider them a specialty unit and not a core unit.
They are also useful for the quick attack to capture key provinces.
2 edits
The thing about cavalry and archers is that if you play right they'll rarely die. However infantry will die, often. Therefore in the long run it makes sense to invest more money in infantry than in damage units. With no1's ratio one ends up with a force with tremendous Combat but few HP later in the game; that is, the composition of one's forces does not stay constant because the damage units accumulate but the infantry units keep dying.
Forces with few infantry troops are less useful because generally fights are between unequal forces. A couple battles which you win will deplete an army's infantry and then you will become afraid to use that army because you'll lose expensive troops if you do.
The best use of cavalry in my opinion is when your territory becomes very large and you need to be able to concentrate your forces at any one point quickly. However, even in that case, ships can substitute for the horses to some extent, and you'll need infantry at every border to shield the cavalry when it gets there.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungC'mon ATY; as the infantry gets killed, you just build it: it's cheaper and faster to replace. And sometimes you have to fight big battles and lose all the units in a force to wear down your opponent if you have overall superiority. And cavalry can attack in the second phase from two provinces away which makes it really useful when you have the central position against two enemies. Without a decent sized cavalry force, your army's movements are much more predictable.
The thing about cavalry and archers is that if you play right they'll rarely die. However infantry will die, often. Therefore in the long run it makes sense to invest more money in infantry than in damage units. With no1's ratio one ends up with a force with tremendous Combat but few HP later in the game; that is, the composition of one's forces does ...[text shortened]... extent, and you'll need infantry at every border to shield the cavalry when it gets there.
4 edits
Originally posted by no1marauderC'mon ATY; as the infantry gets killed, you just build it: it's cheaper and faster to replace.
C'mon ATY; as the infantry gets killed, you just build it: it's cheaper and faster to replace. And sometimes you have to fight big battles and lose all the units in a force to wear down your opponent if you have overall superiority. And cavalry can attack in the second phase from two provinces away which makes it really useful when you have the central p ...[text shortened]... emies. Without a decent sized cavalry force, your army's movements are much more predictable.
I took that into account with my 75:25 ratio. It sounds like you're saying you buy 50(+ extra):25:25. Or do you mean you try to keep a 50:25:25 ratio in the field? I understood you to mean you spend those ratios of your gold on those units, but I may have been mistaken.
In any case, often an army ends up a distance from one of your own major production centers, which means that replacing losses won't work because the replacements will be a distance behind the army and the army will need to stop to wait for them to catch up.
And sometimes you have to fight big battles and lose all the units in a force to wear down your opponent if you have overall superiority.
An intelligent opponent generally won't fight big battles where he is at a disadvantage either in the battle or in general. When you're at a disadvantage, the best strategy is to avoid exchanging material.
If I were facing two opponents, I'd avoid cavalry in order to get the biggest bang for my buck. I would feel I couldn't afford to buy units which were expensive for the HP or CS they provided since that would put me at further disadvantage. Your strategy makes sense also however.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungAhh the respect you show is admirable :-)
Nothing too exciting in the south. I don't know much about your neighborhood, Holy One.
My area is usually a peaceful one. My neighbours are the law abiding type.
It appears l shall have to wait a few hours before finding out.
Lords Oda, Asakura, Uesugi? can you she any light for a poor (but enlightened!) soul?
Originally posted by nook7Actually, as it turns out, there is something rather exciting in the south. My enemy seems to have sold his capitol.
Ahh the respect you show is admirable :-)
My area is usually a peaceful one. My neighbours are the law abiding type.
It appears l shall have to wait a few hours before finding out.
Lords Oda, Asakura, Uesugi? can you she any light for a poor (but enlightened!) soul?
Originally posted by AThousandYoungSold his capital?????
Actually, as it turns out, there is something rather exciting in the south. My enemy seems to have sold his capitol.
What price do you get for that l wonder. l actually would rather keep my capital. l find it useful for building troops and getting revenue!
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThere is a certain Royalty to the calm serene temple surrounds.
You're Royal, Holy One? I thought the Ikko Ikki were as far from Royal as one could possibly get!
Some have said l have majesty...
The Ikko Ikki are the keepers of the true (royal) way of the warrior - we seek to become one with buddha through honourable death in battle.