Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

There was an idea somewhere that pikemen could be represented by block units: i.e., 1 model representing, say, 4 pikemen and having Size 3, with #secondshape representing losses (3 pikemen unit having size 3 and 1-2 size 2). This would both protect them somewhat from tramplers and allow higher concentration of attacks against individual opponents (of any size). (this started as making individual pikemen Size 1 for better concentration, but vulnerability for tramplers was considered too great in such variant).
Another idea was to give them animal awe and make all cavalry of animal type (penalty they would get for sieges are thematic, but there is possible weirdness with some spell effects).

Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

OMG. Not another post in the realm of the longbow vs. crossbow vein. Please let it end.

I'm sorry. Really, I am sorry.

Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

Early age isn't the only era with giants. Jotunheim in Middle and Late doesn't have Niefels, Ashdod will use giant troops a lot as well, and there are some size 3 units with a single attack and no trample that pikes work against. Well, at least I think so: Pale Ones of Agartha aren't used much above water, Minotaurs trample, size 3 Abysians have high prot and often dual-wield, Caelians lose in melee any way... Perhaps Shamblers or Cave Men or other easily massable independent big hitters.

Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

It's extremey strange not to be able to repel tramplers : are elephants or minotaurs magically immune to pointy stuffs they crash on?

Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

Changing repel to work vs tramplers would necessitate a LOT of other changes to avoid wrecking the balance of the game.

Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

Since trample by it's nature would be lenght 0.. It could always be repelled. (unless the unit has an AWESOME PRESENCE (tm) like me then you can trample pplz 10 feet away :D)

btw you can also repel with blunt weapons :D

Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

Hmmmm. I think if Trample were subject to Repel, it would mostly be a matter of increasing Morale for Trampling units. Yes, it negates the major disadvantage of elephants, for example, but since being subject to a Repel check causes damage, you will still have to carry significant numbers, or they will just chew themselves to pieces on the pikes.

Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

Not true. Don't knock Pikes vs. Giants until you've tried it.

Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

Well, I took Dedas' advice regarding the pikeman. I started a game as MA Ulm, and have been building them almost exclusively. I suppose I'm something of a convert now, at least when it comes to fighting indies. I was very surprised at the lack of attrition against archers, even with the chainmail pikes. The black plate pikes are just as invulnerable as all of Ulm's troops. The 2 extra HPs on all of Ulm's infantry also helps. I will say though that I would be somewhat more cautious with them in LA when crossbow indies are so much more prevalent.

Re: Pike vs Cavalry
 

I'm glad you tried it, Trumanator! I myself think that learning new things about this wonderful game is a whole level of fun just by itself. So maybe we will meet on the field of battle some day and become even wiser?