Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Is there anything about being prophet that makes your commander less vulnerable to arrows? I know there's a +2 defense bonus, but that shouldn't help...

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Prophets are less vulnerable inside your dominion because of higher HP, plus any air bless if applicable, plus E9 bless if applicable.

But I'm pretty sure thejeff means starting commanders are less vulnerable to stray arrows than scouts.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

I think he's referring to the fact that most commanders have much better armor than scouts. And sometimes shields too.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

And remember that having a Magic-3 dominion can hurt you just as easily as it can help you in battle, for the same reasons.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

pp. 289-290 of the manual, but that's not an exhaustive list.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Don't recruit light cavalry. It's a sucker's bet.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Are you kidding, cleveland? If your race has no access to any cavalry and you don't have much resources in the region, I say recruit them. They are great if used properly, so put them on the flanks and let them rampage through archers and mages.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Even at the best of times I think light cav are unlikely to recoup their gold cost in terms of damage dealt. It's possible, but that's true of almost any unit.

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

Not to mention that how much position troops (and cavalry especially) to the sides and set them to attack rear they usually end up attacking the sides of the main body of troops advancing towards me. Very rarely teh actual rearmost units are reached

Re: Tips for newbs - just add
 

If you don't let the enemy advance first they will not attack the rear as the rear is still the enemies in the front rows. So the solution is to put them way back and set them to either hold and attack rear or guard commander, and then set the commander to holdx3-4 and attack rear. All depending on what enemy you face. Works pretty well if you do it right.

Light Cavalry are also good raiders and pillagers.