[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Usually when people make comparisons between hvy and lite armored units, then say the lite units are worthless.. its because they are using the lite units exactly the same way they use the hvy units. In that case it only becomes a comparison of things like cost and armor rating. I think there are times when hvy units would be a waste. Patrols, flanking, covering many provinces on the map instead of having an army in every province, and fatigue?

Light units tend to be much more specialized than heavies. The extra cost of heavies also tends to come from resources rather than gold: As gold cost is commonly the limiting factor, and the determinant of upkeep costs, light units really have no advantage over heavies, upkeep-wise. As a result, in MOST cases, it tends to be better to go for heavier units. In specific, specialized cases, light units are a better choice, but most of the time, the heavies are the way to go.

This tends to match the pattern I've seen playing other games: Most of the time, heavier is better, unless you're skilled enough to understand exactly when, why, and how, to use light units.