yes conquest is hard when your whole army vanishes after the first battle 
Javelins could be an option for some sort of ranged attacks
Maybe make nomads with scimitars and nomads with scimitars and javelins (how much throwing options do pplz with javs usually get in vanilla?)
 
		
	
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
				__________________
				Want a blend of 
fantasy and 
sci-fi? Try the total conversion 
 Dominions 3000  mod  with a new and fully modded solar system map.
Dragons wanted? Try the 
Dragons, Magic Incarnate nation.
New and different undead nation? Try 
Souls of Shiar. Including new powerfull holy magic.
In for a whole new sort of game? Then try my scenario map 
 Gang Wars.