Well, since this thread is here and all.
I'm not sure if everyone complaining about the Spider Knights gave them a fair shake. The one time I played Machaka, my main army ended up with 2 flank squads of about 12 Knights apiece, and I rarely had to send replacements. I wouldn't say they are "better" once the rider dies, I had minor complaints about that, but the value of that web with 20+ Knights in a battle, cannot be praised enough. Perhaps against someone who has enormous hordes of cheap chaff, but the Knights will probably just dominate them in melee, just as the hoplites will.
I kind of like Machaka, I might look to try them in MP soon, after hearing about the Fever Fetish trick.
