Uses of Indie Soldiers?

[Spacepain]

Asides from the sage, which is the best unit for researching magic in the game, what other Indies are of any use?

I've heard mention of indies several others times as a mean for some nations to expand during the early game, however, Its remained a mystery how you go about doing it, and why.

First of why use indies to expand, almost always your own troops are better, higher moral, attack, defense etc. and you can build your troops faster because of the fortress located in the provinence.

Secondly, how do you build the indies in sufficient quantities to make them of any use? There aren't any fortifications so production can be very slow 2 or 3 units per turn.

[PvK]

Most of them are useful, though not to everyone, and not always. Some of them offer some things that some nations don't have. Some are good because they are cheap or require few resources so they can be hurriedly hired and sent to absorb fireballs etc. Many of them are good enough that they're useful because of where they are, or because you don't have the gold or resources to only build your favorite units. Some of them are very good and useful to almost anyone.

If you want to build a lot of a particular one, build a fort with a good administration value at their location (then conquer all adjacent provinces if you want even more).

PvK

[Kel]

Well, I am a self admitted noob but I think most of them are not particularly useful, except in rare circumstances (like needing an arrow catcher, *any* arrow catcher).

There are definitely more than sages, though. I almost always use indie scouts in the early game since I can only produce one commander per turn in my fort. Longbows and xbows are useful for most nations. Some others I only use with a few limited nations (for example, with BF Ulm, I use the cav commanders that have better leadership than my nationals ).

Pretty much all standard indie infantry (I am not talking about special site indies like mages) is pretty useless, imo (possibly excepting the 10/10 LI with the javelins). Yes, if you find yourself without an arrow catcher or you want emergency PD recruiting, they are...well, I can't bring myself to actually say 'useful' but they are a lesser evil

Just one noob's opinion !

- Kel

[Psitticine]

Amazons of various types can be quite useful, as can Druids, Lizard Shaman (well, kinda), Knights, and a number of others. They sometimes offer something you don't have (like a different form of magic or the strength/speed combo of a knight) or can be important reinforcements for armies too far from other sources to be bolstered with national troops.

The various Wizards, Illusionists, Witches, and so forth add a lot of variety to what you can field. Don't overlook them!!!

[Taqwus]

Raptors might be useful, at least until storms are around -- they're cheap in both gold and resources IIRC and provide a slightly useful raiding force.
Amazons and druids provide magic which might not be readily found on national mages.
The Hidden Kingdom of Elludia and the Grey Tower are two magical sites to take a gander at.
Shamblers let you go underwater, and Tritons let you defend your new holdings more easily.

[Taqwus]

Ah, lizard shamans. They make decent communicants for nations without a cheaper one -- not Pythium or R'lyeh (well, Star Children can't be recruited inland, IIRC so even R'lyeh might find them useful).