Tips for newbs - just add

[Amhazair]

I realise this is a very niche use, but I've recruited light cavalry to block/slow massed minotaur tramplers. Being size 3 with high defence they do a decent job at holding them.

[AreaOfEffect]

-Study the many magic spells in the game. Knowing the spells will have immediate results.

-You can display spells of a specific skill by pressing a single letter while studying the spell list. Press 'f' for fire, 'a' for air, 'w' for water, 'e' for earth, 's' for astral, 'n' for nature, and 'd' for death. Press the letter again to see all the spells. This will help narrow your reading.

-Spells of particular interest are those that boost your skill in battle, such as Summon Earthpower and Phoenix Power. Nearly all of these spells can be found in conjuration 3 or 4. They are important as they increase the spells available to you. However, it's best to research these spells after you have something worth while to cast.

-Try not to use alchemy in a MP game. If the game is large enough, then you can almost always make even trades for gems you want or sell your gems off for much more money. Besides, making trades is the first step to establishing good relations with your neighbors.

[NTJedi]

In regards to light cavalry from independents they overall have poor value. Look at the gold per unit ratio compared to buying a heavy infantry from independents.

You can buy either 20 light cavalry or 50 heavy infantry... running some tests will reveal the 50 heavy infantry will do better. If you have TONS of gold and very very few resources then you may need to choose the light cavalry of independents. The light cavalry from independents also do not carry any shields making them more vunerable to archers.

This is in regards to the games default and not the CBM mod which may have a different gold price.

[Dedas]

But heavy infantry isn't cavalry, they suck at fast flanking manoveurs. So just pitting them against eachother isn't fair.

[Ironhawk]

It is fair tho, Dedas, since you spend the same resource (gold) to get them.

[AreaOfEffect]

It isn't really a fair comparison. It's a gold heavy unit versus a resource heavy unit. It's important to remember that resource isn't a limitless supply. It also means that the units naturally have different strengths.

Heavy infantry are ideal against units that use light weapons, such as short swords and spears. They generally have shields and so they fare well against missile fire. Heavy infantry are made to beat light calvary, so the comparison is even less fair.

Light calvary generally come with bows, combined with their fast movement they become ideal for hit and run tactics. As mentioned before, they are great for raiding provinces.

Dominions is often a rock-paper-scissor game. This would become more apparent when you include barbarians into the equation. Barbarians often beat heavy infantry because they can overcome their protection and the infantry don't have missiles. Light calvary often beats barbarians cause they have bows and their higher defense works better then protection.

So please stop comparing.

[Ironhawk]

No, really, it is a fair comparison. The light cavalry argument has been played out in dominions many times by many people so I'm not going to counter again - just do a forum search.

[thejeff]

If flanking could work even semi reliably or if light cavalry could skirmish, firing and staying out of close combat, then it would be useful.

Once in a while cavalry well actually get past the front line and reach the unprotected rear, but far more often they'll close with the heavies in front and light cavalry gets slaughtered there.

Using light cavalry as archers is pointless, since you're paying a premium for troops that have no real advantage over cheap foot archers. Sure, light cavalry can beat barbarians because they've done some damage with their bows before the barbarians can close and the high defense helps them survive, but 4-5 times as many foot archers would have routed the barbarians before they closed.

I'll admit a fondness for some of the heavy archer units. LA T'ien Chi Cavalry and LA Man's Defenders come to mind.

[Dedas]

Oh, come on. If you know simple setup of units there is no big deal in achieving good flanking and slaughter of archers. Light cavalry is worth the price, but not if just throw them in the meat grinder that is centre front.

[Aezeal]

ehm could a moderator move this discussion to a new thread?
(or could you voluntarily continue it elsewhere)

this was not what I inteded.. it will kill the thread and I'm happy about how it was going (I learned a lot)

--> PS I did like to see jeff agreeing that flanking isn't reliable though (and IMHO light cav isn't worth it either)