Two quick questions

[Edi]

Yvelina said:
I know that the troop makeup of independants follows a few patterns. For example, crossbows+light infantry+heavy infantry, or two barbarian chiefs, leading barbarians.

Is there a document that describes these patterns?

Yes, in fact there is. Dom2_DB_Units, the unit database, which just got an updated Version released today. Available from the Magic Site DB thread and Arryn's site. There is one sheet in that which lists all independent poptypes, what number corresponds to which poptype for map file assignment, and it lists the units by name and ID number for all of them too. When I document something, I like to do a thorough job of it, and poptypes most definitely belong into the unit DB. That page has been in there for a long time.

Yvelina said:And, specifically, if my scouts report militia and light cavalries, what is the third unit type? Heavy cavalries?

Sometimes the third unit type is not reported if there are very few of them. Remember, the reports are inaccurate to the degree of between 50% and 200% of actual unit numbers.

This particular poptype is one of three possibilities:

• Poptype 51: Militia (30), Light cavalry (24) and Heavy Cavalry (20). This is option would be best for you, these are the most lightly armored Versions of all. The heavy cav is the one Arco has natively and the light cavalry has javelins, not short bows. An altogether useless poptype.
• Poptype 52: M(18), LCav(25) and HCav (19). This is the middle toughness one, prot 16 HCav with broad swords, the militia and LCav have around prot 8 and 5 respectively.
• Poptype 53: M(31), LCav (26) and HCav(21). You do NOT want these guys. The militia is as heavily armored as the better of the two LInf types, the LCav has Ring Mail and the HCav is the Prot 19 monster with morning stars (though by the report it sounds like there are maybe one or two of those.

Anyway, consult the DB, it should give you what you need.

Edi