Units seldom used.

[Sandman]

I've never seen any need to recruit horse brothers. They move fast, but only 8 precision?

Black acolytes for Iron Faith Ulm don't seem to be particularly useful. They're cheap, but that's the only thing going for them. It would be nice if they were stealthy, like some other low level priests.

[fahdiz]

Originally posted by Sandman:
I've never seen any need to recruit horse brothers. They move fast, but only 8 precision?

Luckily, that has no impact on game balance, since no nation starts with Horse Brothers.

Black acolytes for Iron Faith Ulm don't seem to be particularly useful. They're cheap, but that's the only thing going for them. It would be nice if they were stealthy, like some other low level priests.

Cheap priests are never, ever a bad thing. Especially if you're up against Ermor.

[Gandalf Parker]

Horse Brothers can be good for Fire&Flee tactics making a gauntlet. A small army of them can harrass a larger army keeping it from making its moves.

Usually when people make comparisons between hvy and lite armored units, then say the lite units are worthless.. its because they are using the lite units exactly the same way they use the hvy units. In that case it only becomes a comparison of things like cost and armor rating. I think there are times when hvy units would be a waste. Patrols, flanking, covering many provinces on the map instead of having an army in every province, and fatigue?

[Pirateiam]

Horse Brothers are great for patrols. Faster speed of untit = better patroling. I usually build a small army of 24 and use it as a running patrol army to knock down unrest and as Gandulf stated - When a large army invades just use it to harass the enemy (use up gems etc...) until you large army arrives.

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Originally posted by fahdiz:
Cheap priests are never, ever a bad thing. Especially if you're up against Ermor.

In theory yes. But you can recruit the same kind of priests from independent provinces and recruit more useful leaders in your castles, so having Black Priests as a national unit isn't really helpful.

[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Usually when people make comparisons between hvy and lite armored units, then say the lite units are worthless.. its because they are using the lite units exactly the same way they use the hvy units. In that case it only becomes a comparison of things like cost and armor rating. I think there are times when hvy units would be a waste. Patrols, flanking, covering many provinces on the map instead of having an army in every province, and fatigue?

Light units tend to be much more specialized than heavies. The extra cost of heavies also tends to come from resources rather than gold: As gold cost is commonly the limiting factor, and the determinant of upkeep costs, light units really have no advantage over heavies, upkeep-wise. As a result, in MOST cases, it tends to be better to go for heavier units. In specific, specialized cases, light units are a better choice, but most of the time, the heavies are the way to go.

This tends to match the pattern I've seen playing other games: Most of the time, heavier is better, unless you're skilled enough to understand exactly when, why, and how, to use light units.

[tinkthank]

Hey what a great thread. Wauthan, you are excellent; I wanted to ask very similar questions, but yours are more precise. I'd also like to add 2 or three to the list.

- Pertaining to the question on Humanbreds: Does anybody *ever* play "Blood of Humans" on Abysia, and if so -- why? With all other "special themes" of the other nations, there are either new and different neato troops or certain drawbacks and new advantages. But what is the deal with BoH? I find it the only theme to be somewhat flavorless, and I see no new goodies in it except more ... humanbreds and less ... demonbreds. But why would I want that?

- People have already pointed out that Humanbreds make ok bodyguards; I'd just like to say "yes", and name the reason: they dont radiate heat, which will otherwise kill your Druids and other recruited commanders, as well as your non-fire-proof pretender, should you have one.

- Salamanders can be ok for clearing out weako indies with lots and lots of militia or soulless or something else. Unfortunately, they still die nicely to a stray arrow, and their moral is nothing to shout about. And they are not particularly useful against human opponents. And their upkeep makes me cry. If only their upkeep were reduced, I would make them. If they were sacred, say, for +X (15?) gold, would that be a cool mod? Or otherwise keep as is and make them -X (-20?) gold?

- villians: if anyone made a mod which made villians interesting, I would be grateful. Conceivably they would have to be re-nerfed for Black Forest however?

- I would like to use spider riders, but never have, because I also cant see their raison d'etre.

- I also havent figured out how to use Einheres and Skinshifters well, but that's just me.

- Horsemen (Spring and Autumn), I started a thread on these guys a while back, but also didnt receive any responses hinting at their great potential. 8 Precision for 30 gold and otherwise light cav stats.