Unit Composition

[Madmonkey24]

I've never seen a thread discussing this. Has anyone figured out what the best unit composition is? Is there any variety in choice?

 

[Kasimal]

Well I think the best composition is an army of heavy infantry and nothing else. Heavy infantry is just strong, cheap, can be improved by ideas and laws and so be the best choice.
Such an army can be beaten by an army of mounted archers though, though you won't see such an army very often.

It may be possible, for some country to use cavalry/mounted archers only. Thoug I'm quite unsure, if an army of militia only wouldn't be much cheaper and would beat the cavalry army by masses.

I'm no big fan of combined armies, such armies like heavy infantry + archers + cavalry. I think if you concentrate your ideas and laws on heavy infantry, your heavy infantry army will simply be better than such a combined one.

 

[Madmonkey24]

What about elephants? Are they actually worth the cost, or just a useless, expensive regiment?

 

[Sute]{h]

It depends on what kind of army you face. Against everything but heavy infantry elephants rock. Personally I use combined arms. Heavy inf flanked by cavalry and supported by archers.

 

[Kasimal]

What about elephants? Are they actually worth the cost, or just a useless, expensive regiment?

Well I think elephants are not worth their money. They are worth their manpower though. So if you don't know where to spend your huge amounts of money, elephants are a good choice. But as long, as you can spend your money on useful buildings (which does not include palisades and temples) you shouldn't build elephants.
Elephants you got from start on or gotten by gift, should be kept though.