Tips for newbs - just add

[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)

[DonCorazon]

Need to bid high for mercenaries in MP - its not like SP where you can get them for just a buck or two over the asking price.

Watch your supplies - starving units have heavy morale penalties. You can click a unit and push S to grab any starving units. Use that to separate them from the rest of your army and/or to send them somewhere with enough supplies to feed them before they start getting diseased. Be especially careful with large units like elephants.

Try and get astral mages to accompany your armies. You need them in the mid to late game to protect yourself from getting Mind Hunted.

Realize at some point your conventional troops will be less important than SCs and powerful mages. You should have some strategy for getting SCs, such as Tartarians and Elemental Royalty.

If you are playing against a nation with assassins, protect your commanders with bodyguards.

[NTJedi]

The light calvary from independents has been discussed on the forums as Ironhawk has mentioned and the majority agree their cost is too high within the official game.

4 in any magic path for your pretender gives your blessed units a special bonus.

Play large maps with VP provinces so the game can finish within a more realistic timeframe.