Guide to playing Patala competitively

[WraithLord]

Good suggestion. (I think it was already made earlier in this thread.)

I also found that markata units do have their uses. For one their small size allows them to swarm larger enemies, secondly they have high defense, meaning as long as they're not under direct enemy arrow fire they tend to bring relatively good results (for 5g units).
For example, in some of my test games I've seen the markata archers stop and handle a charge of a group of knights. This feat was repeated several times in my tests.

[Lingchih]

WraithLord said:
Good suggestion. (I think it was already made earlier in this thread.)

I also found that markata units do have their uses. For one their small size allows them to swarm larger enemies, secondly they have high defense, meaning as long as they're not under direct enemy arrow fire they tend to bring relatively good results (for 5g units).
For example, in some of my test games I've seen the markata archers stop and handle a charge of a group of knights. This feat was repeated several times in my tests.

It makes sense to me. A huge group of little monkeys attack a knight charge... monkeys everywhere, and you can't lance the damn things cause they are too quick. They jump on you, jump on your horse, claw it's eyes out, and then the Knight is down on the ground, while the markatas are ripping his armor off and tearing his throat out.

[Psycho]

Markatas couldn't possibly kill a knight no matter what their number is. They have 5 strength and a damage 3 weapon, that cannot bypass knights armor. They can stop the knights though and take those lance hits, so some more expensive troops don't get hit with them.

Devala has auto Celestial music in the battle, which is battlefield wide quickness for the sacreds (well at least the summoned ones, not sure about the nagas).

[thejeff]

Strength 5, a damage 3 weapon and open ended die rolls. Lots of them since they're six to a square. They'll do damage if there are enough of them.

[Endoperez]

thejeff said:
Strength 5, a damage 3 weapon and open ended die rolls. Lots of them since they're six to a square. They'll do damage if there are enough of them.

They won't do much before the knights are fatigued, though. Critical hits from fatigue will help a lot, of course.

[Psycho]

If they place enough hits some will go through eventually. But they won't place enough hits because they will route too soon. Markatas have a big problem with routing.

[llamabeast]

I once started an MP game as Kailasa, with the plan to focus almost exclusively on markata using Strength of Giants to make them into killing machines.

Unfortunately (largely due to bad luck, I claim!), I was out of the game by turn 11.

[WraithLord]

Regarding Markatas, in my tests they met the knights in one of two ways:
1. In front and to the side I put a decoy squad to take arrows (whatever monkey with shields will do). Then I put a squad of Marakata in middle to hold the charge of enemy knights. Last, heavy duty killers finish knights (elephants mainly, but blessed Nagas work, Bandars as well).

2. Unexpected and most fun. I put squads of Markata archers to the sides and rear. It so happens that sometimes knights choose to go after them instead of charging the middle squad. The archers stop the knights with little losses for a few turns. Until killer squad arrives.

Oh and one last note about this, It works with (or rather vs.) Vans as well. Its a nice, unexpected, way to hold melee units.

Not related - The Devala Celestial music sounds awesome. Thanks for the info.