Feudal men at arms - who needs them!

[Arrowmaker]

I am really dissappointed with the performance of my Feudal men at arms they seem so weak, even spearmen and especially Saracens are giving my Holy Roman Feudal Men at arms a right bashing. Please explain someone aren't they meant to be a cut above your base troops?

[econ21]

Well, IIRC, Feudal Men at Arms in the game are classified by CA as just normal quality - the Chivalrics are "good" (ie +1 to attack). The mail of the FMAA gives them a major advantage over unarmoured troops like spearmen and Feudal sergeants etc. However, Saracens are equally well armoured. That leaves only the advantage of the sword against the spear. In the game, that is considerable but somewhat offset by the difference in the unit size (60 vs 100). Bottomline: use the Feudals as flankers against the enemy spears while you tie up them frontally with your own and they will not disappoint.

[Stormer]

one of my favorite unit, careful what you say http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[ICantSpellDawg]

I NEED THEM

[Swamp Thing]

Dare not insult the FMAA

They form the bulk of my army.

I use them to tie down the enemy whilst my own heavy cavalry takes them in the rear.

They are not as numerous as spearmen, but are tougher, last longer even against cavalry, and generally offer a greater range of uses.

[71-hour Ahmed]

I use spears to hold up the enemy, hit the flanks with FMAA or the chivalric kind, them pursue with cavalry archers and heavy cavalry, when fighting as catholics.

so they work well as flank chewer upers. Their size is also good as they can get in between the spear units.

[lonewolf371]

They don't last longer when cavalry charge *through* their flank, and even in a frontal charge an equally valourous cavalry unit will route them. They are, however, supposed to be adept at routing enemy foot soldiers, namely those who are pole-armed.