Fav unit/tactic [Archive]

Mr Frost

01-27-2003, 12:49

A ballanced all-arms army which I keep fairly cohesive in formation using the best/most advanced units I can build with that faction in that era . I only take more than 16 units when I wish to have specialist units {like Alan cav if the enemy chances to have put a catapult in the province prior to the fight ; compared to Kats , Feudals , Armenians , Chivs etc , Alans are a specialist unit in my opinion} or the enemy has a huge number of decent units {then I might bring two stacks} .
I usually only maneuver in wide flanking moves {once I am in a good possition and the enemy is close} with my cavalry . I shower the enemy with arrows for as long as is reasonably possible and when the enemy is vunerable I hit him with the best matchup of units I can manage {spears on spears or cavalry , swords on spears , vikings or Varangians on just about anyone} and flank my heavy cavalry to hit their rear then chase them off the map and camp their reserves' spawn point {fun when you have Naptha throwers in units of 60 , though large Naptha throwers are more fun holding bridges http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif} .

Some example difinitive armies of mine : Early French/English -4 Feudals though 1 {general} might be a Royal Knight {Prince or Ex-prince} , 4 Feudal Sergents , 2 Feudal Men at Arms , 2 Militia Sergents and four Feudal Bowmen {a mod of a unit made by Lord Krazy : sort of a semi professional upgrade of Archers as Feudal Sergents are an upgrade of ordinary Spears} .
Early Turkish : 4 Armenian Cavalry from Armenia {=1 Valour thus about as powerful as Feudals/2 Royals} though 1 is often replaced by a Ghulam Bodyguard Prince for the General , 4 Turcoman Foot , 4 Saracen Infantry , 2 Gazi Infantry and 2 Turcoman {I modded them melee 2 and honour 0 which makes them more like I invisage them from the parchment and more useful in flanking melee} .
Byzantine 4 Kataphractoi , 4 Byzantine Infantry {60/unit with melee 3 , defense 4$ , armour 5$ and moral 2} , 2 Saracen Infantry {modded for Byzantium becauses I wanted it so http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif with melee 0/1 , defense 4/8$ , armour 5$ , moral 2 and diciplined} , 2 Varangians , 4 Trebizond Archers {from Trebizond then upgraded in Constantinople} or 2 Trebizonds and 2 Byzantine Cavalry {with composite bows modded from the ninjastar stat .... Turcomen and others have them also} .
High French : 4 Chivalric Knights {1 perhaps Royal general instead} , 4 Chivalric Sergents , 2 Chivalric Men at Arms , 2 Halberdiers , 4 Pavise Crossbows {I mod Arbs for late only} .

I like my armies to look good http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

A.Saturnus

01-27-2003, 13:18

Since I`m playing Turks, it`s JHI, these guys are robots Another I like is the hammer/anvil tactic with spearmen and heavy cav; I think you can imagine http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Jxrc

01-27-2003, 18:04

Against the AI, I always use the same tactics.

A wall of spearmen (something like 800 men) that engages all the AI fighting units. Then go around the melee with whatever is available (MAA, cavalry, Vikings) and charge from the rear and flanks ... Note very imaginative but efficient unless the spearmen rout too soon (usually happen only early in the game).

I never use peasants except for garrison purposes since they rout way too easily.

Usually any kind of spearmen available and a few fast cavalry units do the trick.

Lately I just built the ultimate HRE army just for the last battle of the game:

- 6 Swiss armoured pikemen;
- 2 gothic sergeants;
- 4 harquebusiers;
- 4 gothic knights.

Really easy win against anything the Russian could then marshal: a few boyars, 300 urban militiamen and 1000 peasants...

DemonArchangel

01-28-2003, 02:06

DemonArchangel's Favs (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=5401;st=0;r=1;&#entry66722)

That would show you both my fav unit and tactics.

Edit: converted URL to a link - Gregoshi

Brutal DLX

01-28-2003, 10:59

My favourite unit is probably the plain MAA, I don't know why, but they are essential to all my armies.

My favourite tactic is probably a frontal cavalry charge (I said favourite, not most effective..hehe), it's nice to see the enemy tremble when my knights line up for the charge.

Tempiic

01-28-2003, 15:42

I've fallen in love with mameluk horse archers. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Main reason why i play regularly (though not mainly) egyptians online

kaaskop

01-28-2003, 16:50

halberd in sp ,because its easy to fix their morale with churches ,etc and they are good versus almost everything

berber camel in mp they always suprise my foes when they
rout knights

right enough of this silly posting and give me my new avatar http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

kataphraktoi

01-29-2003, 06:48

Varangian Guards.

They pave the way literally with dead bodies for my Kataphraktoi to deliever a crushing blow whether its a head on charge or a flank attack.

I'v sent Varangian Guards to destroy a whole wave of Chivalric Knights leaving metal deposits of armour in the hillside.

My fav tactic is place the VG in the first line, when appraoching the enemy I just use the plain old charge.
They hold up more than unit meaning they leave an open flank bwahahahaha murderously good loyal guards they are.

rasoforos

01-29-2003, 06:55

varangian guards for me as well. there is nothing out there to stop these guys...
also like bilmen , their versatility makes em good offensive as well as garisson troups when you dont know what kind of troops the enemy will use.

The One Wraith

01-29-2003, 07:58

GREETINGS
I'm not sure about the unit; either Varangians or Gothic Knights.

I got an interesting Roman tactic from Gibbon's Rise and Fall. I shall quote it EXACTLY with my alterations:

Quote[/b] ]On the appearance of an enemy, they threw aside their baggage, and by easy and rapid evolutions converted the column of march into an order of battle [confuse the enemy]. The slingers and archers skirmished in the front [missle troops, lure enemy to flank with cav]; the auxiliaries formed the first line [weaker infantry, blockers], and were seconded or sustained by the strength of the legions [power infantry, aid auxiliary or flank]: the cavalry covered the flanks [after engagement, flank with cav], and the military engines were placed in the rear [i.e. siege, soften 'em up first, General seeking stone http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ]. ]

This works GREAT, just make sure to be flexible, as the enemy might be fast; try to set up by your end of the map.
(I still don't like how morale works, be careful with that)

[BTW, I just saw screens of Rome: Total War; it shut off all higher-level thought and initiated constant drooling....its getting on my keyboard Great, now I'm drowning in electrified saliva...]

Grothgar

01-29-2003, 11:17

Horse Archers, although only against the AI http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif. Also you need about 6 units of them to have any effect. YOu just put them in triple lines. 2 in the first line, 2 in the second and 2 in the third.

The first line starts firing at the enemy until they are nearly on them, in which case they retreat and the second line will already be firing. When they reach the second line you retreat them and the 3rd line will be firing. Always retreat them behind the last line of horse archers and repeat ad-infinitum.

Of course this can really only be used on the defensive, but i have routed countless armies like this, just with my horse archers. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

TheDuck

01-30-2003, 11:25

I too am a student of ancient military tactics... Basically I use the 'Hannibal/Scipio Africanus' setup. I do this as the Byzantines currently (I am rather new to the game).

Trebizond archers in front skirmishing (close/skirm/hold fire)
Spears 2nd line (loose/hold)
Byz Infantry 3rd line (close/hold)
Pronoiai on both flanks (close/hold)

On attack, I march the army as a unit to within close arrow distance to maximize enemy casualties. The Trebs as a group are instructed to fire on one target only, to maximize damage to that unit, trying to work all enemy units down to at least 3/4 strength as quickly as possible. Cavalry first, then most dangerous infantry.

When the enemy starts to close, I do this:
1. I move archers back if they aren't moving already
2. If I'm being closed by horse, I leave the spears forward and set them to 'close', move byz inf. to wings
3. If I'm being closed by spear or infantry, I push byz infantry to front and spears to 'close' and the wings just as the byz inf engage.

Once my front line has engaged, I use all units on the wings to flank the enemy line and engage from the side/rear of the enemy. Foot units to the sides, cavalry the rear (or missile units if the missile units are without support).Trebs that are now in back attack targets of opportunity.

Once the enemy line starts to rout, pronoiai cleanup (kats are terrible at this, and I only use them when I know I need real shock value... which is rare). If you are running horse archers instead of trebs, they are also good at 'cleanup' (just make sure the pronoiai stay close in case some of the routing units decide to turn and defend rather than run&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.

My typical setup is 4 or 5 treb arch, 4 byz inf, 3 or 4 spear, 3 pronoiai (love those guys). I vary this setup slighgly based on what I have observed in the enemy before a battle. Lots of spear? more infantry... Lots of horse? More spear and archers.

And something I have noticed that I haven't seen mentioned much... range means a LOT w/ archers. Closer = more effective. If I am disciplined and do not let them fire until targets are fairly close, even lowly archers can really pound enemy units. Patience definitely required

The setup and tactis work great The addition of arbalesters in high period makes this approach devastating. They fire slower, but at close/medium range they are absolute death to horses, and allow the infantry a great deal of freedom. I have had 12:1 casualties in my favor using this tactic.

max_killer_payne

01-30-2003, 18:22

Thanks 4 the feedback. I couldnt find this a couple of days ago and assumed this topic MIA. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Anyways, I have been expermenting and have found that (as alot of you do) the Vangarian guards are kick ass I usually get them on the front line, while volleys of arrows are fired to make sure they're not circled. They are ALWAYS backed up by Byzantine Infantry, who in my opinion are the greatest. Once they enemy begin routing, I move my Kataphractoi, (I think its them????) Let my Byzantine Infantry take the slow moving heavy infantry and then once the fleeing infantry are reformed, they're smashed to pieces by a cavalry charge (evil grin&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

econ21

01-30-2003, 19:13

For me, favorite unit is light cav, originally hobilars as I played English but now I've wised up to the virtues of the more speedy jinettes. This is actually a hang-over from Shogun, where the absence of the equivalent of royal knights of your princes meant that cav was even more scarce in the early game than it is in MTW. So you would have to grind through tedious, tough defensive battles only to win but find the bulk of the routed enemy escapes. A turn or two later, they come back. Talk about a war of attrition. Light cavalry for pursuit was for me the unit that made the most strategic difference. (I gather from my reading of Napoleonic history, that this is quite historical). It's less essential in MTW, as I say, because you usually have at least one unit of free royal knights on the battlefield but still it is an important early building goal of mine (20 knights can't hoover up all the routers).

Tactics: I tend to use offensive strategy and defensive tactics. Take a province - often without a contest - and then on subsequent turns, let the AI smash its forces against the rock of your troops who are now defending the captured province. Very straightforward: 5 strong spearwall on a hill, backed by 3 archers + 3 catapults (I may drop these, they are of questionable utility), two shock infantry (probably should be more), eg Gallowglasses, one on each flanks, slightly to the rear along with a few cav for pursuit. Often - especially against Moslems in the desert - the enemy will potter around getting shot to pieces. When they close, counter-charge with spears, wait a while, then crash the shock units into the flanks. Usually works like a treat, especially with bribed Welsh longbows and ammo modded to 96, but needs a decent leader to avoid morale collapsing if the AI comes on in earnest (eg with its own shock infantry or heavy cav.).

DemonArchangel

01-31-2003, 01:06

One of you mentioned AHC's. Reminder, AHC's die like dogs to katas, pronos, VG's, crusader knights and ghulams. ACK I just use Ghulam cavalry instead of those overexpensive motherf**kers http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

Hosakawa Tito

01-31-2003, 02:47

How ya doing TheDuck, welcome to the org http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

A Nerd

01-31-2003, 03:21

I like to send lots of heavy and medium infantry head on into the enemy. Supported on the flanks by calvary with light infantry and skirmishers in the back.

Syterion

01-31-2003, 04:22

Unlike most people, I don't think that high-quality cavalry or infantry is the best, I think the best is Byz inf. Thay are good, cheap cavalry, with high unit size. You can field tons of them easily. Unlike more expensive Varangians. Its not like they are not good though.

Also, I don't like napthas because you are more likely to hit your troops, so I like Arquebusiers for their fear value. Just bring them to the sides and watch em rout. Theyre like cheap heavy cav. They cause fear. You still gotta have cav though.

And yeah, pincer rules. Sometimes I simply just split my troops in two, and see which part they attack. Then I attack at their rear. Brilliantly simple. Simply brilliant.

castle

01-31-2003, 23:43

My favs are Janissary Heavy Infantry. They are fast,strong and can beat any troops or cavalry. Battles don't last long when these guys get going. Each unit can often kill over 200 enemy. The only downside is they cost 750 florins.

some_totalwar_dude

02-01-2003, 00:24

My favorite tactic is to win the battle.

but for real i like to sit upon a hill with chiv seargents in front, chiv MAA at the fanks and billmen behind the MAA facing outwards to the flanks and 5 units of longbows (modded to 56 ammo http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ) and chiv knights behind. when the enemy makes a flanking manouvre (spel?) i pin them down with billmen and let chiv knights charge at thre rear. ofcourse I after the longbows rained dead upon them http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif . this way i won a battle with 960 men (6 star gen) against 2200 (5 star gen) they lost 2000 (1000 pows executed after randsom denied) and i lost 53. And no the werent al peasants an militia.

Monk

02-01-2003, 00:29

The Tactic wich has saved me many times is a Full Calvary Charge from Behind the Enemy.

get them commited to a fight with your main force and circle around them with your Calvery, just when they might gain the upper hand Order your Calvery to Charge the Enemy Lines. This will result in a full panic on the enemies account and (since sometimes their general is in the rear) cause the General to fall very quickly. with the enemy force completly Encircled they will have no where to run and will be cut down as they try.

TheDuck

02-01-2003, 02:24

Hosakawa Tito: Thanks... Been reading a lot on these forums for a couple of weeks, decided to 'pitch in'. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

max_killer_payne

02-01-2003, 19:56

Monk I also find that a cavalry charge from behind the enemy works well, It usuallt kills 16 from the impact and if you have good knights then the enemy will be routing in seconds.

Vlad The Impaler

02-02-2003, 18:00

my fav unit is Boyars.i love versatility and power
i also like very much the vikings;

about the tactics i try to change it every time , i havent a favourite one , it depends with who i play;

Lord Of Storms

02-02-2003, 19:49

I like to meet the opponents cav with a wall of bill,pike and halberd makes for a medieval cuisinart with enemy horsey parts flying all over then I flank with my own cav and clean up . http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Pablo Sanchez

02-03-2003, 00:57

My favorite tactic is definitely the Hammer and Anvil. This is for two reasons:
1) I consider escaping enemies a personal affront.
2) I like to smash powerful units to bits.

So, my armies tend to be made up of holding units to keep the enemy occupied, and a cavalry maneuver element. I engage the enemy army with my infantry, and I slip around the back with cavalry. Charge into their rear, and their army collapses. And when that happens, they have to flee through my cavalry, which cuts many of them down.

The only hassle is that I have to keep about equal numbers, and the poor infantry have to hold out for a long time while the enemy is flanked.

To go with these tactics, I like Proanoi Allagion and Byzantine infantry.

Hosakawa Tito

02-03-2003, 02:48

Welcome to the org Pablo Sanchez http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif The hammer and anvil is a classic, and works well on both offense and defense. It's okay to let a few escape though, the survivors can spread the word of your invincibility. Nothing like free advertising. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

Michael the Great

02-03-2003, 13:28

Quote[/b] (max_killer_payne @ Feb. 01 2003,12:56)]Monk I also find that a cavalry charge from behind the enemy works well, It usuallt kills 16 from the impact and if you have good knights then the enemy will be routing in seconds.
Just did a custom battle test:vikings vs fmaa.
The initial viking charge took 20 fmaa .........

Anyway,sometimes infatry charges are better than caalry charges(Just had an amazing example at Stirling bridge with me Highland Clansmen).
Btw,Vlad,u got that mail I sent u with that bridge battle.
I must say it was superb

ErikJansen

02-03-2003, 14:04

Favorite tactic.. well.. It has to do with my favorite opponents, namely european armies and long long Pav Arb lines.

Whenever I face an opponent who's got a long line of either 3-4 Pav Arbs screening his army I usually go for this tactic. Safe to say, it also gives away my usual army makeup, as I always take the Turks to the field.

A screen of 4 Jan inf in front of a line of 4 Saracen inf, with 2 units of Heavy Jan watching either flank of this line. 2 Turcoman cav units sticking together, with a final 2 Kwarzimirians stuck snugly behind the army in central position.

If at all possible, and in multiplayer this often gives away the opponents experience, I will use the Turcoman to harry and wear down Heavy Cav units until they run out of missile ammo. Pulling these back, I then advance until just out of range of the Pav Arbs and wait for the enemy to advance. Often an opponent will create the opening needed himself while the Turcoman harry and skirmish.

Initially I will just send the Turcoman on a head on charge against the Pav Arb line, drawing both their attention and missile fire, while I spur the main force forward until the Jan Inf reach range. Then I will hold the Jan Inf and move the Saracen inf in front of them. This often works as a feint as well (im talking MP experience http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif) and will result in the enemy moving to engage. If the enemy stays, I will simply advance with my army until he attacks, which means the Pav Arbs will be running around without getting much done.

When engaged the Saracen Inf will hold the main line, with Jan Inf breaking off their missile rain to plug holes or aid with the push as seen fit. The Heavy Jan will deal with any possible cav flanks, and my own Kwarzimirians will usually work at finding an opening on either flank as well.

This Saracen Hammer tactic often works simply because the Turk Units are able to withstand a lot of punishment, whilst the Heavy Jan will themselves move to flank and engage the enemy rear after having dispatched cav units. Against Cav, even Lancers, the Heavy Jan never fail at their task.

SirGrotius

02-03-2003, 17:51

You've got to love Scipio Africanus, Duck I, too, have found the Roman tactics to be very successful in MTW...now, if only I could master the Carthaginian ones, namely, Hannibals

Namarie

02-03-2003, 19:13

Well, I'm new, but not new, moved when the old forums were still running, coming back though Fired up MTW after getting bored with all the new games, so much for simcity 4

Anyway, to stay on topic, I guess its depending on my game. Most often I just sit, build up my home nations, until I get seargant's or better, then I crank out those, with bowmen of some sort, and cavalry of some sort.

During battles attacking, I always split up my army in two sections and hit the AI from three sides, since I always split off my cav and do the run around with them. Works great, works better the more advanced units I get.. =P

On defence, I usually just stack a long double line, archers in the back, collapse it into two armies when the enemy charge, and counter charge, plus what ever cavalry I have, I always send running around the sides to hit the rear. Sending off 1 or 2 units to the side of the map sometimes helps alot, not too far away though, can use those to hit the enemies rear.

I generarly make sure to have 5 star plus generals all around too, but as far as a fav unit to have, I dont really have one, I just crank out what I feel like.. =)

Haven't done much online actually since I am working too many hours and like the SP campaign too much. =)

Pablo Sanchez

02-04-2003, 01:30

Quote[/b] (Hosakawa Tito @ Feb. 02 2003,19:48)]Welcome to the org Pablo Sanchez http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif The hammer and anvil is a classic, and works well on both offense and defense. It's okay to let a few escape though, the survivors can spread the word of your invincibility. Nothing like free advertising. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

Thanks. I've been reading posts in the forums for a while, and I thought it might be interesting to contribute. Though everything I say about Total War games must be taken with a grain of salt--I'm not very good http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Also: I prefer to keep my enemy in unknowning terror.

kataphraktoi

02-04-2003, 14:24

I know a good general keeps his army together working in tandem but when u have Varangians with high valour that disqiualifies me as general. I send them in and they hack everything to pieces. My other army is standing behind having lunch or playing dices.
Sigh....wait till the beserkers coome to play in the Xpack

Tyrac

02-04-2003, 15:10

Boyars. Love them. Heavy Cav with bows. A Cav unit that fires arrows as you move it looking for a flank attack. A general unit that fires arrows even if you do not commit him to battle.
Makes a wonderful unit for your nobility as it is 40 strong. Even better when it is your King and the unit rebuilds itself after a few years.
Playing as the Novgorods my King (Prince actually) is a warrior King and leads the main army on one front because of this.

Alrowan

02-04-2003, 15:59

halbreds all the way

TheDuck

02-05-2003, 05:14

SirGrotius:

Agreed I read an account of (I believe..don't have the book in front of me) Scipio vs. Hasdrubal. 3 days they come out and Scipio sets up infantry-center w/ Cav on wings, to which Hasdrubal responds in kind. They do not come to blows...

On the third day Scipio comes out and sets up w/ Cav in center and infantry on wings, closes to Hasdrubals confused army (trying to reorient and without a morning meal due to the rush) and wins resoundingly w/ entire infantry columns flanking.... sneaky

Works for me

This is what keeps me fascinated with MTW. I love history and games... this game brings it all together and lets me try what was done and learn the tactical issues.. That and the fact that exact execution and keeping my guys together makes for terrible casualties... to the other side (at least in SP)

ErikJansen

02-05-2003, 05:18

Varangian guards. The only real contenders to the Heavy Jan's rule as the best Inf unit around.

I like 'em, but I hate 'em too http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

econ21

02-05-2003, 16:25

Yes, Varangian guards are awesome. I once was leading a HRE army against a pitiful early Byzantine one (there, of course, being no pitiful early Byzantine armies, what with their high command leaders, kats, swordsmen, Trebizond archers, not to mention VG).

Anyway, I found I was too near a wood and so wanted to fall back to get line of sight for my archers. The Bizzies charged up a hill through the wood and my men were a little slow getting away.

The first unit of Bizzies to come out of the wood were two, count them, two individual Varangian guardsmen.

Hah Thought I. You have two axemen, I have 60 axemen. So as a delaying tactic, I sent 60 woodsmen to cover my retreat in a charge against the two VG.

When the dust settled, there were still two VG and a whole lot of dead woodsmen. The two VG continued on to plough into my army. Awesome It was like something out of a Terminator movie.

Michael the Great

02-05-2003, 18:28

Quote[/b] (Alrowan @ Feb. 04 2003,08:59)]halbreds all the way
Why? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

max_killer_payne

02-05-2003, 19:53

Alrowan I agree halbreds (cant remember the damn full name&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif rule, I recently started a new game as the Danes, and now my technology is starting to get up, the only unit are making are them Sent 800 of them up against a Spanish crusade that wanted to get through my town, and they were up against 2500 enemy, I lost around 350 I took 854 enemy troops lifes and 400 prisoner the rest fled, when the general died, great LOTR map pack by the way

Micheal The Great Because they rock

DemonArchangel

02-05-2003, 23:07

vg's are just viking beserkers who wear armor and carry better equipment and have some sense of self preservation.

AggonyArcher

02-07-2003, 04:04

Hello again
Im looking for opinions on Nizaris. I have had them gain honor greatly in battle. Has anyone else noticed this feature. And what do you think of Heavy armor in desert?

Asimov

02-07-2003, 16:28

Quote[/b] (Syterion @ Jan. 31 2003,10:22)]Unlike most people, I don't think that high-quality cavalry or infantry is the best, I think the best is Byz inf. Thay are good, cheap cavalry, with high unit size. You can field tons of them easily. Unlike more expensive Varangians. Its not like they are not good though.

Also, I don't like napthas because you are more likely to hit your troops, so I like Arquebusiers for their fear value. Just bring them to the sides and watch em rout. Theyre like cheap heavy cav. They cause fear. You still gotta have cav though.

And yeah, pincer rules. Sometimes I simply just split my troops in two, and see which part they attack. Then I attack at their rear. Brilliantly simple. Simply brilliant.
In my opinion, Byz Inf is high quality infantry already. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif