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View Full Version : My long-suffering fiancee gave me VI for Xmas



mbrasher1
01-07-2004, 02:58
Yes, G-d bless her.

Steppe heavies are a very unique unit: ranged units with melee ability and decent speed.

Anything that can catch them will be mauled.

Playing a Catholic power, I find myself missing ranged cavalry units for skirmishing. Steppe heavies fill several roles: skirmishing and chasing routers. Ranged units are basically useless once the melee ensues (even the tougher ones like LBows and Otto inf are weak in combat), except to fire point blank into the enemy's rear if you can so maneuver them. And light cavalry are only useful in sweeping away enemy skirmishers or chasing routers. Some of them can be used to attack the enemy rear or flank, but they are fragile and poor in melee.

So the steppe heavies are like candy which tastes like pizza.

They free up 2 extra slots in a balanced army, as they can fill the roles of archer AND melee fighter AND chase routers.

ichi
01-07-2004, 03:46
Steppe Heavies are as strong as any cav archer, except Boyars.

They are not as fast as Szekely, and have a lower charge bonus. Without any upgrades, Szeks have a 3 attack and a 1 defence, Steppe Heavies have a 3 attack and 4 defence bonus, and a higher armor (5).

Steppe Heavies are slightly stronger than Byz Cav (Byz Cav has 3 defence). They start with morale of 4 at V0, so I think they are best at V2 and higher. With a relatively high armor, they are not the best choice to take to the desert.

Cav archers are some of the most fun units in the game, and Steppe are some of the best. I usually devote a couple of steppe provinces to their production.

ichi

Gregoshi
01-07-2004, 08:45
Sounds like you got one special lady there mbrasher. I hope she's not the jealous type and come to regret that gift. Just tell her you'll give her all of Europe for Valentines Day. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif