@Jambo: I'd say option 2 as most of the armies with this type of alberd, (HRE/France/Papal States aside), tend to need the cav defence abilities of a pike more than they need another 2-hander. However, some (Papal states and HRE), would benefit from a 2-hander, (on reflection a 2-Hander half the price of Zwei-Handers and with no upkeeep would be valubale to them), france just plain has too many units, and the Papal States would benefit far more from a 2-Hander than a Pike unit as Papal Guard are quite good enough to see off even the best cav.

p.s. sorry if i seem a bit short ATM, i'm only actually nipping in for 10 minutes at a time between play sessions on M2TW, i've played more Sp campaign time over the last 3 days than I have to date since I got the game.

Random Question. How's Bazantyinium faring under my BugFixer, their infantry lineup was all Sheild equipped and Vargarian Guard also had bugged animations, so their infantry lineup has recived a BIG boost from these bugfixes. I'm intrested in how they compare...