Every factions' army will have its special needs and available units but my basic template is:

5 Spears
3 Assault Inf/MAA
4 Missiles
2 H Cav
2 L Cav

This army wouldn't be suited for the desert or bringing steppe horsemen to battle but for Italy it would do fine.

On the attack I would bring more L Cav to make the most of the enemy rout.

On the defense a couple of catapults will disrupt their advance and make them, in combination with your missle fire, ready to rout when you turn their line.

To me it's all about distraction, grappling, turning his flank, and pursuit.



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He moves, you move first.