Do the troop classifications actually mean anything?

[konny]

These are used by the AI to identify the purpose of a unit, what it is important for a) recruitement and b) deployment on the battlefield.

Placing a unit in the wrong class might have bizzarr consequences: for example a cheap missle unit classified as "light" will certainly lead to the spamming of that unit by the AI because it "thinks" - 'wow, a unit of light infantry for a bargain! Let's make a full stack of it!'

[QuintusSertorius]

I notice as an example that the Garamantines have been reclassified from Heavy Infantry to Spearmen, that just means the AI will recruit them differently?

[Hax]

And will probably place them in a different way on the battlefield, yes.

[konny]

I notice as an example that the Garamantines have been reclassified from Heavy Infantry to Spearmen, that just means the AI will recruit them differently?

Yes. It will/should compare their stats to the other spearmen it can raise in Lepki and will go for the better one - if possible.

[mcantu]

I notice as an example that the Garamantines have been reclassified from Heavy Infantry to Spearmen, that just means the AI will recruit them differently?

It will recruit them differently and place them differently in formations...

[QuintusSertorius]

But in essence for the human player, then, the classifications are largely irrelevant?

[konny]

Yes

[QuintusSertorius]

So Iberian Scutarii aren't any better at covering the flanks against cavalry than Samnite Allied Spearmen are, just because they're Spearmen and the latter are Light Infantry. Cool.

[mcantu]

So Iberian Scutarii aren't any better at covering the flanks against cavalry than Samnite Allied Spearmen are, just because they're Spearmen and the latter are Light Infantry. Cool.

IIRC, the Samnite Allied Infantry is supposed to be classed as spearman

[mcantu]

But in essence for the human player, then, the classifications are largely irrelevant?

except if you use any of the pre-made formations...

[QuintusSertorius]

except if you use any of the pre-made formations...

As per the other thread, I don't.