Advance or defense?

[_Tristan_]

I personnally hate to suffer losses in my battles and so will try to use whatever works best to minimize those...

I will generally try to secure some high ground to position my main infantry.

Then I will be sending cav to deal with enemy missile or artillery, preferably lured forward of the enemy main line by my own advancing missiles (in loose formation...mind)

Once almost all enemy missile units have been dealt with, I will send some heavy cav to deal with the weakest links in the enemy line, then retreating and charging back to make them rout...

This way what finally reaches my main infantry line is greatly depleted is will msot often rout on contact or when charged in the flanks or back by the cavalry.

As a defender in sieges, I tend to adopt a more agressive stance generally sallying and sending cav units out by the side gates to harass the AI and divert as much units as possible from their main assault.

[Ratwar]

I prefer to play a defensive effort, but my tactics rely heavily on what units I have at my disposal. Horse Archers and Javelin calvary lend themselves to early offensive attacks weakening the strongest portions of the enemy line. When I have plenty of Heavy Calvary, the headlong frontal assault can actually be quite effective, especially using multiple charges withdrawing after each to avoid melee combat. The only factions I usually end up taking infantry offensives against are the Italian ones. Lots of Crossbows and a ton of spears make them unsuitable to attack via calvary or defeat defensively.