alternative weapon vs main weapon?

**muha** · 07-23-2008, 07:08

Hi, this a noob question.

I noticed that many units have two weapons.

for example; phalanx units got their main spear and a sword, so does cavalry.

well my question is regarding the cavalry, are there any benefits for me if I order my cavalry to switch to swords after the main charge?

**QuintusSertorius** · 07-23-2008, 08:39

If they are lance-armed cavalry, there's a massive benefit in switching weapons. Lances may have high lethality, but their "preparation time" is ridiculously long, sword-armed cavalry will butcher lance-armed cavalry in melee.

**konny** · 07-23-2008, 11:13

I switch to swords with cavalry when facing weak infantry like archers.

The two weapons are also important with infantry. For example, the Sweboz bodyguards have swords and spears. Use the primary weapon (swords) against infantry and the spears against cavalry. Makes a perfect all-around unit.

**GodEmperorLeto** · 07-23-2008, 12:23

Noobish question, even for an EB vet (hangs head in shame), but, how in Iove's name do I get them to switch weapons?

**Laza** · 07-23-2008, 12:37

Originally Posted by konny

I switch to swords with cavalry when facing weak infantry like archers.

The two weapons are also important with infantry. For example, the Sweboz bodyguards have swords and spears. Use the primary weapon (swords) against infantry and the spears against cavalry. Makes a perfect all-around unit.

Hmmm... my sweboz bodyguards or gallic nobles give a shit about my orders.

Every sodiers seems to use his weapon at will. Neither the whole unit uses the same weapon nor im able to change their weapons by shift + attack.

Another thing is that they keep using swords against spears (which is ok) but their own spears vs. swords. At least the majority of a unit behaves this way. Several soldiers wont change their weapon regardless of their opponent.

In IBFD everythings works fine. The saxon troops use the spear as their main weapon to withstand chavalary charges and change to swords when charging and attacking infantry. After charging they always change back to spears when facing cavalary. Maybe its about BI? Im using Alex when playing EB but i wont change back because of this. RTW and BI AI and ai turn duration sucks.

**konny** · 07-23-2008, 12:48

klick = primary weapon (charges with secondary but should switch back when the fight begins)

{Alt} + klick = secondary weapon

EDIT: One reason for problems with changing weapons is facing an enemy that they were not ordered to attack. That would be, you have your Sweboz FMs in a pitched fight against an enemy unit which is joined by another enemy unit, you'll see your men switching to spears as soon as making contact with that new unit. Sollution: order them to attack the new unit (sometimes takes two or three attempts) that will make them go back to swords.

Some men will always fight with their secondary weapon when they had been knocked down. That makes perfect sense when the primary weapon would be a spear and the secondary a side-weapon, but is somewhat wiered when the other way round (nevertheless hardcoded RTW-stuff).

**Laza** · 07-23-2008, 13:14

Ive tested it and ur absolutely right. Knocked down soldiers use their secondary weapon until u move them out of battle and charge again. After all the 2 "main" weapon system doesnt work with low lethality. I think it was never intended to have normal soldiers with 2 main weapons. Its just for missile fire or lance cav and phalanx troops.

**konny** · 07-23-2008, 14:10

From countless battles with Sweboz FMs as the spearhead of the charge, I can ensure you that it works perfectly fine: chop infantry with swords and spike horsemen with spears - all with the same unit.