Americas Campaign

[anweRU]

To the above, I would add that encircling the enemy line will the cavalry causes the enemy to stop for a few seconds, and reform - without the cavalry attacking. The culverin(s) will do better against these stationary targets. I haven't managed to halt them for more that two or three times, but it is a nice little bonus.

Once the natives get too close, then it is time for a rear-charge. Generals and those pesky priest units are my first priorities...

[oz_wwjd]

Once I got teched up, I took the approach off launching a mass calvary attack on the weakest point of my enemy's lines and smashing them. Most of the native units tended to rout on impact when I did that,and I never gave them the chance to build priests,or I only ever saw 2-3 units of them anyways.
Losses were acceptable seeing I have 4 cities that were producing 8 conquistadors per turn..

[Careless]

It is also possible to recruit better mercenaries. If you make alliances with the various factions and send generals near their territory (into their natural territory?) you can find two different unit types to recruit. Eagle and Arrow soldiers from Aztec, Dog Boys and Apache Braves from Apache, etc. Basically, mid-level units from the factions that are clearly better than the ones you'd normally recruit, but not particularly powerful. They can also be retrained in some cities, although I haven't figured out how to predict which ones can be retrained in which cities.

As for the pikemen, the the Chich... the black banner natives in the West of the map can get melee cavalry (although I've yet to see it happen) and the French and the English might attack you for no apparent reason.

[anweRU]

I used pike militia exclusively as garrison troops. You'll need lots of soldiers (not units) to maintain order. 1 pike militia = 2x sword militia. I used the free upkeep to the max, and some native mercenaries for the rest of the required garrison.

I won the campaign before the English even appeared, and the French never attacked a single settlement or AI faction. The French stacks just stood there in Florida, admiring their pretty costumes I suppose...

[miniwally]

you made me want to play it now :P

[Old Geezer]

PBI is right on. Use mercenaries for pinning units and for garrisons. Recruit as many conquistadors as possible (horse and foot) and swords too. Culverins can get huge experience points by shelling villages and thus improve thier ability further. Nothing in MTW2 has surpassed the joy of sending the nasty feathered natives priests flying into the air after being impacted by charging conquistadors. Don't bother with muskets or pikes unless you want to have some fun fighting the English or French.