I am playing with Sweboz, and I fighting suromatai for the first time in my long EB career. I am getting completely annihilated. I cant get close to them. my arrows dont penetrate their cavalry armor. My heavy troops' armor doesnt stop their arrows. Any tips? Do i need mercenary phalanx? or heavy cavalry?

Also, a side question: Does it have to say bonus vs cavalry or bonus fighting in woods to actually get those bonuses? or do all spear units get that bonus. do all german units get bonuses in the woods?