army composition

[caravel]

Nubians are better in the desert - no doubt due to lack of armour, but Saracens are better holding troops and better all round. The important thing to remember is that, though armoured troops will tire in the desert anyway, spear units should not really be doing much running about.

Don't put too much stock in the large shield - it helps to make up for the lack of armour but is no substitute. The large shield gives a +2 attack bonus to units attacking the large shield bearer from the rear. The shield modifier is also a big factor.

You may find the famous numerology thread at the .com good reading: http://shoguntotalwar.yuku.com/topic...gy.html?page=1