Elite and Disciplined units

[caravel]

Sorry bondovic, yes that is quite right (+2 defence -2 attack).

[sharpshooter]

So I gather then, that Disciplined simply means that the unit won't charge without orders? There is no morale and no combat bonus as such. Units that do charge without orders gain a morale bonus +4.

My impression is that disciplined units hold postions better, standing firm or advancing in the face of daunting odds.

A disciplined cavalry unit I have great fondness for are the Avar Nobles when playing the Poles or Hungarians on Early. A steal from needing only Armourer and HB they seem to make Feudal Knights practically redundant for those 2 factions, and at half the maintenance cost! They are a strong reliable unit on the field, their value heightened by appearing at a time when other factions can only produce MS.

Nothing is more annoying than when your CK or Lancer unit impetously charges a herd of peasants just when you were lining them up for a killer strike on opposing FMAA or CMAA. Conversely, wafting a bunch of peasants in front of impetuous enemy units seems a good way of taking them out of play for a long period, as they generally chase the routing sods to the horizon.

I, too, had gathered from the Unit11 file that the formed or poorly formed appearance of units was cosmetic only. I have wondered though if it meant that poorly formed units were, in fact, less vulnerable to missiles. Logic would suggest this should be the case, and also that their charge would slightly less effective. However, I don't think this applies.

I like the straggly appearance of Bulgarian Brigands (another favourite unit that is poorly formed). They seeem more that willing to jump into combat as well.

I'm wondering if Mr Glenn should try out the Turkish, and get to know their impetuous Ghazis and Futuwwas ... (units I always set to hold position until I'm ready for them to engage). I sense him shying away from their exotic charms.