What is your fighting style?

[Andres]

I usually use similar tactics as econ21 and Dead Guy.

Have my archers hide behind a bunch of spears and let the enemy come has been my usual playstyle in previous titles. Now, the enemy finally knows they can fire back, so I sometimes put my archers in front of my spears. Imo, retreating your archers when the enemy infantry charges is less effective than letting your own infantry charge at the charging enemy and have them clash in front of your archers. Currently playing as the Date, I'm slowly starting to occasionally have my No Dachi or Katana samurai charge first and it does have good results. Cavalry isn't as powerful as in previous titles, but still very effective to cause a chain rout when charging a few enemy infantry units in the rear.

Just like Dead Guy, when on the offense, I always try to take down a few units on the enemies' flanks with my archers or try to bait them with my cavalry before really engaging them.

[Vladimir]

Good to see king of battle getting proper respect. In MTW2 the choice is easy. If the enemy has missile superiority it will usually stand it's ground. That's why before I can produce enough artillery I try to have missile superiority; the enemy always attacks. Kinda predicable and exploitable, and javelin infantry can throw it off. That's why I burn through cavalry so quick. Good ol' Sun Tzu.

[Yesugey]

I'm an infantry person. I get only one Archer, (just to deal with annoying hit-run tactics) One or two light cavalry (to deal with mass archers) And I mass all spear and sword infantry. Its so nice to watch the enemy peppers my countless soldiers, even they know it doesnt matter how much they killed ^^

[Daevyll]

I'd say ambusher.

My favourite tactic involves an army consisting of general plus 6 Naginate (first wave), 4 No-dachi or Katana (second wave), 2 Katana (reserve), 3 Yari Cavalry and 3 Katana cavalry (remaining slot is whatever I feel like; Kisho Ninja maybe, or some Monks).

First wave and second wave deploy in two lines the Naginata in front. General behind the second wave. All cavalry is deployed together, on one flank at a good distance from the infantry and all in hiding if at all possible (nearly always is). Cavalry doesnt move and stays hidden until infantry have engaged.
Infantry engages enemy units and ties them down, Naginate first and no-dachi and katana move in second. General uses 'stand and fight' ability.

Once enemy units are all tied down, the cavalry appears and circles at top speed. Yari Cavalry priority is to hunt down and kill enemy General, Katan cavalry priority is to clear up archers. Any cavalry left over/mission accomplished charge into the back of engaged enemy units.

I've had really good results from this so far, including against armies with superior quality men (those 5-6 xp stacks from hell) and superior numbers. I dont miss the archers.

[The_Emperor]

originally i said reserved because I like to attack my opponent with unconventional means before fighting, using Ninja and sparking revolts really holds a place in my heart to weaken my enemies and as Sun Tzu said defeat your enemies before seeking battle.

However when actually in battle I tend to be an artillery man, heavy on archers and infantry with only a few cavalry units to provide flank support and flexibility.

[HopAlongBunny]

Vote for reserved.

Offence and defence I tend to do the same thing. Archers up front; Spears; Heavy infantry; Cav on the wings. Archers retreat through the spears when necessary; heavies look for opportunity to flank or can plug holes; cav runs deep and can hide, charge or distract depending on the situation.

I voted for reserved since I normally deploy in layers (above) and "unwrap" it as the battle progresses.

[snorky]

I voted rusher, because of the AI's nature to field a large amount of archers, so I want to close melee as fast as possible. Normally I field a large amount of Yari Ashigaru, forming around half of the main body of my army. I Use them together with one or two archers to draw out a few units on the flanks, then kill the them with cavalry support as quickly as possible before their main force reacts, When they do react I move my Yari Ashigaru in a full charge often angling towards their left flank. When most of their army is engaged I move in the rest of my melee force (the samourais) towards their right flank. to finish I charge all my cavalry led by my general in their rear, and unless completely outnumbered or in unusual terrain it does the job.