English Multiplayer Tactics

[Saudir Komnenus]

Hey,

I'm curious as to what you all believe to be solid tactics and unit choices to use while fighting as the English in multiplayer games. I've only started multiplayer 2 days ago, but I've had MTW since it came out.

In particular, what are some good ways to defeat an opponent who uses what appears to be the most popular choices: the Italians, HRE, and Byzantines?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Saudir Komnenus]

Thanks for the help Cheetah, its very much appreciated

[Cheetah]

Welcome to the ORG Saudir

You should have no probelms with the Italians or HRE since they have basicaly the same unit types as the English. You might have problems vs the Byzantines, especially with byz infantry. As an Enlgish your main asset is the billmen, so I would use 2 or 3 billmen in my army. For example:

4 chiv.knights (including general)
2 alan mercenary
3 billmen
4 chiv.man-at-arms (CMAA)
3 pavise arbs

As you see there are no spearmen in this army, so it is a kind of attacking set up. The billmen should take care of the enemy cavalry. You might also take 3 longbowmen instead of the 3 pav.arbs but then it would be an extremely attacking setup. A more defensive spearmen heavy army is as follows:

2 chiv.knights
2 alan mercenary
2 billmen
2 CMAA
4 orderfoot
4 pavs arbs

As you see this army have 4 spears and 4 arbs, thus more suitable for a defensive role.

Billmen, CMAA, orderfoot and alans should be at least v2, alans and CMAA might be v3 depending on buget. Chiv.knights are good at v0, for pav.arbs buy v1 and some armour.

Have fun

[SmokWawelski]

Interesting. Do you think that spears are good vs the Byz army? I ask, because lot of people refer to them as to low-level trops, especially in later games, when beter things are available (I assume you are talking at least high here, since you hav chiv-man-at-arms)?

[Cheetah]

Yes, spears are quite weak, indeed they are not the best choice vs a byzantine army. But it is not impossible to beat the byzantines with a spear heavy army. Of course, playing with the English one can live without spears since billmen are much better vs cavs and at least as good vs other infantry as spearmen. That army with the 4 orderfoot is just defensive army in general, and was not suggested as special anit-byz army. If you are going aganist a byz player then take lots of cavs, since that is the weak side of the byzantine setup. Of course, if you want a cav heavy army then the Italians, HRE or Spain is much better choice than the English.

[ShadesPanther]

The easy way to defeat Byz inf is to use units like Billmen and longbows. Billmen engage and the longbows attack to lower their morale. Aloso try to flank them, If they are below valour 4 once one routs the others should decide that running away and screaming like a sissy is a fun game and join in. I like Byzantines as im usually them or the Turks. The byz main weakness is the lack of anti cav. One other day i defeated this guys Infantry but he had 4 units of Lancers and my PA and Byz cav just couldnt stop them so the Lancers got behind me and I lost just because i had no anti cav and once they got behind me it was game over. He lost alot of men and my ally defeated him after destroying his opponent but still the lack of anti cav really hurts Byz

[MK_HenryV]

Well, I pretty much play as English every game. Hell, I'm Henry V what do you want me to be, French

Panther is right about the Byz, they are popping up in game after game in multi-player and its quite fun to see them run, screaming, from the battlefield before you've even had a chance to hit more than 3 units.
They can be a complete bugger to English faction, however -sheer weight of numbers normally. Them and the Spanish are probably the armies I have the worst problems against when playing as English.

My suggestion for an army and I'm only sharing one of em with you here.

3pav arbs
2Billmen
2Order Foot
2 Chiv men at arms
1 Gallowglasses - superb as flanking units, just don't ever let em get hit
3Knights Templar
1 Chiv Kinghts
1 alan Cav

This is neither attack nor defend army - good for multiplayer and definately not my best. But I'm not sharing that one. Play around with em, I love em, but most Catholic factions are the same.
Welcome aboard by the way m8y