Boyar tactics against mobile enemies

[Kommodus]

I recently began a campaign as the Russians in High, difficulty Hard. My first chief enemy, of course, was the Mongols. The troops I used primarily to defeat them were halberdiers and crossbowmen (I do not have VI, so armoured spearmen were not available, and since regular spearmen are worthless, I built none). Eventually, the Mongolian lands were divided between myself and a growing Turkish empire, which became the next threat. After smashing several Turkish armies using much the same army composition as I used against the Mongols, it is clear that they will not pose a threat for much longer.

My question relates to the use of Boyars, which are reputedly one of the best units in the Russian army. I have yet to find a place of real significance for them against enemies that use significant numbers of mounted archers. The way I would like to use them, of course, is to harass the enemy from a distance until he is weakened, and then deliver punishing charges to the flank or rear. I am sure that I will be able to do this effectively against more infantry-heavy western armies when I eventually face them. However...

Eastern armies tend to field a lot of mounted archers, including MHA and Turcoman Horse. This tends to render the skirmishing abilities of the Boyars moot, since if I send them ahead of the army to skirmish, they will be outnumbered by enemy horse archers, which have been sent ahead of their own army. Thus, instead of harassing enemy infantry like I wanted, they would get bogged down in a shooting match against an enemy with superior firepower. Naturally, I don't want to waste my expensive and powerful Boyars in this way.

Besides, for skirmishing troops, Boyars are not that fast, and they lack the stamina to dash in and out repeatedly without getting tired, a requirement for extended skirmishing engagements. I had the same problems with Byzantine Cavalry in an earlier campaign; this led me to build horse archers instead, which seemed to make better skirmishers.

What tactics do you guys use with Boyars, especially when facing horse archer armies? Do you primarily use them as harassers, or do you go for melee combat? Are there other, more effective tactics that I'm missing?

[Marquis de Said]

Archers - and to a certain extent other horse archers - are horse archer units' worst enemy. They are the best way to fend off horse archer armies (e.g. Turks, Horde).

When using Boyars I would recommend treating them as normal heavy cavalry with the added bonus of being able to shoot. When I played the Russians I hardly ever skirmished with Boyars, because they are simply too expensive to send in front of the enemy line to get shot up. Instead I used them on the flanks and shot at other units whenever they had the chance and then charged in when they were needed in melee. If the enemy has no archers available then skirmishing is a viable option. However, as you stated, Kommodus, they tire quickly when skirmishing which will reduce their fighting ability when they are needed for melee. In my opinion, Boyars are best when used in melee, so having them run around too much is not such a great idea. Just shoot a few rounds and then send the boys in to break the enemy infantry.

On another note, I once had a 7-star Boyar general with 13 valour. He had attack 15, defence 21 and morale 30. Needless to say he was unroutable, nay, unbeatable.

[Boris of Bohemia]

Boyars should mostly meelee on flanks and rear for the reasons you have outlined. Boyars should be seen as western knights which happen to be able to defend themselves against horse archers. Fight the Turks the same way you fought the Mongols, with halberds, arbs, and HA's.

[ichi]

Boyars (and to an extent Steppe Heavies) are really fighters who can also shoot.

I usually train my Boyars in provinces with armor upgrades, and when a unit is pitted against cheaper cav archers I put my Boyars on loose formation - the loose form and armor means they can survive a duel - and still have sufficient numbers to melee.

A common MP tactic is to hold the Boyars back until the enemy has spent most of their arrows, then to push forward with 3-4 Boyars and shoot before sending the infantry forward, then using the Boyars as flankers or anti-cav.

ichi

[claymore]

"On another note, I once had a 7-star Boyar general with 13 valour. He had attack 15, defence 21 and morale 30. Needless to say he was unroutable, nay, unbeatable"

How do you tell this about your general? The stars I get but where do you find out about the attack defence and morale stats? Is there a summary that I am missing somewhere?

Cheers

[David]

Press F1 during a battle. This will give all the stats of your troops. Note that this is an average per squad. Valour and stuff is calculated per unit.