I did an experiment - How good are JHI really ?

[2faced]

I thought Bulgarian Brigands got valor bonuses in Bulgaria?

Also, if you start in Early, you could have won by the time you get to JHI, so they might not prove to be a very large factor in things..overall.

[Betito]

I thought Bulgarian Brigands got valor bonuses in Bulgaria?

Both, JHI and bulgarian Brigands, get valour bonus in Bulgaria (you can confirm that by checking the unit info file. In the game, only the first unit mentioned to have a bonus in certain province is actually mentioned).

Also, if you start in Early, you could have won by the time you get to JHI, so they might not prove to be a very large factor in things..overall.

You might want to try a GA campaign, wich allows you to win the game wothout killing everyone (unless you still want to, of course). Also, this same affirmation would be true for the rest of advanced units in the game (Gothic knights, Lancers, SAP...), so i guess that if you want to see them in action, you will have to take it slowly... cooperate, so to speak...

[2faced]

I suppose it all depends on your style of play.

[_Aetius_]

I find that by the time I can train JHI I have conquered most of my nearby rivals and am ready to push westward if the AI is strong and resisting heavily JHI can be crucial in that push westward. Saracens, Ghazis, Muwahids etc arent good enough to defeat strong western armies the Janissary corp changes that balance coupled with the Turks excellent cavalry roster you can then conquer even the strongest of Catholic nations.

However sometimes the AI has destroyed itself and JHI become more a luxery than necessity.

[BAD]

I find that by the time I can train JHI I have conquered most of my nearby rivals and am ready to push westward if the AI is strong and resisting heavily JHI can be crucial in that push westward. Saracens, Ghazis, Muwahids etc arent good enough to defeat strong western armies the Janissary corp changes that balance coupled with the Turks excellent cavalry roster you can then conquer even the strongest of Catholic nations.

However sometimes the AI has destroyed itself and JHI become more a luxery than necessity.

Before getting to JHI I worked out the subtlties and nuances of Ghazi Infantry (and Futuwwa's). Now really there isn't much need for JHI. Especially when the Ghazi's/Futawwa's have valoured up and with full Armour Upgrades. Just use Saracens or Muwahids to hold the line and smash the flanks and rear with the Ghazi's/Futtawa's. . . it's pretty much game over. Of course you could "hold" the line with JHI, but that would be. . . overkill