VI - Fyrdmen vs Spearmen

[CountMRVHS]

Are you sure about that support cost figure? I thought Fyrdmen were cheaper in upkeep than Spears. Maybe you're using the numbers for the European campaign (where Fyrds are available in Early), or I'm just remembering it wrong.

Yes, in VI spears are very shaky. On Expert, they sometimes seem weaker even than peasants. But when you're playing the Saxons, it sometimes is good to build up some spearmen in the early game to ward off would-be attackers. I'm not sure how much they'd improve if you train them in East Seaxe where they get the valor bonus; I don't think I've noticed much of a difference. If you're playing the Irish or Scots, it's almost a necessity to train at least some regular spearmen, as those factions lack Fyrdmen or Celtic Warriors as a decent-sized medium infantry; gallowglasses and clansmen aren't exactly "hold the line" soldiers.

No matter what faction you play, though, Armoured Spearmen are a good bet. They can easily tie up any VI cav unit and wear them down on their own or hold them until you can get a rear attack in place. Once you get AS online, you're in a good position.

[SauveQuiPeut]

I find that I don't even bother with the AS - by the time they are available my fyrd are veteran and I tend to keep building them instead. Feels more 'Saxon' as well, I think...

[Martok]

I find that I don't even bother with the AS - by the time they are available my fyrd are veteran and I tend to keep building them instead. Feels more 'Saxon' as well, I think...

Yup, that sums it up for me as well. I rarely train AS with any of the factions, as there's usually another unit in my roster that can do the job just as well or better (and still not cost me an arm and a leg).

[antisocialmunky]

I usually run around with an odd AS here and there to keep the Norsemen occupied.

[SauveQuiPeut]

I usually run around with an odd AS here and there to keep the Norsemen occupied.

Problem is that the AI Vikings are such a short-lived threat before they run out of puff that it hardly seems worth it when you can build Huscarles instead.

[antisocialmunky]

Problem is that the AI Vikings are such a short-lived threat before they run out of puff that it hardly seems worth it when you can build Huscarles instead.

Mod them with 1000000k or whatever sum of cash to get them off the ground.

[Ludens]

I'm not sure how much they'd improve if you train them in East Seaxe where they get the valor bonus; I don't think I've noticed much of a difference.

The valour bonus gives +1 attack, +1 defense, +2 morale, which makes them equal to Fyrdmen, but with +1 defense, so it is well worth the effort.

[SauveQuiPeut]

The valour bonus gives +1 attack, +1 defense, +2 morale, which makes them equal to Fyrdmen, but with +1 defense, so it is well worth the effort.

Except just next door in Kent you can train Fyrdmen +1...