Using Mercenaries

[Legorreto]

I am planning to invade one province in Spain, but have not that much troops to do so, How reliable is it to get mercenaries? Are there some ones more loyal than others in terms of types of units? What is your general opinion on them?

[Knight Templar]

They're quite useful in lack of your troops, but keep some things in mind:

1. they're usually less loyal than trained troops. However, if your other troops are loyal, it's not big problem. You can even train spies on them.
2. when hired, they're twice cheaper than same trained units
3. their upkeep is twice more expensive than upkeep of same trained units (for ex, upkeep of trained FMAA is 45 florins per turn, upkeep of merc FMAA is 90 florins per turn)

I use them when I don't have enough troops to attack someone, especially in the begining of the campaign.

[.:vVv:.Monkey]

Mercs are great if you have the money for them. However, make sure you're getting Mercs for the types of units you can't train, i.e don't get Merc Crossbowmen if you can train Crossbowmen.

They're always loyal (as long as they get their money) :) Make sure you put them under a high command/high valor general so they don't rout easily

[Knight Templar]

I forgot to add, it's somehow great to have merc Khawarezmian cav around 1092

[Weebeast]

I don't use them unless someone is knocking on my door cus I'm a neat freak. I can't tidy up mercs. I hire 'unique' units though. I just like using units that I don't have.

They're loyal the most when your king/empire is at his best shape. When a new king gets elected their loyalty goes down right away.

[Roark]

As the Byzantines, I use mercs a great deal for my invasion forces. The Byz just can't field good spearmen or polearms otherwise.

Playing as Catholic factions, I usually shop around for the best available horse archers and siege equipment (Merc Mangonels). For some reason, I'm always a little bit behind in my development of artillery.

[Martok]

Playing as Catholic factions, I usually shop around for the best available horse archers and siege equipment (Merc Mangonels). For some reason, I'm always a little bit behind in my development of artillery.

I also hire out artillery crews--particularly mangonels and trebuchets, since of course it takes a while before can train them myself. Aside from that, however, I don't use mercenaries very much. I'll hire out the occasional heavy infantry/cavalry unit, depending on my needs, but that's pretty much it. It's not that I don't like mercs; but they're generally too expensive to be worth it. I'll hire them as needed, but for no longer than is necessary. I always replace mercenaries in my employ with my "home-grown" versions as soon as I'm able.