Ghazi Infantry - Yes or No

**Ludens** · 02-03-2006, 20:48

I am not really a fan of death-or-glory charges, and rather prefer to run in circles around my opponents while pelting them with arrows or javelins. However, when I do need to order such a charge, I find that Ghazi's usually do the job admirably, and if they don't, well, they are cheap and they can do a lot of damage against armoured opponents.

**Martok** · 02-03-2006, 22:03

Originally Posted by Ludens

I am not really a fan of death-or-glory charges

And you call yourself a MTW player?? For shame!

**antisocialmunky** · 02-03-2006, 23:17

And that's why the Crusades never suceeded...

**caravel** · 02-04-2006, 02:01

I use Ghazis in conjunction with Saracen infantry as flankers to destroy heavy cavalry. They excel in this role and are better than Abyssinian guard in almost every respect except armour and that they are not elite. When attacking heavy cavalry head on through the ranks of the Saracens and under missile fire I prefer to deploy the abyssinians, armoured up, as they tend to survive alot longer. I keep the Ghazis near the flanks in readiness, preferably in the woods in order to protect them from missiles and cavalry charges and enable them to take on any cavalry stupid enough to venture in there.

**Cowhead418** · 02-04-2006, 22:45

Definately do not use Ghazis against unarmoured troops. I've used Ghazis against Peasants or Urban Militia with bad results. They won of course but lost way too many to my liking. Ghazis do much better against the enemy's elite armoured troops.

**Ludens** · 02-05-2006, 19:03

Originally Posted by Beorhtwulf

I use Ghazis in conjunction with Saracen infantry as flankers to destroy heavy cavalry. They excel in this role and are better than Abyssinian guard in almost every respect except armour and that they are not elite.

Elite status only influences morale: elite units suffer less of a penalty when non-elites route. Since Ghazis are pretty much fire-and-forget troops, the lack of elite status does not really bother me. Their morale is sturdy enough anyway, and if they do get annihilated they don't take my elite troops with them when they rout. To be honest, I think Abyssinians would be better without it. Their morale is less but their fighting skill not much better, so they can get annihilated rather quickly.

Originally Posted by Cowhead418

Definately do not use Ghazis against unarmoured troops. I've used Ghazis against Peasants or Urban Militia with bad results. They won of course but lost way too many to my liking. Ghazis do much better against the enemy's elite armoured troops.

While I agree that they are better used against armour, Ghazis should not perform worse against peasants. After all, the AP bonus is never greater than the defensive bonus of the armour.

**Roark** · 02-06-2006, 00:11

Ghazis dominate.

Great for ambushing, flanking, charging and... just killing in general.

**Scurvy** · 02-06-2006, 21:55

hmm imk not a massive ghazi fan, i prefer nizaris anyway

**Cowhead418** · 02-07-2006, 01:05

Originally Posted by Ludens

While I agree that they are better used against armour, Ghazis should not perform worse against peasants. After all, the AP bonus is never greater than the defensive bonus of the armour.

I never said they did worse against peasants. I'm just saying that since they have such low defense, they will take casualties against every unit, so it's not worth wasting them against peasants. Troops with even crappy defense can take on peasants with losing next to nothing. Considering the amount of casualties the Ghazis will take versus the amount of damage you are doing to your opponent by routing his peasants, you can see why it is not worthwhile to use them in this way.

**antisocialmunky** · 02-07-2006, 04:10

It's not going to matter in the late game anyways, at that point you can build anything you want.

**rvg** · 02-20-2006, 18:22

Originally Posted by Caravellini

I use Ghazis in conjunction with Saracen infantry as flankers to destroy heavy cavalry. They excel in this role and are better than Abyssinian guard in almost every respect except armour and that they are not elite. When attacking heavy cavalry head on through the ranks of the Saracens and under missile fire I prefer to deploy the abyssinians, armoured up, as they tend to survive alot longer. I keep the Ghazis near the flanks in readiness, preferably in the woods in order to protect them from missiles and cavalry charges and enable them to take on any cavalry stupid enough to venture in there.

Abyssinian guards do not evaporate on contact though. Ghazis have an excellent initial charge and all, but their staying power is nil and their death is pretty much guaranteed, unless they are flanking and arent counterattacked.

Abyssinians on the other hand (especially w/ the armor upgrade) routinely outlive their opponents in respectable numbers (usually about half a unit).

**acesman** · 02-20-2006, 21:58

I like to use Ghazi Infantry as the Turks in early. At that stage in the game, the Turks have very few heavy hitters (Armenian Heavy and Khwarazmian Cavalry). If I need to kill a king or high general, pin him with Saracens, kill them with Ghazi. Not elegant, but effective.