Yes^

The same results could be expected when playing mtw.

For example, if a player took byz and had 2 xbows, 2 archers, and 4 trebs vs 3 pavs and did not space them correctly, he could expect to lose great numbers to the pavs.

What the guy could(should) have done was keep his Adventuriers back and then after my pavs were down to half strength(which the xbows and archers did) bring his adventuriers up and attack my infantry or cavalry, forcing an attack on his terms.

Instead he kept his adventuriers too close to his other shooters, so they took losses throughout the shootout, then he moved them up to engage my pavs - which at that point were about 1/4 strength. This caused them even more damage, thus when the main fight came, any melee value they had was gone.

PS. We had equal numbers of swords and cavalry. In fact, it was exacltly the same amount of cav. I had 2 more spears than he had. (4 to his 2) Therefore, if he had used his adventuriers correctly, he would have actually had 2 more melee units than me. (I did not bring a full 20 units)