Unusually weak and strong units

[BigTex]

I find this intriguing that the stats of most units if not all in M2TW doesn't really reflect how powerfully or weak a unit is anymore.

Either the stats are wrong or there something else thats working under the hood that we're not seeing. In both cases I can't really rely on the unit stat's to tell me whats good and whats not; I'll have to field test each unit from now on.

This happened in RTW also. The reach of the unit and the density of the formation have alot more effect then most think. Puting a units spacing down to the smallest factor can make a horrible unit nearly impregnable when in guard mode and facing frontal attacks. Also the reach of the less shielded units is very important, without a shield most attacks against them will suceed so they must outreach their foe's. Something I've noticed with the varangian guard is that they are weak once they close in tight with the enemy. They have good reach but that's meaningless up close. Also they are excellent chargers, 1 guy on a charge can cleave 2-3 enemies in a swoop with that axe.

There might be more at work also, but that will be impossible to know until there's an unpacker.

~edit: Also you may try keeping the Varangian guard and other long reach opponents in guard mode. A disciplined formation is very effective when you can outreach the opponent.