Russian Units

[Aenlic]

I agree with Suvorov in most details.

I am extremely disappointed in the spear militia and the dismounted cavalry options.

For the game, I think the Novgorod starting position was probably the best choice considering the eventual massive Mongol and Timurid incursions. It gives the Russians a better chance to expand. Perhaps it would have been better to call them the Novgorods. Starting the faction, whatever it is called, in Kiev would place them into earlier competition with both the Polish and the Hungarians before having a chance to expand and build up armies.

When we get some major faction modding going after the patch and the arrival of the unpacker, I suspect someone will give the Russians a second province to balance them out a bit. Then it might be possible to have both Rus and the independent Republic of Novgorod at the same time and make it work.

Modding is going to be the key here. Luckily, we're in the right place.

As an aside, the restored version with subtitles of the wonderful 1938 black and white Russian film, Alexander Nevsky has been showing on the Independent Film Channel lately for those who have cable and that channel. It is a masterpiece and of particular interest to MTW players, with its scenes talking about dealing with the heavily armored "Master" and his "Germans" (the Teutonic Knights) and their dreaded wedge cavalry charge. Wonderful stuff. MTW players should watch it if they can.