How to always win a 4v4 using ALL or LATE era.

[ElmarkOFear]

I have recently noticed something interesting of late while playing online: In several 4v4 games, I have seen my opponent's team (who's teammate just so happens to be hosting) taking certain factions each time they play. This has been done by several different teams, but I thought it odd that they would all pick the following teams in when playing in the ALL and LATE era:

Spain
Portugal
Milan
Venice

I did a bit of research and noticed these are the only 4 factions with musketeers (which have a long range and cost 540, or is it 570?, florins.) There are other factions which have musketeers, but they are much more expensive. The other curious thing about the above factions is they all have some very nice spear units to help stop mostly-cav armies, plus they all have the most powerful cav knight units available.

The above combination wouldn't be so bad, but when each team member takes one of the above in a 4v4, the opposing team, will not have access to the long-range musket units, nor the good spear with great cav units.

I never worry about if I will win or not, since I enjoy playing unusual, experimental armies, but I am a bit dissappointed in what I am seeing repeatedly. It makes for boring gameplay.

I think, to be honorable, a 4-man team should at least leave one of the above factions open for the opposing team to use if they like in LATE and ALL era games. The long-range of the muskets and their killing rate, forces opponents (without such units) to rush or be shot to death. Rushing in a 4v4 game is almost always suicidal (Unless you have an experienced team familiar with the correct techniques), given the charge power and maneuverability of the knight units, and the good holding ability of the best spear units in the game.

Your typical army for the above factions normally consist of:

4 to 6 knight units
4 to 6 musket units
4 spear or pikemen units
4 dismounted knight units
with sometimes a cheaper cav unit or two included

I don't have a problem with the army mix. My problem is with the fact that a few teams are denying the same mix to their opponents by each taking one of the above factions. In 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 games it isn't a problem, since there is one of the above factions left open for the other team to all use. It is only a problem in LATE or ALL era 4v4 games.

I just thought I would bring this to everyone's attention to see what they think and to give them something to watch for. Ever since MTW, unit selection has become more significant in deciding the winner of an online battle and denying your opponents the same type of army as yours is an unfair advantage (at least to me it seems to be).

So what do you guys think? Pay attention next time you play online and see which and how many teams are using the above factions. Let me know if you see it happening more than once. :)

***ELMO ROUTS OUT OF THE FORUM***