Quote Originally Posted by Caravel
What he said ^^^

Missiles are very good defensively and not so useful offensively. I could not imagine playing defensive battles without some missile units. They are vital for wearing down enemy units before engaging them in melee, this saves your melee units from taking massive losses.
What he said:

In addition... since I have been playing the Russian Steppes factions...I would always take a few, but specific types...

I NEVER build regular archers, nuff said... but...

out of all the early factions one can play, I'd say the Boyars are the best, and can kick some butt verses any Mongol units, since you'll be building them ASAP to get ready for the Mongols

For the factions, no matter if Lithuanian, Cuman, Keivan, Volga.. Horse archers will be a main gun....I do use mounted crossbowman often when they show up, and then switch to the "Elites" when they do...

But if I use archers, I use "elite" horse archers, for the speed and weapon...

That is why when I play the Novos, I have the King WITH the princes to form a big block of Boyars, supported with Armored Spearmen and a few other units to give it some punch.. and that stack usually has high morale, high command, very good defense and so casualties are few.