I to a large extend agree with Noir in that the beauty of this game lies in the combined arms approach. In some of the "pics and history" AAR the battles have been won with a setup of 3 arbs and 13 halbs. And the AI got slaugtered. What happened???

There should be a unit to counter other units, also under different circumstances. Having said that, I find it very important that there is some kind of upgrading your units, otherwise the game would be about unit-producing. The choice between spending money on upgrades or new units is essential to the gameplay IMO.

Having said that, a fully upgraded killer arbs & halbs stack that can take on 16 stacks of mongols and win just isn't fun. I havn't modded the game but 'roleplayed' my way out of it. Sending crusades with much less troops than available, not building specific units though affordable ect. If people want easy victories - let them have them. I want challenges.

Thats why I still play on expert, as the enemy army might not break as easily, and has a decent chance of routing me from the field. Wich in fact they often do, though I consider myself a decent player. I still get victories with breaking armies, though I have to admit this often only happens when the general dies/flees.

I think we should either close this discussion or move it to a topic called "expert vs. hard"

yours,

/HG