"Civilized" factions conquering the steppe

[Ymarsakar]

The EDU guide in the scriptorium states that extra hp for secondary animals does not count for horse riders. Seems to only apply to chariots and elephants.

<B>AFAIK it would be pretty normal for an army of crappy light infantry & archer/spearmen to see off the occasional half-stack nomadic raids. It's how the Iranians held the nomads at bay.</b>

That becomes a question of balance. Numbers, morale, and armor still counts given the differences I see in EB naval warfare as opposed to normal. The higher morale and armor really changes things, not to mention the numbers. I've had one onearia beat off two light pirate vessels when it got attacked. No command bonuses for either side. This compared to my pentekontes who kept getting beat by a single pirate. Still, command bonuses really do tell most of the story.

[Lgk]

The EDU guide in the scriptorium states that extra hp for secondary animals does not count for horse riders. Seems to only apply to chariots and elephants.

So scriptorium is only partially right (i'd rather say "unclear") then.

That becomes a question of balance.

Exactly. So it's worth playing with hitpoints (other factors are either dynamic or short-lived) until Armenia & CO stops blitzing the steppes every time.