Quote Originally Posted by macsen rufus
I think Turcoman Horse are about my favourites, as they have a bit of punch to them in melee (though benefit from some buffing and a province valour bonus), but are faster than SHCs, very good all-rounders IMHO. For the HRE in early the mounted crossbows are invaluable.
Turcoman Horse are also among my favourite units. They obtain a +2 valour bonus when are trained in Tripoli with a Master Horse Breeder, and have an incredible stamina if you don't give them armour upgrades. When I play with a faction that can train HA I usually deploy a large line of them (six or five units with three ranks deep) in the front of my army both in attack and defense. In defense, especially in a hill, they can rout unarmoured units before these reach my files. If the enemy approach make the HA's position vulnerable I move them fast to the rear of my infantry line. Then they can shoot from a safe position or flank the enemy. In attack I use HA in a similar manner, but against an army with a lot of crossbowmen or arbalesters this can be risky. Only if the enemy don't protect their crossbows/arbalest I usually try to catch them with my own HA. In a Byzantine campaign I used armies which consisted of 6 ByzCav, 5 ArmSp, 4 TrebArch, 1 Kata(BG) with good results (and good fun!).

I have a question about deep ranks, do you use frogbeastegg's advices in this matter (Sp in 4, Sw 2, Arch 2 ...)?