What ordonnance for what situation?

[al Roumi]

Firstly, my experience is almost exclusively limited to the grand campaign. I don't usually use a huge ammount of arty either, generally using only 3 units in a full stack army. That would be 2 cannon and 1 howitzer or maybe (but rarely) a puckle, mortar or rocket unit.

My stacks are generaly infantry/cavalry heavy. I usually take 6 units of line, 2 of grenadiers, at least 4 of cav and up to 2 of light inf.

As to battle tactics, one thing to note is that the AI seems to react differently to you depending on what arty you have. E.g. if you have long range arty and can score hits on the enemy, they will almost certainly move to attack you line. This can be useful if they have a lot of arty themselves as you can easier avoid it or deal with the army in individual chunks with concentrated/overwhelming force.

I find cannister great but hard to get more than 1 or 2 volleys off before the unit is either charged or shot at -in either case it needs to get out of the front line!

Cuirassiers (or any med/heavy non-lancer cav) are the ideal foot battery guard unit. I'd strongly advise against using or putting a line inf unit with fire at will on behind a battery or your gun crew will take casualties from friendly fire.

I've experimented (prior to v1.3 mostly) with flanking horse arty but i find them still too slow to mount up and thus in need of guard units. That round shot is better in v1.3 may mean that they can better flank and fire the (engaged) enemy line from a distance, without becoming a target for much attention themselves. Dragoons and light infantry are a good escort -just be careful not to split too many troops from the main body or you will enfeeble it.

As to taking out enemy guns, the best is light infantry. Bow equiped Amerinds are good as they can sneak, and any light inf in "loose" formation will last longer.

Always put cannon in the front line once you have developed cannister shot.

If you are umming and ahing about how much inf or arty to bring, think which is more flexible and durable.