Men Without Horses

[JohnathanStrange]

I've been riding into so many battles with my knights and horsemen; we literally roll over so many enemies. And it was cool - the first hundred times.

However, when I'm on horseback and mobile, oh so mobile, there's a lot less challenge for me: I can hang back out of reach and shoot arrows or I can gallop in, slash and kill and ride away just as quick. It's a lot of fun, yet...

Fighting on foot is more unforgiving. You can't just attack three or four sea raiders unless you've got some tactic or plan: your Vaegir infantry allies within arm's reach or the enemies are already occupied. You've got to be fairly good at timing your attacks or you'll get too injured to face six or seven more.

So asking you infantry enthusiasts and melee veterans: Any tricks? Any advice on valuable skills? Notable battles. Enemies to avoid attacking - as an example, maybe it would be unwise for an infantry hero to attack Swadian crossbowmen deserters? If he did, how should he do it?

 

[Ilex]

Well only way for footsoldiers to beat those who are mounted is: tactic. Formations few lines of pikemen should ward enemy cavarly off. One way to go around the problem is to improve the AI to form formations and such (yea I know this might be hard to do). Also footsoldiers should not charge at the mounted troops, but cunningly try to dismount them: evading the attacks (block with a shield) and then attacking the horse.
One way could be that have nearly every foot unit (not bandits and such) carry a spear. Spears are already a bit of pain in the ass versus mounted troops. This might work. And spears (IRL) arent too expensive to produce (the reason why spear was so largely used) so there should not be anything unrealistic about it.
EDIT: and for horses being too powerful, that is why knights nearly always used em.

 

[jackx]

The biggest problem I have when playing on foot is not enemy cavalry, good positioning and a weapon with a bit of reach (basically you want to hit the horse before the rider hits you) get the job done most of the time, but enemies with ranged weapons and getting swarmed...

Taking on a group of crossbowmen or sea raiders on horseback is hard enough, but on foot it's nearly suicidal... the same goes for fighting multiple enemies... unless you can cut through them extremely fast (1-2 hits), they'll force you on the defense and wear you down...

bottom line: Fighting on foot isn't harder per se, it's just less suited to "soloing", and since the AI is often more than a bit problematic, you end up having quite some problems...

However, it's also very rewarding... like when you see that arrogant bastard of a Swadian knight bearing down on you, then bring his horse down with a well-placed axe-throw so that he falls right at your feet, and just as he tries to rise, you cleave his skull with your two-handed axe...

My most enjoyable moment on foot so far was tearing through a group of mountain bandits with a sword of war... cut down two riders while charging towards them, then hacked all the infantry to pieces while my AI companions all went after the third rider...


Edit: Not much of a general tactic or a strategy, but I found it extremely easy to get a "headshot" in on most enemies with a two-handed-sword using a simple feint...
first, you ready a thrust well before the enemy is in range...
then, still before you are in range, the enemy should get his block up...
now you start your thrust, which should result in the enemy lowering his block...
however, instead of carrying out the attack, you stop it by tapping "block", move into range and deliver an overhead swing...


Of coure this works to some extent with all weapons and all types of attack, but with the great sword, there's virtually no delay going from thrust to block to overhead swing...

 

[JohnathanStrange]

The biggest problem I have when playing on foot is not enemy cavalry, good positioning and a weapon with a bit of reach (basically you want to hit the horse before the rider hits you) get the job done most of the time, but enemies with ranged weapons and getting swarmed...

Taking on a group of crossbowmen or sea raiders on horseback is hard enough, but on foot it's nearly suicidal... the same goes for fighting multiple enemies... unless you can cut through them extremely fast (1-2 hits), they'll force you on the defense and wear you down...

bottom line: Fighting on foot isn't harder per se, it's just less suited to "soloing", and since the AI is often more than a bit problematic, you end up having quite some problems...

However, it's also very rewarding... like when you see that arrogant bastard of a Swadian knight bearing down on you, then bring his horse down with a well-placed axe-throw so that he falls right at your feet, and just as he tries to rise, you cleave his skull with your two-handed axe...

My most enjoyable moment on foot so far was tearing through a group of mountain bandits with a sword of war... cut down two riders while charging towards them, then hacked all the infantry to pieces while my AI companions all went after the third rider...


Edit: Not much of a general tactic or a strategy, but I found it extremely easy to get a "headshot" in on most enemies with a two-handed-sword using a simple feint...
first, you ready a thrust well before the enemy is in range...
then, still before you are in range, the enemy should get his block up...
now you start your thrust, which should result in the enemy lowering his block...
however, instead of carrying out the attack, you stop it by tapping "block", move into range and deliver an overhead swing...


Of coure this works to some extent with all weapons and all types of attack, but with the great sword, there's virtually no delay going from thrust to block to overhead swing...

Thanks for the replies.

That's what I'm looking for... more rewarding play, more challenges.

Liked the tactical tip too.

 

[Arathiel]

yeah, i really love fighting on foot. It's more gritty, like you're one of the men, not some mounted god. My favorite tactic against charging horsemen is to meet their charge head on with a thrust readied from my sword of war, the let their horse impale themeselves on the thrust, which, due to their momentum, usually kills them. Then killing the dismounted rider is easy. I've also been working on jumping headshots with my SOW as they ride by... a little tricky, but oh so satisfying!

 

[oj121]

I have a nice heafty Great Axe that i prepare with a right side swing. I position myself so that the rider has to abort his charge and try to go past my right hand side just as i cut straight through his torso. I have noticed if i do this and aim at the horses head more often than not the blow carries through and kills the enemy Knight/ horseman in one blow.

 

[JohnathanStrange]

I've taken a liking to fighting on foot because there's more of a challenge to it. I've been trying different weapons, not for their effectiveness necessarily but for variety: man, I'm lucky the combat's so good or I'd have put M&B aside.

 

[mike-]

well for me, i use black armor and a reinforced great axe. so i've got PLENTY of reach for foot combat.

 

[macweirdo42]

I'm an archer, and use my bow to shoot down enemy cavalry. Difficult to do at a distance, but at closer range it works quite nicely. Heck, I remember one time I had four horses charging me, and I managed to dispense of all of them. For me, archery's just more fun in general. You see a swarm of enemy troops in the distance, and then you drop 'em before they even get a chance to touch you. Of course, if you don't work fast enough or there are too many, then you're in trouble, but there's just something very satisfying about mowing them down like that.

 

[n00854180t]

I've been riding into so many battles with my knights and horsemen; we literally roll over so many enemies. And it was cool - the first hundred times.

However, when I'm on horseback and mobile, oh so mobile, there's a lot less challenge for me: I can hang back out of reach and shoot arrows or I can gallop in, slash and kill and ride away just as quick. It's a lot of fun, yet...

Fighting on foot is more unforgiving. You can't just attack three or four sea raiders unless you've got some tactic or plan: your Vaegir infantry allies within arm's reach or the enemies are already occupied. You've got to be fairly good at timing your attacks or you'll get too injured to face six or seven more.

So asking you infantry enthusiasts and melee veterans: Any tricks? Any advice on valuable skills? Notable battles. Enemies to avoid attacking - as an example, maybe it would be unwise for an infantry hero to attack Swadian crossbowmen deserters? If he did, how should he do it?

High agility and skill in the weapon you use. Speed is a great ally in foot battles. If you can land a hit while they're swinging, you have the upper hand. Athletics is also good, you can back up, then rush forward slightly as your attack goes through, then rush back out of range.

 

[DaLagga]

After feeling like an overpowered deity on horse, i made a foot soldier. With several points into athletics and wearing light armor, i can kill almost any army by myself, except for dark knights of course, and those pesky hose archers, since they can't be caught on foot. Yesterday i killed a group of 50+ sea raiders solo on foot, and took very little damage. Its all about the timing. Also, i find the sword of war to be the absolute best foot weapon. And the great axe best when mounted. I use 2 packs of throwing axes as sidearms, and a shield of course. Also, if you play it right, you can take out a group of 50 or so crossbowmen without taking a single hit, even to your shield(from bolts that is). Remember, they never fire if there is an ally in their line of site.

 

[Rando]

Yes, fighting on foot is much harder than fighting while on a horse. However, one should come to expect this from a game called MOUNT & Blade. I mean, seriously! If you are playing a game called Laser Rifles & Hover Motorcycles, of course playing the arquebusier class will be slightly disadvantaged no matter how you play it.

About the best advice I can give is, have a crossbow handy. It may not shoot as fast as a bow but, one shot from a heavy crossbow usually takes down a horse giving you some nice one on one time with it's rider while your sharpshooters/sergeants (cause if you don't use a horse, why should your army?) distract the other guys.

 

[JohnathanStrange]

Yes, fighting on foot is much harder than fighting while on a horse. However, one should come to expect this from a game called MOUNT & Blade. I mean, seriously! If you are playing a game called Laser Rifles & Hover Motorcycles, of course playing the arquebusier class will be slightly disadvantaged no matter how you play it.

The point of the original post: fighting on foot is more challenging and so potentially more rewarding to win. It wasn't a complaint about fighting on foot but more about an opportunity for others to describe how they fight on foot and why the increased difficulty is fun.

Given the unfinished state of the game, some of us who've been playing for a long time are seeking something to keep the game fresh. Fighting on foot is one way.

 

[Otto Von Lanstien]

I'm an archer and use a war bow and war axe. It's actually probably too easy with the new crosshair. I can hit 5 mounted enemies in the row with a headshot consistenly and from distance.... but then my proficieny is maxed.

I found fighting on foot much more fun. When dealing with mounted enemies I either step to the side and hack at the lower torso (for some reason seems the most garunteed killzone for horsemen) or I step in front and swipe early. The horse will stop and you can hack them to bits. Doesn't work so well now that they can knock you over though.

One request: Lower damage & weapon reach for maces but also a cool "shellshock" effect as seen in Call of Duty if you are hit over the head.

 

[Laurence of Arabia]

fighting on foot is much more fun. Sniper crossbow deals with those early attacking horsemen. And then melee with a scimitar and shield. I wear very light, or no armor so i can move very quickly.

 

[JohnathanStrange]

fighting on foot is much more fun. Sniper crossbow deals with those early attacking horsemen. And then melee with a scimitar and shield. I wear very light, or no armor so i can move very quickly.

That's what I'm talking about: doing different tactics, trying no armor, fighting up close.

Bravo to Armagan that we can experiment and still have fun.

 

[The Pope]

One tip is to vary your attack type based on the target. If you are up against lots lightly armoured targets, slash repeatedly around head height to get the maximum amount of hits. If you are up against a few light targets, do overhead chops as they are more likely to get headshots, even though they do take a bit longer. Against armoured targets, use the thrust attack because it does piercing damage.

 

[Radja]

Everithing is very easy when you're fighting on foot against cavalry. The only way to stop charging horse is to get right in front of it. Maybe you'll loose some health (depends of horse's charge) but you'll stop it for shure. I've tried this tactics many times during combats with different enemies. (I dismounted and tryed to find the way to defeat cavalry on foot). When you stop the horse you'll know what to do... KILL!!!!!!!