Tactics with Rodok infantry

[Woreczko]

Hi!
I`m playing slightly modified native version of M&B. Mainly it has Mirathei formations and custom-made Rodok mounted crossbowmen added (basically a vet. crossbowman on a saddle horse). Unfortunately my struggles with Swadia and (particularly) Nords aren`t going as well, as I would like to. Therefore, I`m looking for a bit of advice, on how to coordinate your spearmen and crossbowmen in the field. Are formations worth using? What is the the best ratio of crossbows to spears? Should I use them as separate "regiments" or is it better to move them in single body?

Thanks

 

[Tzsak]

Make infantry stand close together and hold ground somewhere (if you're up against cavalry, on a hill). Position your crossbowmen so that they can fire at the enemy without your infantry being in the way (higher up on the hill or to the side somewhere if you don't think they'll be attacked there). To move around, I'd recommend moving them on the tactical map or using move forward 10 paces so that they don't get separated too much. Keeping them close together is probably the most important thing. Once your crossbowmen run out of ammo they can still be pretty decent infantry, and since they have big shields they can be good at closing in on enemy archers, as well as flanking enemy formations or just bolstering your infantry. On the subject of how your infantry to crossbowmen ratio, it doesn't matter too much but I tend to keep it around 50/50 unless I'm fighting lots of cavalry, in which case I'll have a few more infantry.

 

[notoriousRED]

Rhodok infantry? Rhodocks? Doomed. Your doomed. You ALL doomed. EVERYTHING IS DOOMED!!!

 

[Woreczko]

Make infantry stand close together and hold ground somewhere (if you're up against cavalry, on a hill). Position your crossbowmen so that they can fire at the enemy without your infantry being in the way (higher up on the hill or to the side somewhere if you don't think they'll be attacked there). To move around, I'd recommend moving them on the tactical map or using move forward 10 paces so that they don't get separated too much. Keeping them close together is probably the most important thing. Once your crossbowmen run out of ammo they can still be pretty decent infantry, and since they have big shields they can be good at closing in on enemy archers, as well as flanking enemy formations or just bolstering your infantry. On the subject of how your infantry to crossbowmen ratio, it doesn't matter too much but I tend to keep it around 50/50 unless I'm fighting lots of cavalry, in which case I'll have a few more infantry.

My army got a bit more experienced already. With vet. spearmen and sergeants Rhodok infantry fares much better. I think in the beginning, when you mainly fight infantry-based parties, it`s best to concentrate on crossbowmen. Early crossbows seem to be better than spearmen in melee with infantry, not to mention thier ranged weapon...
Spearmen, not surpirsingly, are quite effective vs. cavalry. Better ones, who also get more handy weapons (clubs, swords, etc.), can wrestle it with infantry too. However most common spear+pavise combo is utterly ineffective in a fight with competent footmen.

Now my main problem is in good timing, as to when to recall the crossbowmen into formation. I tend to do it too late and they get butchered before my infantry manages to get into close, hedgehog formation.

 

[Archonsod]

I generally find for best effect you shouldn't bother with formations for the Rhodocks. Order them to hold ground at the start (or on top of a hill, if one is nearby) and stand close. The spearmen will protect the crossbowmen while they're reloading that way, and the crossbowmen make up for the lack of punch with the spears if any fool tries going toe to toe.
If you're up against a large body of infantry you can order your own infantry to charge, which should bring the spearmen out slightly in front of the crossbowmen; though it deprives them of the highly useful crossbowmen partners it does help keep the bowmen alive for a bit longer.

 

[mouthnhoof]

If you use formations, you'd want your men tightly packed against a cavalry charge. You'd want more than 1 line of troops in order to prevent the horses from running through your line. A box formation is great for this. Forget about using your sharpshooters against cavalry - their rate of fire is too slow, but they are great melee fighters and nasty with their picks. Order them to hold fire and they will draw their picks and shields. A Rhodok box of mixed shooters and sergeants/spearmen, should hold well against a charge.

If you are facing infantry, you'd want your spearmen clustered, but not in a box so more men can come into the action and catch the arrows for your shooters. Do not let the spearmen charge while the shooters are behind giving "covering fire" - the spearmen will be butchered (unless they have a large number of sergeants). The way to go is to slowly advance the spearmen and shooter together until you are very close to the enemy. This way the shooters can soften up the enemy and the spearmen soak up the incoming arrows with their shields. When you order the charge, also order the shooters to cease fire - they will join the melee and will be much more effective. Rhodok sharpshooters double as your offensive infantry. The spearmen are defensive units till they become sergeants.

 

[Swadius 2.0]

Rhodok troops are expendable, compared to Huscarls, Vaegir sharpshooters, or Swadian knights. So don't be too miffed over the prospect of losing quite a few of them.

 

[Tzsak]

Rhodok troops are expendable, compared to Huscarls, Vaegir sharpshooters, or Swadian knights. So don't be too miffed over the prospect of losing quite a few of them.

True dat. Rhodoks level ridiculously easily so it's no big deal if your entire army is annihiliated, you'll be back with a bigger one in a week or two =D

 

[Dragon13]

Rhodok troops are expendable, compared to Huscarls, Vaegir sharpshooters, or Swadian knights. So don't be too miffed over the prospect of losing quite a few of them.

True dat. Rhodoks level ridiculously easily so it's no big deal if your entire army is annihiliated, you'll be back with a bigger one in a week or two =D

Then explain how 1 of my sergeants can take down a Huscarl one-on-one with full damage to allies? Same with Swad. Knights. (Course, talking Vanilla here).

Their crossbowmen are decent too. While not the best (Vaegir marksmen, duh), they pack a decent punch together on elevated platforms (Why their so deadly in sieges).

 

[Fall of Denial]

Then explain how 1 of my sergeants can take down a Huscarl one-on-one with full damage to allies? Same with Swad. Knights. (Course, talking Vanilla here).
Their crossbowmen are decent too. While not the best (Vaegir marksmen, duh), they pack a decent punch together on elevated platforms (Why their so deadly in sieges).

They either get lucky, or you weakened the enemy. Generally Hscarls will win.
And also depends on the scenario. I wouldn't doubt a Rhodok sergeant killing the Husclar from behind...

And yeah, crossbowmen are alright.

 

[fragonard]

In the latest version, Rhodoks seem to have improved a little.  I find that I now prefer sharpshooters to marksmen because they are so much better in melee. Not only do Rhodoks seem to survive longer but they much faster to replace when they do get killed. As far as Huscarls vs. Sergeants, I think it depends on the situation.  On the open field, I would rather have Huscarls but in siege defense, Sergeants rule. I think I'm going all Rhodok in my next game.

 

[Archonsod]

Then explain how 1 of my sergeants can take down a Huscarl one-on-one with full damage to allies? Same with Swad. Knights. (Course, talking Vanilla here).

Um, a farmer can manage the same thing; it all depends on how stupid the AI is feeling at that moment in time.

 

[Dragon13]

Then explain how 1 of my sergeants can take down a Huscarl one-on-one with full damage to allies? Same with Swad. Knights. (Course, talking Vanilla here).

Um, a farmer can manage the same thing; it all depends on how stupid the AI is feeling at that moment in time.

K.

All i have to say now is AI. But still, in my Nord game, Rhodok sergeants are DEADLY, even with a lot of huscarls.

 

[Sparkyninja]

Rhodok infantry? Rhodocks? Doomed. Your doomed. You ALL doomed. EVERYTHING IS DOOMED!!!

Except Swadia