AOE-II HCA vs Arbalests in DM

[dataidiot]

Yesterday I spectated one of the 2v2s played between Kellan&TheCode vs Viper&TaToH. The game watched by me was a Japanese&Britons war. My main focus was watching True vs TaToH, both Japanese. True took a good advantage early by killing 2 of his enemy, which allowed him to get more map control. It looked he would have a better position for at least the first minutes, especially because he is one of the most experienced DM players. Well, TaToH made an usual choice, the Spanish player made Heavy Cavalry Archers instead of Arbalests. What seemed weird turned out to be very effective, as the overall stats for HCA are better than Arbalests, except for range. TaToH got better fights than Kellan and stopped the push from the American. The HCAs were also more effective fighting Onagers and Elite Longbowmen, as Viper and TheCode joined the battle at some point(50% more pierce armour and almost 100% more HP does a huge difference against 12 range units).
Full upgraded HCAs take cost-effective fights against full upgraded Arbalests in WK, and even better trade in terms of gold. Another important advantage is the "cost" of population, as you start with enough resources to get popped in DM. Even though I'm a terrible noob in DM, I believe I'm right to think you should only choose to go Arbalests over HCA if your civ lacks Thumb Ring or if you are Britons(the range is great especially to snipe Siege). I'm looking forward if the standard play for some civs will be changed as The Legacy Cup 2 starts.

 

[iViktorius]

Dont forget bloodlines, japs got bloodlines since FE.

 

[Poxo]

Could a history section be added to the recorded game analyzer? So you can tell how the population evolved through the game

 

[Theodore]

Ahh are flags no longer shown on the game thing?

 

[_PkZ_]

Could a history section be added to the recorded game analyzer? So you can tell how the population evolved through the game

Not quite sure what you mean. Explain please

 

[Poxo]

Not quite sure what you mean. Explain please

Just like the history section on othe aftermatch achievements, showing each player population (vills and military) evolution during the game.

Is just something I've been wishing for a long time.

 

[iViktorius]

this one?

 

[_PkZ_]

This should definately be possible... i will think of ways to do it.

 

[Poxo]

Yes please

 

Yes, FU HCA are better than FU Arbalests for DM, in almost all situations.

They're simply statistically better in every way. They beat Arbalests not only pop efficiently but even cost efficiently, they are better than arbs against melee units because of their speed and their higher attack (but the frame delay definitely hurts), and are better against siege because of their speed and HP. They're better at sniping vills because of their movement speed too.

The only reason I wouldn't go HCA is if against a camel civ, but even then I'd still make them as Magyars, and would have to as the Huns who don't have arbs.

 

[dataidiot]

Even against Heavy Camels, you have units in fromt of HCAs, be it Infantry, Cavalry or Siege Rams. Camels will rarely attack the HCAs(if that happens, you can retreat your HCAs, I think they are faster than Camels)

 

[JRed_Deathmatch]

Camels only work well vs HCA if the HCA player is out of position. While they technically counter HCA, they don't always work.