I've wondered what others prefer to build, swordsmen or horsemen? Horsemen aren't as powerful but can retreat (most of the time), but swordsmen are more powerful but can't retreat. Which of these units do you like better?

I like swordsmen better because of their 3 attack, especially when I'm against the Zulus with their impis.

i'm not into horses except for scouting. they aren't very powerful on their attacks especially when they've moved once already.

I perfer Swordsmen, cause I really don't make much for Horsemen until Knights and Calvery. If I make a few Horsemen early, then I use them as armed Scouts.

I use horsemen to raid enemies. Destroying improvements on vital resources like Iron and horses help in the long run when at war with another nation...and capturing workers that venture out of cities.

Mainly they are a scout troop though.

Swordsmen are the bread and butter of my early military...

Clay

Horsemen seem to be better pillagers, but swordsmen seem to be better fighters. It's good to bring a group of both, making the horsemen pillage and the swordsmen fight.

I think Swordsmen are better. I think that because they only reason that the Horsemen are okay is because they can run from battle when they are about to die. Other than that though, the Horsemen isn't very good.

swordsmen all the way. they look alot cooler, their battle animations are better, and they're more well-rounded. horsemen are kinda gay. (they are good for exploring and pillaging, though!)

Swordsmen, definitely, one of them can usually take out a whole bunch of horsemen. Can't say I ever use Horsemen much at all.

I prefer horsemen, because they're much better at surprise attacks, especially in the early stage of the game.

Swordsman beat Horsemen if both are available.

Normally I start scouting right away in a game, sending out a couple of warriors to check nearby terrain/recruit other warriors/settlers (if I get that lucky)/secure luxuries and ressources. By the time I discover Horseback Riding 'AND' a road to the horses I need for 'em, most of my continent's already discovered.

Swordsman are great fighters early on, and tankers to boot. In the ancient era, only Ancient Cavalry and another Swordsman are likely to beat them (Archers are usually ineffective, and Horsemen typically run away).

The only downside that comes to mind is in terms of upgrading. Horsemen go to Knight, and then Cavalry, while Swordsman go to Mid. Infantry, followed by Guerillas. Knights, although they take a little longer to devellop, are much more useful than Infantry, and Cavalry come along much sooner.

swords man especially if your roman because swords man=legionary


This message was edited by Honor on Nov 09 2007.

Rome builds Legionaries, not Swordsman

Persian Immortals are better on offense anyway though.

yes but there still swords man becuase if your romean and in real life they never existed in the game you would end up with a swords man

The immortals are definately the best type of swordsmen in the game. Legionaries are ok, but I prefer specialized units, and legionaries are more well-rounded versatile units.
It's like how its better to build a longbowman and pikeman separately over building one single knight. Although you lose out on maneuverability, its cheaper, and you ultimately have MORE units with the same amount of firepower.

Only problem with Pikeman/Longbow is you don't get the movement bonus. I've never been good with launching those kinds of offenssives without suffering heavy losses.