"The best all around army to use: *4 archers (use arabesques>cross
bosw>archers, never use guns, the enemy will attack when it rains and nullify
them.) *4 Spearmen, pikes, etc. *2 heavy infantry *The rest mounted
To use: select all and push the 6 button (you may have to anlge the two end
units so the computer doesn't try to flank you. The computer will approach (when
you are defending) or line up and approach the computer (when you are
attacking). The computer will stop about bow range so you should be able to just
stand there and shoot him (stop at bow range when attacking.) Then the computer
will usually mull around while you shoot him to pieces. If he does appear to
attack send your entire front line of infantry into the melee. AT the same time
send all your mounted soldiers to the side on the PC army and even around to the
back (I usually send them after the archers to stop them from shooting.) Once
you have the PC army surrounded flank and rear attack with your calvery. With in
30 seconds a PC unit will break and the whole army will collapse. But, since you
have him surrounded he can not escape and you will take MASSIVE mounts of
prisoners. I regularly kill 2 or 3 thousand men (if I kill my prisoners) and
rarely loose more than 1 or 2 hundred of my people in the process." - Roland
"When dealing with the Papacy, avoid eliminating the faction until
you've conquered the rest of the map as, unlike other factions, the Papacy
return every few years. Instead leave the Pope with just one province (I
recommend Rome) and surround this province with at least one full army in each
bordering province. If the Papal province has a castle, you can periodically
send troops in to 'cull' the Pope's armies, before pulling out, without fear of
eliminating the faction. This tactic of not eliminating the Papacy until last is
especially important if you have the Viking Invasion expansion pack, as they
always seem to return in much larger numbers (around 3-5000 men, including loads
of knights), and can ravage the rest of Italy which by now should be under your
control. The other benefit of keeping the Papacy weak is that the Pope's
influence will diminish; thus any calls for crusades against your faction should
be ignored by the other Catholic factions." - The Evil One
"Never Underestimate your enemy's force, If you do you could lose the advantage and lose the battle, and ferther more the entire war." - King Bevan The Conqueror
"The Papacy is a silly enemy to most Christian Nations in the game. Playing
as Italy, I was invaded by many foes. After heroically batting them back, I
began to invade. The Pope excommunicated me. Thinking quickly, I rushed an army
down and caught the Pope in battle. I then ran my calvary around and behind him.
After his army fell, he attempted to flee.
I soon had him prisoner. Before leaving the battle screen, I executed all
prisoners. The Pope was dead and a puppet Pope was in power under me, A.K.A. the
new God. Excommunications were null and void. I strongly suggest whacking the
Pope.
For battles, I suggest the halbediers. (sp.) They have been an asset in many a
campaign." - Baron von Frank
