Explorer Trick

[DarkSchneider]

Alright, right before you send your main invasion force to attack someone, try this trick. Train a number of explorers and make sure they will be built with 2 promotions when they are finished. Get the hills and forests upgrade, then declare war and sit on a hilled forest in your enemies territory. For some reason the AI can't help trying to kill them, despite the enormous defensive bonuses they will be getting. Explorers are cheap to produce and I've seen one group take out a number of units that woudl otherwise have been defending the AIs cities.

[hands]

wont declaring war immediately push your units outside their borders ?
not too sure.

[bobtheflob]

Originally Posted by hands

wont declaring war immediately push your units outside their borders ?
not too sure.

I think he meant move them there after declaring war.

Can explorers pillage? I never really build them, but they'd be useful pillaging mines on hills and roads in forrests while absorbing that damage.

[rewster1]

Explorers can't pillage, but if you play as the mongols, they can defend against spearmen in forests while your keshiks pillage. Mongols I've found to be very good at pillaging at this stage in the game.

[·Imhotep·]

Well, there is even a better use for Explorers. Run Theocracy + Vassalage, produce some Explorers, and give 'em Medic II Promotion. Send 'em with your main stacks. Perfect !