swordspider
Dread Multiplayer
Ok, so quick observation here based on my SP and MP playing, it appears that after the Horsemen were castrated in the latest patch, that now Longswordsmen have become the focus of much ire. There are clear differences, notably the requirement of iron and the depth in the tech tree, BUT, with that said it appears the first to Longs who then uses them immediately has a serious advantage, much like the first to Rifles. A lot of people (especially in MP) are saying they need to be nerfed to. I disagree, but figured I would poll on it.
Case: I did some attack tests without healing and a single longswordsman (on equal unit terrain modifiers) can take out : 4 spears, 4 warriors, 9 archers, 3 swords, 3 pikes - without dieing (he has 1 or 2 HP left at the end of those attack sequences). Obviously, the cost of the unit is far superior to those units, but you are guaranteed a promotion during those attacks and if you choose to heal, you have effectively doubled the unit effectiveness.
Actual MP Gameplay example: I took 5 Longs (I had a general with them in this example) and took out 11 spears, 7 archers, and 4 horsemen along with 5 cities (obviously utilizing the healing upgrade option) and lost only 1 while decimating the opponent's entire civilization. I still think it was fair based on the fact that I had to stress my cities to get the tech first and only built 5 warriors which I turned into swords and then longs... BUT the defender rage-quit saying the whole thing was trash.
So anyway, what is the general consensus?
Case: I did some attack tests without healing and a single longswordsman (on equal unit terrain modifiers) can take out : 4 spears, 4 warriors, 9 archers, 3 swords, 3 pikes - without dieing (he has 1 or 2 HP left at the end of those attack sequences). Obviously, the cost of the unit is far superior to those units, but you are guaranteed a promotion during those attacks and if you choose to heal, you have effectively doubled the unit effectiveness.
Actual MP Gameplay example: I took 5 Longs (I had a general with them in this example) and took out 11 spears, 7 archers, and 4 horsemen along with 5 cities (obviously utilizing the healing upgrade option) and lost only 1 while decimating the opponent's entire civilization. I still think it was fair based on the fact that I had to stress my cities to get the tech first and only built 5 warriors which I turned into swords and then longs... BUT the defender rage-quit saying the whole thing was trash.
So anyway, what is the general consensus?