Ideal Army Composition by Tech: Mil Tech & Combat Width

Ideal army composition for every tech

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Ideal army composition by tech
• Notes and sources
• Best unit type for every tech and tech group
• Western
• African
• Anatolian
• Chinese
• Eastern
• Indian
• Muslim
• Native American
• Nomad

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Overview

This document captures the ideal army composition for every tech level, focusing on Mil tech, combat width, infantry, cavalry, and cannons. It provides a progression from tech 0 through 32, highlighting when artillery begins to outperform infantry in the fire phase and noting fluctuations in flank range that affect cavalry usefulness. The data draws on Zwirbaum’s unit guide and public analyses (e.g., videos by darkfireslide), and includes regional tables of best unit types by tech group with nuanced notes.

Primary topics and keywords: tech levels, military tech (Mil tech), combat width, infantry, cavalry, artillery, regional tech trees, unit optimization, Zwirbaum.

Ideal army composition by tech

Best unit type for every tech and tech group According to Zwirbaum. Yellow cells contain notes with nuances [1]. Red cells mean you stick with old units [2].

(Groups are sorted alphabetically after Western)

Western

African

Anatolian

Chinese

Eastern

Indian

Muslim

Native American

Nomad

[1] Except for the two sells to the right of this one.

[2] Header backgrounds are excempt

[3] Highlander is better at tech 19, Gustavian at 20-22. I put Gustavian here because people may only consider switching when a new unit gets unlocked.

[4] If you may not have enough armies to reinforce all the fronts you're fighting on, pick the more defensive option; Red Coat Inf.

[5] If you may not have enough armies to reinforce all the fronts you're fighting on, pick the more defensive option; Square Inf.

[6] If your puny foes' armies don't fill the combat width, take Armee Blanche Cavalry.

[7] Zwirbaum: If you have much really good generals with a lot of fire pips, +combat ability and discipline, I would probably go for Eastern Carabineer from previous category. If you see you have problem with infantry holding out, and crumbling really fast (retreating) have problems with morale, choose Eastern New Model Infantry.

[8] Zwirbaum: You should see, what are your biggest problems, enemy fire phase is devastating for you? (You have generals with low amount of fire pips) Stick with Eastern Skirmishers. Otherwise go Reformed Lancers, and deliever nice shock damage, and weep over glory of the days past.

[9] Longbow is better at tech 3

[10] If you outnumber your enemies, Samura i cav. are better

[11] Zwirbaum: At tech 5 you could consider staying with Footsoldiers, because fire damage modifier is low at tech 5, and Footsoldiers have better defensive morale, but all in all, Arquebussiers are better

[12] North Indian Musket Inf may be better if you have a lot of morale boosts.

[13] Zwirbaum: If you're flanking enemy, this unit is better over Dai-Phat Cavalry from this tier, due to the better offensive shock value.

[14] Zwirbaum: If your high command is inept at leading your men to fire at broad side of barn (0 fire pips etc.), you can stay with Marathas, to at least mitigate some damage done to your cavalry from enemy fire.

[15] If you have great general with a lot of fire pips, and have good combat ability, advantageous terrain, discipline, pick previous unit (Afsharid)

[16] If you have problem with morale switch to new Muslim Rifle Infantry.

[17] Charge is better at tech 3.

[18] For better flanking. Afsharid if you find yourself suffering too much losses, especially during firing phase.

[19] For better flanking. Dragoons if you find yourself suffering too much losses, especially during firing phase.

[19] For better flanking. Dragoons if you find yourself suffering too much losses, especially during firing phase.

[20] For better flanking. Durrani Swivel, if you find yourself suffering too much losses, especially during firing phase.

[21] Slingshots deal more casualties, while American Forest Warriors deal more morale damage. Depends on situation, morale modifiers, you may consider one of these two

[22] One have one more offensive morale pip, and another one more defensive fire pip. Choose to what you like, and need the most.

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