So, i may not get to play M&B for a few days, so I will explain my strategies for a little bit. For mercenaries, i usually have about 10 mercenary crossbowmen with me, 15 watchmen, and five caravan guards. this is a basic starting mercenary army. If you are going up against looters, just attack with everyone. but for pretty much everything else, heres what to do.
SCENARIO
your small mercenary army has caught up with the 17 sea raiders you had been chasing all day. Finally it was time for battle. you should position your mercenary crossbowmen on the nearest hill that you find, and right below them, you put your infantry. you tell your caravan guard to follow you, so they don't run straight in and die right away, and then you and your cavalry charge once your crossbowmen start shooting at the enemy. then, once you even out the enemy team, order your watchmen to charge.
thats the most basic strategy in the book. and it works amazingly too.
Now, i will tell you some common knowledge, and some not-so-obvious facts about mercenaries.
1: they cost a lot of money to recruit, so don't just get merc's for your first troops.
2: if you want a sizable army of mercenaries, you will need from about 6000 to 10000 Denars before starting your recruitment.
3: recruiting merc's is a hassle. for one, you can only go to cities to recruit them, and they are far apart. sometimes you won't even find the ones you want in the city tavern.
4: even if they look good, they really aren't. I mean, yea, mercenaries are pretty good soldiers, but you lose a lot of them quickly. especially with watchmen, so don't ONLY get them.
5:Mercenary swordsmen are a very good infantry troop. they are cheaper than hired blades, and waaaay better than watchmen on ANY day. so don't rely on your watchmen too much.
6; Hired blades are not as good as everyone says they are. I lost less swadian seargents in the same battles that i ran SS and HB. but they are a very good troop choice.
thats all for the moment. ill keep blabbering on later if i get the chance.