AOE3 Forums

Out of Russia's age 3 Mercs there are 3 choices: Hackapells, Highlanders and Manchu.  Hackapells are too much like the Cossacks or Opri, so I was deciding if I was only going to put one in my deck would u advice going with the 9 highlanders or 9 Manchu?  They are fairly alike in stats, both have 400HP and counter calvary so which is better?

I would put highlanders in, i prefer them as they are units that can be used for many things other than defending against cav. Although i find manchus do a better job against cav and artillery, highlanders stand up better to RI.

Highlanders. While Manchus are overall more effective vs cavalry, Highlanders pack a huge punch vs everything, and perform better vs their counters then Manchus do. Highlanders also have better siege, so overall they're the better choice.

I disagree with you Wilson, Manchus have a faster rate of fire a much higher speed to chase cavalry and have a high hand attack resist so they are a much better choice, but if you want a unit that is stronger overall I guess Highlander is a good choice, thou I prefer strelet+manchu combo It's pretty kickass if you micro well

KillerSwede:

I disagree with you Wilson, Manchus have a faster rate of fire a much higher speed to chase cavalry and have a high hand attack resist so they are a much better choice, but if you want a unit that is stronger overall I guess Highlander is a good choice, thou I prefer strelet+manchu combo It's pretty kickass if you micro well

strelet+manchu is owned by pure abus, not even counting the probable jans and spahi on the side =P

Supppose I had mostly strelets some muskets and 5 or so falconets.  Which would do better at protecting the artillery the Manchu or the Highlanders?

Due to the heavy lack of decent russian anti-cav, I would go with 9 manchus

TheLilRatchet:

Due to the heavy lack of decent russian anti-cav, I would go with 9 manchus

+1

Why are you trying to complex the Russian rush great game? these are very expensive cards...

 

Your right I would say I win about 80% of my games as Russia with their hard rush!  But I have had several games where I force them into a small portion of the map and have my army just outside by my forward blockhouse.  This then allows me to hunt and gold mine as much as I want because I have map control.  They either do 2 things go heavy on an age 2 army and defensive turtle, (everyone knows Russia has horrible siege in age 2) or they go to Fortress and get superior units.  In order to really break through a turtle or to compete with better age 3 units I go to age 3 send 2 falconets and make 5 more at my artillery foundry and depending on the situation convert to musketeers.  This almost always wins me the game...So what would be a better compliment to this to defend my cannons, the Manchu or Highlanders?  The enemy almost always goes calvary and LI.  (and Yes I know how to mirco my soldiers around my cannons, but in addition which would be a better card. 

Wilson_teh_Great:

Highlanders. While Manchus are overall more effective vs cavalry, Highlanders pack a huge punch vs everything, and perform better vs their counters then Manchus do. Highlanders also have better siege, so overall they're the better choice.

Yeah, i agree with Teh_Great. russian muskt aren't very effective, but russia has a FREAKIN' royal guard unit that is nearly as good as manchu.

 Highlanders blow everything away with their candy-coated skirts.