Phoenix Guards or Silverin for front line?

[Goin’_Commando]

I know Phoenix are regarded as superior but for front line units they lack a shield. So when an enemy’s ranged units start shooting at them early on the Phoenix units have nothing to stop them (x armor of course). Not to mention Phoenix are significantly more expensive in both purchase and upkeep.

So, any advice on which to choose (or maybe neither!) would be much appreciated!

[valky]

Silverin are more threatening to fight against...Phoenix guards just die to missiles....

IMO silv guards do the job perfectly well....and are still an endgame threat.

edit: heck, it's an AoS unit....lol

[Dani :3]

1x Silverin placed in front of the main line, the rest Phoenix. The AI is dumb and will target the Silverin with their archers as soon as they come into range, ensuring that their archers stop advancing, thus keeping your Phoenix Guard out of range until melee is joined, which makes shooting at them harder.

Alternatively you can use a single entity in front to dodge, or use SoA spam in a chequerboard formation, but both of those are pretty cheesy.

[pascal.difolco]

Didn't find much use in any of them
Some 3-4 basic Spearmen early game to shield archers, then Lothern Sea Guards are okay, up to when you do some Sisters, Phoenixes or Dragons doomstack.

[Goin’_Commando]

Thanks for taking the time!

I know, there’s so many gamey ways to fool the ai. I try to avoid them and just take the consequences.

[zefyris]

silverin guards are a better result for your bucks imo. Especially if you play as Eltharion, but even without that. That beign said, having one or 2 Phoenix guards somewhere in there to deal with particularly nasty large opponents doesn't hurt either.

[valky]

AI likes to target unshielded elite-units ...
But as someone said above...I won the HE campaign perfectly fine with basic spearmen as my main line-holder :> (and given CTT unit caps mod)

Silv guards have magic res IIRC and that is godlike - one of the features I enjoyed in my dawi campaign + runelord. magic res rocks

[kekkuli]

I personally prefer phoenix guards, AI archers are way too easy to disrupt using flying units so the lack of shield isn't that big of a problem imo. Of course if you want to play "optimally" you go for the doomstacks which don't have any melee infantry.

[Xaphnir]

I'd say it depends more on whether you're going to find the physical or magic resistance more valuable. Both have a similar melee defense value, both have expert charge defense. They can both hold the line very well. Phoenix Guard will put out quite a bit more damage, if you're looking for damage from them, but for the type of unit they are you're not really looking for damage from them.

Generally, I'd say Phoenix Guard are going to be a better option because most armies are mostly physical damage.

[franz]

silverin guards are beast on Eltharion .

[ℬℓα⊂₭ ℙℜ¡ℵ₠]

Originally posted by Goin’_Commando:

I know Phoenix are regarded as superior but for front line units they lack a shield. So when an enemy’s ranged units start shooting at them early on the Phoenix units have nothing to stop them (x armor of course). Not to mention Phoenix are significantly more expensive in both purchase and upkeep.

So, any advice on which to choose (or maybe neither!) would be much appreciated!

Silverin Guard always feel OP as ♥♥♥♥

[Mr Robert House]

Silver in are better, HE missile units are very good at dealing damage, so you don’t need pheonix guard.

Or use lothern sea guard, or just spam SOA.

[Bomjus]

IIRC silverin guard are cheaper than phoenix guard too right? and a lower tier?

i'd rock silverin guard everytime.

[JODEGAFUN]

Sisters of Averlorn beats both as frontline, they shot back on missiles units (and have more range than most missiles units), have meele stats which are high enough to hold even aiganst elite units. And shields help not aiganst artillery so if they are outrange you must react yourself anyway.

[stehorz]

In general keep your army upkeep low as possible. Silver in guard are cheaper, it familiar with the exact stats but I reckon they have better melee defence. Depe dsin the rest of your army and what you are up against. Ie I will make a small army before a settlement is beseigedjust to finish of the enemy once they retreatthrndisband the army for a profit on battle income. Same applies to where you are holding land vs invasion, will probs make rangers. Phoenix guard are better in a doom stack designed to just roam about annhialiting

[stehorz]

Bad grammar above.
It depends on the exact stats and what you are facing, plus the actual role of the army. Battles are a great source of income if you make cheap armies and disband them. If money is no issue then go phoenix guard. Some consideration to the rest of your armies synergy. A full stack of phonix guard is inferior to silverin and stronged range behind, but probably costs more.

Against a large melee and magic faction like vampire counts, phoneix guard are probably better. They will take down dragons easier.