It seems that the thread evolved somehow towards a comparison between rhb corsairs and MXB.
I'd like to analyse it thoroughly and try and kill some false ideas.
Let's sum up Desert Icon's
basic arguments, with which I concur wholefully:
Shooting: Shielded Crossbowmen > RHB Corsairs
Fighting: Shielded Crossbowmen > RHB Corsairs
Maneuver: they are =
Receiving fire: RHB Corsairs > Shielded Crossbowmen
In the following posts, some developments have been written, mentioning a complex use combining 2 or 3 of these basic qualities. I agree with all these statements.
To sum up, when dealing with shooting, fighting but not receiving fire, crossbowmen with shields are always superior to rhb corsairs.
But some combinations are missing, so the conclusions are only partial.
The most obvious missing mention is that for moving and receiving fire, the rhb corsairs are superior.
Rabidnid mentioned the
magic banner and the very specific 1 trick pony
anti-giant stand & shoot reaction for which rhb corsairs are better.
Let's list and analyse all of the possible complex combinations of the 4 basic qualities. We'll see later on what can be concluded:
Static, no missile threat
Shoot & fight: Shielded Crossbowmen >> RHB Corsairs
No missile & combat threat
Move & shoot: Shielded Crossbowmen > RHB Corsairs
Static, no combat threat
Shoot & receive fire: Shielded Crossbowmen > RHB Corsairs because MXB with shields die more & kill something, RHB Corsairs die less & kill only once, as stand & shoot reaction.
No missile threat, not shooting (???)
Move & fight: Shielded Crossbowmen > RHB Corsairs.
Static, not shooting
Receive fire & fight: RHB Corsairs > Shielded Crossbowmen because corsairs can stand & shoot and both are rather ineffective in combat - corsairs are less a threat so they are even more resilient.
No combat threat, not shooting
Move & receive fire: RHB Corsairs > Shielded Crossbowmen
No missile threat
Move & shoot & fight:(Cost vs Effectiveness verdict): Shielded Crossbowmen >> RHB Corsairs
Static
Shoot & receive fire & fight: Shielded Crossbowmen > RHB Corsairs
No combat threat
Move & shoot & receive fire: they are =, because MXB with shields kill more than RHB Corsairs, but die all the more that they are perceived as a threat.
Not shooting
Move & receive fire & fight: RHB Corsairs > Shielded Crossbowmen because corsairs can stand & shoot and both are rather ineffective in combat
Move & shoot & receive fire & fight: Shielded Crossbowmen > RHB Corsairs
Yes, I know, some of the combos are useless!
I mention with a (?) the use which is very unlikely.
After the analysis, the synthesis!
Let's sort out for which complex uses MXB or corsairs are best fit:
Shielded Crossbowmen > RHB Corsairs for:
Move & shoot & receive fire & fight: the best
generalist.
Static Shoot & receive fire: the best
gunline.
Shoot & fight under low missile threat, either static or moving: the best support
against low-shooting armies.
Move & shoot & receive fire, not fighting:
more agressive at distance but die.
RHB Corsairs > Shielded Crossbowmen for:
Receiving fire, static or moving: the best
screen.
Receive fire & fight, static and shooting only once (stand & shoot): the best
babysitter for a sorceress.
Move & receive fire & fight, shooting only once (stand & shoot): the best
taunting unit. Also a good shelter for
assassin delivery.
Move & shoot & receive fire, not fighting: kill less but
more resilient.
My conclusion:
RHB corsairs are a small and resistant unit specialized in screening
which can be used also for sheltering soft characters (assassins, sorceresses).
As mentioned Dyvim Tvar, they can move agressively to act as bait, combat support, and charge-redirectors. Regular crossbowmen lose much of their effectiveness when used in this kind of role. Corsairs are made for it.
If you want a shooting or general-use troop, take Shielded Crossbowmen.