Portuguese seem like a fun civ, and I’ve been wanting to play them more. The main issue I’m finding is that they struggle with fighting against Cavalry. They have Halberdier, but without Squires they are easily outmaneuvered, and Bombard Cannons + Hand Cannoneers + Organ Guns are extremely vulnerable if Light Cav reach them. Even Bombard Towers struggle to target moving Cavalry. In Castle Age, a few Knights can wreck your economy when your Pikes are so slow. Obviously they don’t have access to camels, and Port Cav cannot go head-to-head with any of the better Cavalry civs. Ports seem to be similar to Italians, but without the option of Genoese Crossbows.
Maybe their win rate is low because heavy cav civs are so popular. Any ideas or strats I haven’t considered? Or is this intended to be a losing matchup? Thanks.
Edit: To specify the stats. Portuguese have the lowest win rate currently, and they do worst against: Turks, Franks, Mongols, Berbers, and Magyars. There might not be an easy answer, hoping for some advice though. Interestingly, they do well against Cumans, which have the fastest Paladins, Hussars and Kipchaks, not sure what to make of that one.