Hard counter you said it. we are finding new counter formula, actual is spam a mix of units without order or role.
Tell me how works, basically Pikemen only works to kill melee Cavs, Mêlée, then cavs don't work for nothing if they are spam, skirmishes(cav) can deal with all except defenses.
Archers doing good work and slingers too. but melee infantry aren't good almost a trash unit except by swordsmen. range cavalry dominates the battlefield, and the spam can capture easily mostly of defenses. check more YT videos topic.
No alternative tactics in early-mid