Serpentines....

[LittleRaven]

Have I been spectacularly unlucky, or do serpentines just suck?

I remember reading this thread (http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/Forum7/HTML/001486.html) about anti-personnel artillery, and how most artillery was supposed to be relatively poor at it, except for the serpentine. "Dangerous by design" was the quote used. Needless to say, I much anticipated fielding these hard-to-build pieces....

Now that I have, though, I'm MOST unimpressed. They don't hit anything! They're supposed to be very accurate, but from what I've seen, they're actually much LESS accurate than any other gun! You can't hit the broad side of a barn with these things, let alone a formation of men. They do fire quickly, but it doesn't matter because you never hit anything. And they're quite useless against walls...

Has anyone else played around with these things? Am I just doing something wrong? Has anyone used them successfully?

[This message has been edited by LittleRaven (edited 10-07-2002).]

[Nobunaga0611]

I love serps personally (except when my opponent has them). The thing you need to do is target the front unit, whatever it may be. Also, target the unit in the middle of the front line. The Serp isn't always very accurate, but it can turn in any direction, and by aiming in the middle of a formation, even if there is variance to the right or left, or even backwards, you'll still usually hit someone. Also, projectiles usually skip twice of so, and they can hit people then, making it more effective to target the front line. If at all possible, target a unit that your opponent isn't moving too much, the serp will gain effectiveness over time if they stay stationary. I can usually get at least 50 kills a battle with them. Not to mention the number of times I've killed generals within the first three volleys...people don't usually like that (including me). http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Niccolomachiavelli]

any comments on the mortar? I havent had a chance to try it out yet, but i would assume it would be the best at taking out larger number of men, rather than the typical 2-3 from a cannon ball in the chest.

[pdoan8]

Mortar can kill a lot more in one hit, but it can't turn. If the targets move out of it line of fire, mortar becomes useless. My record of mortar kill is 46 Feudal Sergeant in the first 3 (lucky) shots. Mortar is fairly good in siege.

All cannons are not very usefull in defense against AI since cannons are not good at hitting moving targets. However, on offense, I usually bring 4 serp and 2 culv/demi-culv. I target in the same way as Nobunaga said since it is the most effective way (in all I've try). Serp usually becomes more accurate after around 3 shots. If it still far off the target after 5-7 shots, I will adjust by giving it another target then retarget the one I want.

[Tora]

I tend to agree with LittleRaven.

I've only used a serpentine three times now, with the kill total of zero.
One battle was a bridge defence against about a thousand French, where you'd have thought it was easier to hit someone rather than miss. All the ammo was used up but no cigar.
Presumably as Nobunaga says, they take a while to range on a target.

Is it a peculiarly English weapon? Haven't come across it playing as other factions.

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"The last time I saw your father, he'd just charged Constantinople when they shut the gates on him.....
Ten thousand of the Turks were there armed with scimitars, and your father with a small knife for peeling fruit."

Blackadder 1.

[TheViking]

I only use serpentines for offense and castle assault. It doesnt take long time to tear a wall apart.

When I use them on offense I use 12 or more but then im always sure to have backups if I need to withdraw them. After the amu is out (often b4) the enemy use to withdraw all his units and I win without a single man dead.

If u havnt tried using more then 5-8 at the time then my advice is try it http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif.

And if u have a high star general with them to give them extra valour then they kill alot.

And only using them 3 times aint enuff. And dont only use 1 at the time they tend to suck then http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

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There I see my father.
There I see my mother, my sisters and brothers.
There I see my line of ancestors back to the beginning.
They call on me and ask me to take my place with them in the halls of Valhalla where the brave may live forever.

[solypsist]

you need about three serpentines on the battlefield to really have good effect.
When seiging castles, use mortars or larger guns. I prefer to autoresolve castle-assaults since so far it has always given me less losses than when I handle it personally.

[Tora]

Quote I prefer to autoresolve castle-assaults since so far it has always given me less losses than when I handle it personally.[/QUOTE]

Same here.

And I thought it was just me being crap.

Then again.......

------------------

"The last time I saw your father, he'd just charged Constantinople when they shut the gates on him.....
Ten thousand of the Turks were there armed with scimitars, and your father with a small knife for peeling fruit."

Blackadder 1.