Kraxis
12-02-2002, 16:29
Javelins, we either hate them or love them. I love them.
Everybody are entitled to have their own oppinions on them, but I'll try to let the people who have had bad experiences with them get a second chance to evaluate them. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
There are four javelins in the game, Kerns, Murabitin, Jinettes and the ever scarce Almugharvars. The first two are basically the same, a carrier for javelins while the other two can do a lot of other stuff as well.
How to use the javelins:
I will only discuss how to use their ranged capabilities.
First lesson: Turn off the Skirmish or else the Javelins will retreat too soon.
It all depends on the situation, on defence:
There are two major tactics that are easy to learn, the direct support and the more effective and harder flanking attack.
The direct support involves you putting the javelins a step or two behind your main line of infantry, prefrably spears as their combat is very slow. When engaged with the enemy move up to the javelins, carefully and that is important so as to not be in a situation where only half the unit is in range. Be sure to move the unit up the rear rank of the front line and then let loose a hail of javelins. This can be devastating for the enemy unit, but remember that often a javelin or two will land in your own unit, so don't use this tactic to lower the enemy Morale, this is simply for a quick reduction of enemy numbers and it works wonders. There is almost nothing the enemy can do to stop this tactic. But remember to move the javelins up carefully...
This tactic is great using the Kerns and Murabitin because they are protected from the enemy troops.
The flank attack is a little more tricky and far more risky. Have the javelins positioned on the flank, perhaps even far out, what is important is to make them appear unimportant and thus not worth bothering with.
When the enemy has closed with you and possibly engaged all his troops, but this is not too important, just make sure that the free enemy units are focussed at other objectives, never move the javelins inbetween enemy units
When you are moving in the javelins find the heaviest/most expensive enemy units and move up behind it carefully and let loose the flying phalanx.
Why not charge in? Javelins are not the strongest units in combat, not even a charge in to the rear of a heavy unit will do much damage, the javelins will do much more damage over time while doing as much damage to Morale. Further the javelins themselves makes sure you don't lose any men yourself. When out of javelins charge the weakest enemy unit in their line, you might just deal them the Moraleblow they need to to rout, don't charge the best enemies, they can most likely hold up to your weak javelins in the rear.
Should the enemy pull units out to deal with javelins, be happy and turn on the Skirmish, for now you are in the great situation of having either pulled out an enemy unit that can't catch you or a unit that is wastly more expensive or that can be defeated in combat. All in all you win almost no matter what.
If the enemy has plenty of reserves not yet comitted contend yourself with pelting the enemy flanks and don't draw in the enemy reserves.
Jinettes and Almugharvars are great for this tactic due to either speed or melee capabilities.
On attack:
It is harder, but basically you can use the same two tactics. Though you have to be more careful of the enemy contingent of archers.
If the enemy if positioned on a steep slope don't go for the Direct Support, it simply won't give enough help due to range, it might even hurt you as much as the enemy because of FF.
Move out the javelins, but not as far as on defence because the the enemy has control of the terrain and you might need the javelins very fast, also don'y move them too far out front because of enemy archers or quick enemy cav. Try to lure out the enemy heavies with other units, perhaps archers, and then hold them with spears while the javelins do their work.
It is important to always know what the enemy army is composed of, high ratios of archers and light cav can be deadly for your javelins, so in those cases the Direct Support is best, but if you get the chance to pelt a JHI or a king, it might be worth to sacrifice the javelins. Just be wary that they don't rout through you own units.
It is always important to consider the javelins expendable, they are rather cheap and can quickly be replaced, also if they get Valours that is good, but hardly as important as more direct melee troops, so experienced javelins are not so important to protect.
Give them the time they need to be effective and you have success on your hands. Neglect them and they will be a liability. Make sure they don't attract enemy attention, for they are not fighters and need to be free to do damage, never try to throw the javelins on enemies that advance on them unless you have a major height advantage, instead retreat them to your lines or away if you can't protect them. The game of movement is not their game, it is the game of mounted archers.
Javelins are perhaps the units with the greatest potential for destruction over time compared to their cost. They are even better than Naphtas due to their greater numbers and more ammo.
In MP javelins can be very hard to use, as most players will notice a unit roaming around their rear, but sometimes a player will not notice them. It is still much easier to use the Direct Support, but here it is much more important to it fast or else his greater numbers will defeat you. I can't help but think with a great smile on my face about my 4 Murabitin that really devastated my English enemies in an Early battle, as they killed the enemy Order Foot more or less.
Everybody are entitled to have their own oppinions on them, but I'll try to let the people who have had bad experiences with them get a second chance to evaluate them. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
There are four javelins in the game, Kerns, Murabitin, Jinettes and the ever scarce Almugharvars. The first two are basically the same, a carrier for javelins while the other two can do a lot of other stuff as well.
How to use the javelins:
I will only discuss how to use their ranged capabilities.
First lesson: Turn off the Skirmish or else the Javelins will retreat too soon.
It all depends on the situation, on defence:
There are two major tactics that are easy to learn, the direct support and the more effective and harder flanking attack.
The direct support involves you putting the javelins a step or two behind your main line of infantry, prefrably spears as their combat is very slow. When engaged with the enemy move up to the javelins, carefully and that is important so as to not be in a situation where only half the unit is in range. Be sure to move the unit up the rear rank of the front line and then let loose a hail of javelins. This can be devastating for the enemy unit, but remember that often a javelin or two will land in your own unit, so don't use this tactic to lower the enemy Morale, this is simply for a quick reduction of enemy numbers and it works wonders. There is almost nothing the enemy can do to stop this tactic. But remember to move the javelins up carefully...
This tactic is great using the Kerns and Murabitin because they are protected from the enemy troops.
The flank attack is a little more tricky and far more risky. Have the javelins positioned on the flank, perhaps even far out, what is important is to make them appear unimportant and thus not worth bothering with.
When the enemy has closed with you and possibly engaged all his troops, but this is not too important, just make sure that the free enemy units are focussed at other objectives, never move the javelins inbetween enemy units
When you are moving in the javelins find the heaviest/most expensive enemy units and move up behind it carefully and let loose the flying phalanx.
Why not charge in? Javelins are not the strongest units in combat, not even a charge in to the rear of a heavy unit will do much damage, the javelins will do much more damage over time while doing as much damage to Morale. Further the javelins themselves makes sure you don't lose any men yourself. When out of javelins charge the weakest enemy unit in their line, you might just deal them the Moraleblow they need to to rout, don't charge the best enemies, they can most likely hold up to your weak javelins in the rear.
Should the enemy pull units out to deal with javelins, be happy and turn on the Skirmish, for now you are in the great situation of having either pulled out an enemy unit that can't catch you or a unit that is wastly more expensive or that can be defeated in combat. All in all you win almost no matter what.
If the enemy has plenty of reserves not yet comitted contend yourself with pelting the enemy flanks and don't draw in the enemy reserves.
Jinettes and Almugharvars are great for this tactic due to either speed or melee capabilities.
On attack:
It is harder, but basically you can use the same two tactics. Though you have to be more careful of the enemy contingent of archers.
If the enemy if positioned on a steep slope don't go for the Direct Support, it simply won't give enough help due to range, it might even hurt you as much as the enemy because of FF.
Move out the javelins, but not as far as on defence because the the enemy has control of the terrain and you might need the javelins very fast, also don'y move them too far out front because of enemy archers or quick enemy cav. Try to lure out the enemy heavies with other units, perhaps archers, and then hold them with spears while the javelins do their work.
It is important to always know what the enemy army is composed of, high ratios of archers and light cav can be deadly for your javelins, so in those cases the Direct Support is best, but if you get the chance to pelt a JHI or a king, it might be worth to sacrifice the javelins. Just be wary that they don't rout through you own units.
It is always important to consider the javelins expendable, they are rather cheap and can quickly be replaced, also if they get Valours that is good, but hardly as important as more direct melee troops, so experienced javelins are not so important to protect.
Give them the time they need to be effective and you have success on your hands. Neglect them and they will be a liability. Make sure they don't attract enemy attention, for they are not fighters and need to be free to do damage, never try to throw the javelins on enemies that advance on them unless you have a major height advantage, instead retreat them to your lines or away if you can't protect them. The game of movement is not their game, it is the game of mounted archers.
Javelins are perhaps the units with the greatest potential for destruction over time compared to their cost. They are even better than Naphtas due to their greater numbers and more ammo.
In MP javelins can be very hard to use, as most players will notice a unit roaming around their rear, but sometimes a player will not notice them. It is still much easier to use the Direct Support, but here it is much more important to it fast or else his greater numbers will defeat you. I can't help but think with a great smile on my face about my 4 Murabitin that really devastated my English enemies in an Early battle, as they killed the enemy Order Foot more or less.