Archers

[gabrielvilleda]

I have been reading the other forums (where us n00bs can't post http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ) and I have see some posts referring to archers. Some say they are weak and somesay they have even modified their stats. Are archers really weak or were they really like this in real life. Note: I am using MTW pre-patch so if someone could also explain the differences between the patches in terms to archers I would be eternally indebted to you.

Once again great game and forums

[Naagi]

Well I'll try to help some. As it stands right now, archers cant hit the broad side of a barn. The patch didnt help archers, but cavalry got a nice boost. Some people are able to adjust the hit ratio of their archers or even the ammo amount, but you'd have to look in the dungeon for modding advice on this. I think archers were more effective back then but not a whole lot, except maybe the longbowmen. Go for the crossbowmen and arqubelustors(sp). Slower rate of fire, but more hits without modding I believe.

Naagi http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[LadyAnn]

When people say archers are weak, it is usually not on the context of single player game, where you take a faction and play against computer.

In multi-player games, archers are weak compared to other units. That's in totally different context.

I would say in SP mode, you play the game as it is, without mod first, or else you will get so used to a shooting game, making the tactical maneuvre of foot and cavalry units less important and kill the original intent of the game.

Keep in mind that you should try to build crossbow and arbalesters as soon as possible (era and faction permitted) because these are more powerful range weapons.

As of reflecting reality, I think the developpers want to make parallel with the true events. We should keep in mind there are always an arm race. The arbalester and crossbow developments were a response to armour gets heavier in the high-medieval time (the armour are getting heavier due to advance in metalurgy and mining technologies), rendering bows less effective. The desire to carry heavier soldiers also lead to breeding of taller and stronger (but slower) horses. However, some authors assert that the ability to breed stronger horses was made possible by the use of horse as beast of burden in Western Europe. The same for castles and forts: elaborate castle defense was racing against advance in seige weaponery.

Annie