Damned archers

[luke]

What's the deal with Archers when ordered to attack or even move? They have to arse around by walking forwards then stop for about 30 seconds, drop back, form a line (another 30 seconds), then realise the enemies got a little close in that time and drop back, and doing this whole procedure again. Then running into the enemy and getting slaughtered or fleeing the field. I've just played the Agincourt battle, and my archers were right muppets I could boil a kettle faster than they can string a bow http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pissed.gif These guys where pivitol in the battle of Agincourt. Poor sods would turn in their graves if they saw how they assembled in my last battle.

How do I work these units effectively?

[Naagi]

Well they were first getting set up to fire, which requires a facing change. Then they were probably in skirmish mode which made then back away when the enemy got to close. Other then that I couldnt tell ya.

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

[The Great Dane]

Don´t want to comment on your strategy but it seems, that you´re expecting something of the archer units that they´re not capable of.

It makes perfectly sense that the AI helps you to let them retreat - they´re NOT front line soldiers but your artillery...
So archers should only engage in close combat when you´re winning or when you simply desperately need an attacking force.

So the first thing you should do, is to understand the usage of the different units.

[luke]

Thanks for the feedback You've probably guessed I'm a newbie now

I noticed that the AI craftily shifted most of it's units to my left, so in response, I wanted my archers to cut away at the bulk of any AI flanks, but half way through my re-positioning, the AI changed it's mind and cut behind my archers so I had to quickly re-position them again. That's when they messed around, by that time, they were getting laid into.

Would the best way to use archers be to put them in the front line (no, hear me out http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif), in skirmish mode, let them have a few pops, the let the AI retreat them behind appropriate units? Then they have time to re-position and re-aim, I guess, whilst the other units keep them at bay.

How do you guys remember what units best against other units, there's so bloody many of them

[Exile]

people use that strategy for their archers. I put mine on 'hold formation' and line them up behind my infantry/spears. you can double click when selcting a location to make the units move faster and left click+alt (it think) has them move and their current facing. Right clck+alt changes the unit facing in their current position. you have to anticiapte the AI moves a bit, if they get ahead of you (as good AI commanders will do) then you're in for trouble.

[The Great Dane]

Luke
Reading IS undertanding. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Go for it

[Naagi]

No problem with being a newbie, we all were at one point in time. Now as for putting archers in the front row on skirmish, a lot of people do this with a nice spear or shock unit behind them. I tend to keep my archers behind my lines and pepper them as they come in. Just have to watch the AI trying to circle you, I tend to keep a weaker unit on my flanks just to hold up and units coming in that way till i can reinforce. Havent played that battle so cant help with any strategy, cept the normal ones. Set up on a hill and catch any cavalry in the woods if possible.

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

[luke]

Thanks guys, you've been a great help

As The Great Dane said, best get studying the advantages and disadvantages of each units strengths and weaknesses.

Is there a shortcut way (i.e. website with a direct They are good against them) type thing that will help me on my way or just plain ol' fashioned history, how realistic is this game?

Very basic, but so far I've worked out that cavelry are good for chasing flee'ers and peasants are rubbish and would rather be at home doing peasanty things.

Got a feeling this is going to be a long journey But I'm sticking to it

[Cheetah]

Hi luke,

visit Table of contents (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=2273) here you can find several threads about various unit types. Basicaly:

sword beats spear
spear beats cavalry
cavalry beats archers
heavy cavalry can beat swords
archers in theory should be good vs infantry

However archers are only good vs less armoured unit types, against heavily armoured units you should get arbalasters or at least x-bowmen.

There are however a few exceptions and special cases, the best to do is to read a bit about them, or experiment with custom battles.

[Quid]

tactics...for big armies

Well, what i do...and I haven't lost a war in a ong time...is, i place a load of archers at the front of all (about 5 or 6 units) and let them shoot their load (in a totally non-obscene way) and then pull them out of the game. I usually cover them with spears or pike menin the second row. Then in the third (and some in the second) I have the sword men or vikings or scotsmen to counter spear attacks. the last row and the flanks consist of cavalery that can burst through the ranks if necessary to counter enemy archers or kill all the runners. That easy...lol.

Hope that has been of some help

Quidster

[Gregoshi]

Welcome luke. Thanks for the visit and please do come back often.

Here's some advise:

1) Listen to the Cheetah - he knows. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
2) Visit Total War Assembly (http://www.totalwarassembly.com/) and go to the War Academy. Stats, stats and more stats

[Hold Steady]

Quote[/b] (luke @ Jan. 07 2003,16:20)]How do you guys remember what units best against other units, there's so bloody many of them
Well, I have these little notes lying around me, stuck to the wall, the table and the cat and a few layers of ink on my body. Right now I look like a tattood Celt. I tend to play naked, it gives me a strategic advantage.