Best Formation for Archers?

[Longasc]

Hello

I am curious which formation you use with your Archers or think to be the most effective.

I usually let them fire in a long line, close formation.

But if I use loose formation and spread them out, they would probably get hit less.

But does their effectiviness decrease in this formation or does it not matter at all?

[Ryttare]

I use them in a 2 line close, offcourse the wider they are the harder it is to hit them, but also too control them.

[Divine Wind]

I usually have them in 2 or 3 ranks in attack and defense. If the enemy attack so close that only the front row can shoot then there are still plenty of archers firing from 2 or 3 rank formations. If my troops are engaged in melee with the enemy sometimes i use the wedge formation (espicially with high valour archer units) as the arrows come down much more densly and cause more casulties imo.

[The_Emperor]

Any more than 2 ranks deep and the guys behind the front 2 rows cannot see to shoot and have an accuracy penalty.

So 2 rows deep is the best I think, As the guy above says archers in a single wide formation are a bit harder to control (because the unit leader may not be able to see the enemy closing on the flanks).

Gunners Are best 3 deep, that gives them the revolving formation, (of course you may just want to have them 1 or 2 ranks deep and let them all unload together at a slower rate)

[MonkeyMan]

Hi Longasc welcome to the ORG http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

Personally I keep it simple with my archers, just 2 ranks, hold and keep formation in defence, skirmish in attack. I almost never use guns so I won't advise on them.

[The_Emperor]

Quote[/b] (MonkeyMan @ May 08 2003,05:02)]Personally I keep it simple with my archers, just 2 ranks, hold and keep formation in defence, skirmish in attack. I almost never use guns so I won't advise on them.
Well I prefer to use guns in garrissons only (when they can sit on the hill and just fire away as the enemy trudges up)...

Attacking armies are better off without them I feel, but I rarely use guns myself for some reason the main campaign is always nearly over for me before gunpowder units are buildable

But they do have their uses so I wouldn't dismiss them totally.

[ShadesWolf]

Unless Im playing as england, When I have loads of Longbows, usually a play with either a double line or maybe a triple depending on how many archers I have.

I also quite often use the Wedge formation to add that extra bunch, when I have a lot of archer in an army.

[rory_20_uk]

I usually use the 2 or 3 line formations, but after the mention of wedge formations, I might give that a go and see how it works.
I take it that in the wedge there are fewer problems with accuracy penalties?

[RisingSun]

I think more, seeing as only 3 guys dont get penalized for not seeing the target.

[theadept]

at least 3 lines of infantryatfront 2 of archers behind + cavelry behind that
tight inf wide arch triangle cav
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