Newbie needs tips~

[SlackerXS]

I'm playing SP campaign using Oda clan.... most of my troops consist of Yari Ashi... http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

anywayz, now I've got guns... I don't know how to use them... I only know how to use archers... the long reload time of arque kinda confused me about how to use them in battle...

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SlackER ~ Extreme

[Steppe_ Pony]

Guns are a good complement to any army because of there inexpense and short range lethality.

To be effective get as close to the enemy with them as you can.

But be warned when there reloading they can be overwhelmed pretty easily.

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"Which one of you cute little cup cakes want's to come home with me, make me a nice dinner and give me a blowjob!"
-George Carlin

[Steppe_ Pony]

Oh one more thing gunners don't run out of ammo like Archers do http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

[BSM_Skkzarg]

Teppo Ashigaru will run out of ammo - but not as quickly as archers. Place them in a line 3 or 4 ranks deep for best rate of fire.

Back them with a groundpounding unit to keep their morale solid. Use in mass and boom - no problems.

Qapla!

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BSM_Skkzarg
"A mind is a terrible thing to taste."

[Steppe_ Pony]

Just don't use them in the rain.

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"Which one of you cute little cup cakes want's to come home with me, make me a nice dinner and give me a blowjob!"
-George Carlin

[BanzaiZAP]

With guns, there are two good formations:

Three or more rows deep, and they'll do a rotating fire - the first rank will fire, then fall back to reload. The second rank steps forward, fires, then steps back to reload, etc. This gives you a faster rate of fire, but fewer bullets per volley.

Two or one rank, means that the whole unit will fire at once. Very long reload time, but much nastier punch per volley. This is where you have an attacking monk unit turn and flee! Also, the guns will tire more slowly, so have a better chance of hitting per volley in a long, drawn out battle.

I usually have two or three muskets per army. Two set on rotating fire, and holding the center (flanked and backed by yari and maybe a no-dachi for support) and one unit off to the side doing single fire, just to catch enemies in a cross-fire. I also always include a few archer squads, just in case I'm caught in the rain!

Finally, never ever ever let them engage hand-to-hand (unless you're Vanya, doing the dreaded Musket-Wedgie... brrrr!). Gunners have the WORST melee combat capability, even if you give them weapon and armor upgrades. Just don't bother. Higher honor is very good, but otherwise, they don't really need the bonuses.

-- B)

[This message has been edited by BanzaiZAP (edited 11-04-2001).]

[Dark Phoenix]

Actually I use guns occasionally in hth but only in certain situations. If it is raining and it is getting pretty close I normally try and flank with them if I have no other units available, it can turn the battle in your favour especially if the unit breaks.

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"DP is correct" - Shiro

[Irving]

does anyone ever have the problem of them firing . out of sync with each other?

it is a recurring problem with me... 10 or 15 will fire .. then 10 more.... why can't they all fire in one ear-shattering, gut-wrenching salvo?> i'm sure this would be more devastating and morale destroying....

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Chaos is born from order.
Cowardice is born from bravery.
Weakness is born from strength.
-Sun Tzu

[A Nerd]

My gunners always get killed before they get off two vollys...I'd rather use archers and shock troops...enemy gunners seem just as worthless...now mind all the MP'ers...for me...in SP...gunners are quite...how you say...poopie?

[SlackerXS]

Thanks for advices, everyone http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

I hardly use them in close range combat b/c I'm afraid they'll rout easily just like Ashi, since in close range combat, with a little height advantage, I can give a good slaughter of enemies w/ just Yari Sam... but I guess moral penalty will come in really handy when it comes to incoming Monks...

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SlackER ~ Extreme

[BakaGaijin]

Monks will turn and run in fear from those lowly Ashigaru! It only takes a few directed volleys to send the monks running (not to mention tear them to shreds!).

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Disappear into the Darkness!!

[Krasturak]

Gah!

Krast uses guns in three ranks, and, when attacking, brings the guns up as close as possible behind the melee battle.

Then the guns fire into the fight, getting the close-range morale effect on the enemy.

They kill some of your guys too, but, especially in SP, the kills you get when the enemy routs is well worth the losses.

Gah!

[Anssi Hakkinen]

Indeed. One thing I would have wanted someone to tell me back in the old days is that the guns in STW don't work as they do in the movies. You cannot deploy them in a thin line before the rest of your troops, blast away, and expect to fell enemy troops by the score. It just doesn't work - the enemy will weather the casualties, charge your guns, and decimate them in close combat. Instead, as Krast-san suggested, tie the enemy up in melee with other units and shoot into the fight. It's a bit screwy, but it's the only thing that works.

Execpt for a few battles where I've turned aside entire Mongol attack armies with two 120 man units of crossbowmen. But maybe that was the difficulty level. http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif

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