How to deploy Archers?

[The_678]

This is going to be my first time playing as the English and I am going to play in High so I can use the Longbowmen. I never use archers so I don't know what's the best way to deploy them. Should I deploy them in front of or behind the defending infantry.
a. A A A A
I I I I

b. I I I I
A A A A

In a I would move my archers back when the enemy gets close, but they start firing earlier.
In b I would have both groups on hold and the archers wouldn't have to worry about fleeing back behind the Infantry and can just keep firing.
So I am talking about defending as English with the Longbows. Which is better, or is there better ways?
Thanks.

[John86]

I have a good way to deply for a 10n1 or 20n2 with a load of archers.


A A A
A I I A
A C C A
GEN

This stops the enenym from using Horse archers to hit your men and protects them from pavs and archers all around, this also works good for Mongols.

[John86]

Just to tell you, NEVER use selection B. unless your going to rush. Bows will destroy your inf. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Robin Locksly]

You should never put your archers infront of your main line, pavs will shred them to pieces, thats assuming the enemy army has pavs.

What I do is I put my pavs in-front of my main line and my archers either on the left or right flank or both so that they can engage the enemy while my pavs are keeping the enemys pavs busy.

[Robin Locksly]

Like this...


PPPP
AAIIIIAA

P = Pavis arbs
A = Archers
I = Infantry

But ideally you should have cavelry units protecting your archers and also to get round the enemy so it should look like this...

PPPP
AAIIIIAA
CC CC


C = Cavelry

[Robin Locksly]

Quote[/b] (WarlordMasterHiji @ Feb. 16 2004,14:13)]I have a good way to deply for a 10n1 or 20n2 with a load of archers.


A A A
A I I A
A C C A
GEN

This stops the enenym from using Horse archers to hit your men and protects them from pavs and archers all around, this also works good for Mongols.
I'll try that formation tonight... Looks quite effective http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[The_678]

Not to be rude, but I am not using pavs but Longbows. These suggestions seem nice but I am asking about formations for my Longbows not pav's.
Thanks

[bighairyman]

just line ur archers right in front of ur infantry, when the enemy advances, then just just attack with ur infantry, u don't even have to move ur archers. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[Robin Locksly]

Archers get slaughterd by pavs and beaten by corssbows lol.

[Cebei]

Never tried this.. what happens when two pavise arbalests engagae with each other?

[Glory]

AA AA
cc IIII cc

[nick_maxell]

Quote[/b] (The_678 @ Feb. 16 2004,14:03)]This is going to be my first time playing as the English and I am going to play in High so I can use the Longbowmen. I never use archers so I don't know what's the best way to deploy them. Should I deploy them in front of or behind the defending infantry.
a. A A A A
I I I I

b. I I I I
A A A A

In a I would move my archers back when the enemy gets close, but they start firing earlier.
In b I would have both groups on hold and the archers wouldn't have to worry about fleeing back behind the Infantry and can just keep firing.
So I am talking about defending as English with the Longbows. Which is better, or is there better ways?
Thanks.
on defence its easy if you have high ground and cheap inf handy - I line up spears or some other cheap ones close to the front of the archers in a thin line and have better melee troops on the flanks to counterattack - the height gives you range bonus and if the enemy has pav he only slaughters your cannonfodder inf - don t get into a duel w/ the pavese - pick high value armor units as they come into range - never fire at will - they are empty after a short time but are only slightly less effective against armor targets than crossbow units - a nasty surprise can be to charge them into flanks after they are empty they are not bad melee fighters ;)

On even ground it is a bit more tricky - at def you might have to sacrifice a cheap unit to get the enemies attention away from your bows - I always try to have cav handy and go after their missle units asap - counterbattery is a waste of arrows - better help your melee to hold the enemy until your cav is done with their missels.

I love to fight HA with them though - nothing cuts through the horde as a lot of LB, some billmans and some cav to mob up the mess ;) - a good idea is to get them high armor if using against HA - with enough valor you get a kill ratio of 7 of them to one of yours in a duel - against pavese you will loose in a duel due to their shield but charging them is what highlandmen were made for ;).

just my 10 cents

nick

[R'as al Ghul]

Hi The_678,

the power of the Longbows lies of course in the superior
range. Shoot-outs between Archers are to be avoided as long as not protected by a pavise. Foot Archers against HA works quite good.
If you deploy them like this:
a. A A A A
I I I I
you will be shooting at the Enemy earlier. Your Archers should be save as long as not too far away from the I-Line.
You can back them up if needed. If the Enemy has fast Cav that he charges at this front line of LB you of course have to aid your Archers with spears. But you can use the LB's to flank the CAV with quite good results.
In the Alternative
b. I I I I
A A A A
you only need to worry about the LB's when Enemy CAV comes around the flanks. Friendly fire is no issue as long as you don't order the LB's to shoot the Enemy who has engaged with your Inf.
This works well to prevent flank attacks:
c.
SP SP SP
SP A A A A SP
Sw/CA SW/CA
SP=spears; SW=swords; CA=Cavalry; A=Archers

Hold Position prevents the line of Archers from wheeling around, accuracy penalty included, cause not all of them might be in range.
Height advantage makes your Archers shoot earlier than the Enemy thus inflicting more damage earlier.
In defence it might be better to keep the Archers behind the Inf/Spear line because the Enemy might be charging quickly towards your position and then cause micromanagement problems, drawing archers back, sending Inf to charge etc will have your army run around like a bunch of chicken before they get into their new positions. Not recommended. Just build your stand and be patient. The LB's will start shooting earlier than anybody anyway.

Hope this helps
Cheers

[R'as al Ghul]

Add-On:
I reckon Alternative B or C are best.
In a) you might loose worthy seconds in which you could shoot but are now drawing back.....

[FuNkY mOnKeY]

a good setup I think is this


P P P
long line of fast cav
C I I I IC
SSSS
CC

[DojoRat]

On defense against the French, your primary opponent, I do this
S S S S
S A A A A S
LC I HC G I LC

The spears on ends of the second row are at an angle and could be Billmen as well. The I could be Billmen or Gallowglass/Clansmen. Archers can fire over a front row of spears, though defending on a hill is always better. Let them come to you and pick their most exposed edge and concentrate your arrows and flank attack there. Of course if their general comes close he should be your primary arrow target

On offense it's harder. I put my bows in front and maneuver to keep the AI off balanced.

LC A A A A LC
I S S S S I
HC G I HC

If the AI puts Archers in front run your light cav at them to disrupt them. Use the shift key to run them close and then away, you don't have to make contact. Your primary objective is to get their main line in range and maneuver your Inf into a decent attack position.

[The_678]

Thanks for all the help. I have sortof started using the trapezoid formation already and have found it quite effective. I'm glad to see I came up with a formation wchich is already readily accepted as a good one.
Thanks http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[John86]

here, have a new one if your using pavs and archers.
A= Archers P=Pavs
When moving Do this:

P
PA C PA
C III C

then when you get to the enemy, spread out like this:

P P P
A A A
C III C