Chemical Ali and the fireworks

[Cannibal]

Long post-and possible spoiler.

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I've played muslim factions many times and always bypassed naptha throwers in favour of more conventional (and longer range) missile troops. the times I have used them in large armies have been something of a tactical disaster http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-juggle.gif

Then I was faced with having to use them to work Katank's blitz stategy-you have to make do largely with your starting line up because you don't have the time to produce a bunch of other troops. So I had to figure out how to best use them, here's an example:

The Byzantines are facing a rebellion and find themselves defending against a unit of archers with a depleted unit of Byzantine infantry and a full unit of naptha throwers (it was very early in the game). Various tactical choices all involve the Byz inf and/or the naptha throwers all getting shot to pieces before we can strike a blow for Constantinople

I set up in a wooded area at the back of the map, with the naptha throwers forward and to one side of the Byz inf. The archers head straight for the Byz inf. (general) and set up in a neat row to fire at the infantry, I ease the naptha guys forward into range. The first arrow volley takes one of the infantry, then there is the snick of flint followed by a small light show and 10 archers bite the dust. They continue to aim at the Byz inf., don't they see the naptha throwers? The Byz. inf shifts further beneath the trees to avoid some of the arrows, but still loses another couple of guys, in the meantime the naptha guys have had another couple of unopposed throws and killed over half the unit. The naptha unit still has not been fired at, so they move and wave to attract the archers attention. It works and the archers nock arrows and aim at the natha guys-totally missing the Byzantine infantry charging into their flanks. Only four archers from a unit total of 50 actually managed to rout off the field.

Ah such pungent success. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

[The_Emperor]

Naptha is great stuff if you use it right.

It comes into its own in a bridge battle, where they can stand behind your infantry and just throw their stuff into the mass of people.

They make great flankers as you have already said, but they are also good at killing generals.

Next time you get an enemy King and his Royal Knights charge at you, hold him in place with some Byz Inf and then throw some Naptha into the mix.

[Inuyasha12]

With napta there only good at certain battles and times and positions. They aren't very versatile, but when they are used effectively they wreak havok.

Unfortunately i haven't really scored with napta or really tried to be honest.

[katank]

with good tactics, it's possible to keep both Naples and conquer and keep Sicily using your starting Byz nf and naptha.

it will be years before reinforcement arrive and you shall be very familiar with those units before long.

BTW, in my blitz, you hit Rum the first turn with every thing in Anatolia.

just use your katank emperor. when the spears waltz up to try and kill him, lob a nade or two and soon their little spear dudes are running for their lives

you don't need your own spear unless things are really going wrong.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Yes, Cannibal, these guys are easily overlooked. It took me a (too) long time as well before I realized their full potential, but now I won't leave home without them:


The goal in a battle is to break your enemies morale, and naphta are better at that than just about anything else.

Is it a plane? Is it a bird? No It's that pesky jedi general blown 30ft up in the air http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

And they're ultra low on maintenance cost. I've grown accustomed to having one ore two in my defensive armies. They won't eat up your resources but will work wonders when placed high up on a defensible hilltop.

[katank]

also, once, while targeting an enemy unit marching up a steep hill with naptha, the grenade missed but then flew down the slope and landed at the bottom and with a giant explosion, killed their general

the missed shot probably was close to arrow range.

that was so sweet.

leading shots with naptha with a slope can work wonders for extending range.