The missile contingent for Elephants.

[Digby Tatham Warter]

Greetings EBs,
I was curious as to why some factions have been changed to the use of javelins over archers, besides that you have actually found information to support these changes, is there any info as to why for example the Seleukids prefered the javelin.

The javelin doesn't seem as effective overall because it doesn't have the range of the bow. Close up both would of being deadly because of the height advantage, ie there's a good chance of bypassing a shield and some armour(shoulders/neck). Although I don't know the difficulties as a firing platform that a box, on the back of an Elephant presents.

Are the missiles points high enough, as in should they get a bonus representing the advantage of their angled verticle shot?
Also should these missile crews have alot more ammo, because they have a fair amount of storage room up there? It's just that the Seleukids armoured Nellies new javelin crew seem to be uneffective and soon out of ammo.

Cheers for any replies.

[bovi]

A javelin is more cumbersome when stuck in your shield, for a start. I'd also imagine it's easier for many rows of people to throw at short range when the lines have met than it is for archers to shoot; the javelins are in a higher arc whereas the arrows are likely to hit your friends, and they sort of have a minimum range in order to get the velocity needed for damage, except for the front line who don't have someone in their way in front.

[blacksnail]

I am not a historian, but I constantly see the reiteration amongst fellow EB team members that most bows just plain sucked at that point in time.

[Digby Tatham Warter]

I am not a historian, but I constantly see the reiteration amongst fellow EB team members that most bows just plain sucked at that point in time.
Thats fair enough, but the seleukids have access to the Syrian Archers composite bows in the same region as they can build barracks to have the Elephant stables.

[blacksnail]

Right, and the Romani may have had access to lorica segmentata as early as 100 BC, but that did not necessarily mean they used it in warfare. Unless there is actual evidence things are going to remain as is.