best archers that Romani can get?

I've seen mixed answers through these threads, so I thought I'd post this question to clear things up.

I will play only with the Romani:

1)What is the best (foot) archer I can get? In terms of range and main weapon damage and number of shots.

There is a thread (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=93896) that posts some archer stats, but I don't know if it is outdated because I've seen others post answers that go against that data (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=122737).

To me it seems that the Scythian Foot Archer is the best with attack of 5 and range of 198 and 35 shots. I've seen it posted that the Caucasian Archers are the best but they only have 4 attack and range of 175 and 25 shots.

2)The Cretan archers seem good with 6 attack and range of 163, but only 20 shots. They seem to be the closest good archer that Rome can recruit. Is that true? And the Creatans can be recruited on Cretan soil, correct? I've seen a post that says they can't, but the recruitment viewer says that they can be.

3)Which archer would you go for as the Romans and why?

-edit- recruitment, hehehe

Imperial Eastern Archer Auxilia is best of course...:sweatdrop:

But on your note I'll advise Caucasians, cheap, decent recruitment area, low barracks. The missile lethality is devastating and the range and ammo is well enough.

Skythians are more away, require more logistics but can also be used to very good effects.

Kretans are of course perfect for range, defence and good arrows, but are more expensive and the recruitment area is small which require large barracks.

1. In statwise terms I think Bosphoran heavies are the best. But I have not really tried them a lot...

2. Cretans can be recruited with lvl 4 regional barracks on Krete, and I think also at Alexandriea and Antiocheia.

3. I'd go with Caucasians, but of course it depends on how the situation is. I always use what is available at the time and dont forget that persian archers are very good too. Not mentioning Mardians, who defeat the Persians.

~Fluvius

yeah, Eastern Archers are the best archers the Romani can get---

But most people never see the Imperial units.

Toxitai Kretakoi FTW!!!

Have a look in the AAR and Gameplay section. I have posted some advice on archery that others have elaborated on.

Caucasians/Cretans for pure archery. Personally, I'd rate Bosphoran Archers as the best overall, but thats in part due to their ability outside shooting.

If I remember correctly shouldn't Kretans have 35 as well?

But speaking from experience, Imperial Sagittari are best for the initial archer skirmish, as their attack is 5 and have good range (198) but have very good armor. Therefore, they do most casualties against other archers, but against armored units they are surprisingly disappointing. Caucasians have high attack (6), best range (198) and are cheap, but relies on brute force to counterweight their lack of armor in a skirmish. Kretans are the best all around archers (6 attack and 201 range), but they're also the most expensive.

Now you're probably gonna ask: Who would win in a skirmish, 3 Kretans (4500 mnai) or 7 Caucasians (4200 mnai)? Definitely the 7 caucasians, but you must also take into account that you have a max of 20 per army. So if you take 7 archers, your infantry line may be very short.

As for scythians, I have not found them very effective. Their lack of armor, range, and attack make them rather levy-style troops.

I have won many battles with the 3 types of archers. In my opinion, the selection of archers is entirely dependent upon the enemy's selection. Archer Auxilia beat Kretans and participating in the infantry line when dry, Kretans for beating weaker archers and attacking main troops, and Caucasians for beating levy archers and causing maximum damage to main troops.

As a Romani player, I think the Romans didn't need any archers, as they are often face either massive numbers of unarmoured barbarians, or heavily armoured infantry as their primary enemy.... what did I do is recruiting Iasotae and Greek Sligers... they do better job than archers because they are easily trained, and has many ammunitions.

Again I refer to the archery guide, I started it but with the addons it has definately become worth a read to those posting here.

I read the guide, which not all agreed on. Also, the guide in the "guide" sticky has the unit stats different than what your guide had, hence the original post.

My guide has no stats at all. And if you disagree, let us hear where and how?