Need Help on Celtic Factions

[LordCurlyton]

TBH I only have used a skirmisher screen of sorts against those with actual skirmishers, though my preferred method is to use my Leuce Epos to drive away their skirmishers and brutalize their line with mine. The luso I'm basically am forced to do so as I was taking inordinate casualties from their faster infantry with similar punch so I whittle them down and draw them to me. Of course, against a Carthage AI that feels no shame in sending a stack full of ultra-elites against me I have no problems using every trick I need to ensure those damnable Elite African Pikes break ASAP.

[antisocialmunky]

I've never really had much luck with skirmishers in open battlefields. :-\ I mean, they usually get cut up pretty good and the Javelins aren't that great. I usually just used massed archers behind a heavy infantry line. When I deploy skirmishers infront, the AI usually charges everything in and cause a mess.

I usually either flank with them and javelin in the back or keep them behind my main line as a reserve. Also it isn't a bad thing to meet a charging enemy with a wall of javelins to the face.

Perhaps we can make use of the 'lowered morale' stat effect(from hornets and dead cattle projectiles) in EBII to make them more effective.

[LordCurlyton]

Meh, they are quite effective as long as you don't expect them to take the heavily armored units of any given faction out in droves. They function quite well as irritants who entice a mass charge or as units that can severely damage light-to-medium quality infantry. My priorities for skirmisher use are thus, in order:
Help establish cavalry superiority by luring enemy cavalry into unfavorable situations
Entice medium and/or heavy units to charge the (preferably) center of my infantry line, which will generally contain a solid set of spears or some of my really heavy sword infantry. This will allow my flanks to, well, flank
Find a weak or exploitable spot in the enemy's line and weaken that area with concentrated javelin-fire. This is only done after cavalry superiority is obtained.

Expect to take casualties in almost any battle with your skirmishers but then they are generally cheap and easy to replace. To wit, the best skirmishers that I have encountered or used is the Gaesemica(sP?), the Celtiberian Javelineers. They come with a nice bundle of javelins plus they are also a very effective light infantry, which has killed more than one Luso FM in my service.

[theoldbelgian]

i tend to disagree the lowest getai skirmishers are cheap and are excellent at taking out elephants ( I have seen it happen and it was beautiful)
they also hold their own against light infantry and can hold a line for a while
I conquered nearly all of the Thracian tribes except for the one in Asia minor due to epeirote invasion
with an army which was nearly a full stack which contained around 50% skirmishers

[Subotan]

I once saw four units of Akonsitai take down elephants that were trying to smash through my wall, one at a time. It was like watching art in motion, except with Elephant and the pwning of Epeiros.

[Cyclops]

The basic point (made so eloquently by anitsocialmunky and others) is that 3 keltoi factions bleed a lot, until reforms and regionals give them some staying power. You need to find a way to finish battles quickly (using fear units of the wheeled or naked variety) and manage your recruitment/population options carefully so full stacks are always at hand.

Fighting like a kelt means breasting up to the opponent in a brave way and hammering them. This doesn't have to mean a full frontal attack all along the line but from RP perspective I'd be looking to cut a hole in the enemy formation (with swords or horsemen) and pour through it (with no pants on so they break fast), rather than a shifty, skulky Getai/Lusso style series of ambushes and feints, or some cumbrous steamrolling spearwall/phalanx arrangement where everyone's following orders.

As mentioned, foot FM frontlines are a charm. I run my Swevboz campaign on FM's and a handful of mercs, leaving the tribal levy available for breeding purposes (vital on huge). Not entirely keltic, but if you're prepared to pay the price 4 units of Keltic minor kings makes a nasty battle line.

Conversely I cannot make the Casse chariot FM's work for me, they tend to spectate and pursue, or die. When I oppose them they chew my men like combine harvesters. I lost 2 whole stacks (mostly superior or elite) to the Casse in my current Lusso campaign and counted myself lucky to get off that cheaply. When i stormed the last city their still mighty stacks all went rebel and fortunately ther chariots became Brihentin, something even my levy spearmen could handle.

I once saw four units of Akonsitai take down elephants that were trying to smash through my wall, one at a time. It was like watching art in motion, except with Elephant and the pwning of Epeiros.

Just had that in the Balearics with the Cartho's trying to rush Boccoris with bush elephants and elites vs 3 ambushers and a FM inside (ah the sound of a toppling elephant). Were your fellas piffing spears or actually engage hand-to-tusk? My guys were just piffing but it was a most satisfying win.

[antisocialmunky]

Thracian Skirmishers are probably one of the best units in the game. Period.

[Aemilius Paulus]

I conquered nearly all of the Thracian tribes except for the one in Asia minor due to epeirote invasion
with an army which was nearly a full stack which contained around 50% skirmishers

Well, if those were the Dakian Komatai or even the elite Komatai or Thrakian skirmishers, then yes, you could have a whole stack of them and be able to defeat just about anything. Those Thrakian skirmishers especially are pretty much the most effective and versatile in all of EB, while still relatively inexpensive.