Quote Originally Posted by ReluctantSamurai View Post
Another suggestion is to remove the fire-at-will from your archers/teppo.
For archers, yes, I'd say: use the arrows only when they will do much damage. For teppo... ehh, they have almost unlimited ammo anyway?

I move their fire onto units crowded on the bridge. You cause a lot more casualties that way for the same amount of ammunition.
I do the same! Also because I thought it would be harsch firing into the engaged units. I would also hit my own.
Yet, I have no clue if this little strategy of ours really pays off in numbers. I guess so.

How I usually deploy in bridge defense nowadays:



red being archers, black melee inf. probably yari samurai. I dislike it when my infantry needs to run through archers to block the incoming enemy. this way, my archers can keep firing for a long time (since no yari's are running through them), and I can still block the enemy when they get too close. Usually, any enemy routs when my yari's charge. I usually don't let them engage. I do often fire the routing units, it seems to cause a good deal of casulties. that is, if they're crowded. espcially when you're outnumbered, it's important that ALL of your arrows are spent well. I usually use 2-3 archer units when a delegation of the enemy army crosses. when they get close-yari charge-rout-wait, and it starts over again. I don't need all archer units on the first line. some can wait, and replace the units in line when they run out of ammo.
If you're out of ammo and the enemy is still outnumbering you... I'd say, consider running away to minimize your losses. However, most of the time you can still win. the enemy is tired and has low morale by this time. the formation above seems to work fine for a final battle too. It ensures that you charge both the front and the flank of the incoming enemies. usually you can rout the entire bunch and chase them to the border. if they don't rout, you'll have to fight it out!