Consider a Hypothetical Engagement of...

**WinsingtonIII** · 09-16-2009, 01:01

If the player has control of the Drapanai and puts a few units in front spread into loose formation to absorb the bulk of the initial volleys, then hopefully the other Drap units behind would not be so depleted and this could allow them to close with the Toxotai without being annihilated. Once melee ensues, the Drapanai will certainly win. Now if the player has control of the Toxotai and manages them well, avoiding melee, the Toxotai could certainly win as well.

As for routing, I don't think the Draps would rout due to missile fire. They have too high morale for that (especially if the units they are going to engage in melee are only Toxotai). It's more likely that they'll simply be shot down to the last man.

I think it's really decided by which side has a player controlling and which side the AI. But I voted for Drapanai just to even up the poll.

**Julius Augustus** · 09-16-2009, 01:49

Oh, they will rout. Sudden casualties like losing 30 men in 5 seconds cause huge morale drops. When the unit is already half depleted, losing 30 guys at once is like being charged in the back with heavy cavalry=insta route.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 09-16-2009, 02:16

Not realistic. With many units, tactics are an issue. Any good RTW tactician, or simply a superb micromanager can win with either one. I will test in a 1 unit vs. 1 unit, placing the Drapanai beyond Toxotai range in EB Singleplayer when I get the chance.

**the man with no name** · 09-16-2009, 02:59

Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus

Not realistic. With many units, tactics are an issue. Any good RTW tactician, or simply a superb micromanager can win with either one. I will test in a 1 unit vs. 1 unit, placing the Drapanai beyond Toxotai range in EB Singleplayer when I get the chance.

Exactly. To close to call. It would be easier to decide in a 1 unit v. 1 unit battle like Aemilius said.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 09-16-2009, 03:15

Originally Posted by the man with no name

Exactly. To close to call. It would be easier to decide in a 1 unit v. 1 unit battle like Aemilius said.

Yes, but also there comes the issue of fire arrows. Should I use the fire at will or not?

**antisocialmunky** · 09-16-2009, 03:44

It'd be a draw. Drapnai can't catch toxotai but toxotai can't stop and shoot. I've played beserker Getai online before and msisiles usually don't stop it.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 09-16-2009, 04:47

Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

It'd be a draw.

You know very well that is impossible.

**WinsingtonIII** · 09-16-2009, 23:46

Originally Posted by Julius Augustus

Oh, they will rout. Sudden casualties like losing 30 men in 5 seconds cause huge morale drops. When the unit is already half depleted, losing 30 guys at once is like being charged in the back with heavy cavalry=insta route.

I've seen units with less base morale than Drapanai come sallying out to meet my armies (so they are already at about 2/3 strength) get devastated by arrow fire (not fire arrows though) and not rout. Instead they just all die after a few volleys. If they so much as touch one of my units in melee while they're in this bombarded state though, they run for the hills. I don't know, this was just my experience during a campaign with medium battle difficulty. Maybe they had some ridiculous general bonuses (I think it was an eleutheroi city and those generals usually have ridiculous stats).

**A Terribly Harmful Name** · 09-17-2009, 00:34

Oh and forgot your tests, ASM. Take a balloon too:

.

**antisocialmunky** · 09-17-2009, 03:34

Thnx. Just to add, Toxotai aren't that bad. Their main job is to take out opposing psiloi who has to stand still and wear the same pathetic armor. And considering that Sphendontai are some of the most cost effective troops in the game, well... toxotai are pretty important if you want to counter them before cretans show up.