Artillery really needs to be toned down.

**rvg** · 01-16-2010, 00:55

I like artillery. Actually no, I *love* artillery and use it a lot. Having said that, I also have to admit that artillery in its current state is overpowered and is ruining the game experience for me. Yes, I'm referring to its unlimited ammo. It is a long range, zero retaliation, inexhaustible instrument of torture, and as a result, battles boil down to having plenty of artillery, protecting it well, winning the artillery duel with the enemy and finally, slaughtering the enemy from a long range. That's it. The problem only gets worse as technology advances, and once the Shrapnel shot and Quicklime make their appearance, the game is nothing but an artillery shootout. Tactically, that is extremely effective and souldestroyingly boring. Artillery should definitely have a limited (20-30 shot) supply of ammo. It'll still be very powerful, but at least this way the other units will have a chance at glory.

**Peasant Phill** · 01-16-2010, 18:47

The overpowerdness (is it a word?) is in the eye of the beholder. A few patches back, people complained that artillery was useless. It also depends on the unit size somebody plays. On small, artillery will be a lot less effective than on huge. The third problem is the BAI, it doesn't use the same amount of artillery and it doesn't always see the need to rush you when it needs to. I'm sure that in multiplayer the artillery is much less 'overpowered'

That being said, you like using lots of artillery because it makes for an easy victory. The solution is simple, if you want to have a bit more of a challenge, just don't use so much artillery anymore.

P.S. I know this is is a balancing issue that CA should be adressing but that isn't very likely (unless Napoleon fixes this problem along with many others)

**Fisherking** · 01-16-2010, 19:32

If you think it is overpowered then switch to mortars. That is what CA did to an effective weapon when multiplayer types were complaining...

I never have trouble fighting with little or no artillery and I welcome battles where the enemy has a load of it.

It is a matter of how you deploy your troops and the mix you use. I am sure that if the AI made good use of light dragoons you would tell us that they are overpowered and that they render artillery useless...which is somewhat true...

The most artillery I ever use is four pieces. Two cannon and two howitzers. I may go with three galloper 6 lbs. at times but I have no trouble fighting with only one gun. I would fight with none but then the AI garrison's every building they can find and I don't like having to root them out.

**Beskar** · 01-16-2010, 21:42

I basically never use it untill late game, even then, I only use two lots for some quick scattershots as if left any able of time, they just get killed. Also they really hamper your advance due to pathing AI, etc, and the cannons targetting AI, makes the battle field feel like you are allied with Americans.

**Megas Methuselah** · 01-17-2010, 01:57

I never use artillery in multiplayer, they're too slow for my blitz tactics. Sometimes I might bring in a horse arty which I use to flank the enemy, but it still takes a long time to unload, and moreover, tires quickly.

If somebody arty spams against me, then it's an easy victory.

**Vuk** · 01-17-2010, 02:22

Artillery is not overpowered. The thing is that if someone has tons of artillery, then they cannot have the troops necessary to defend it. If they do not have a lot of artillery, and the other player charges them, then it will be troops who are most important, not artillery.

**rvg** · 01-17-2010, 17:52

I wasn't talking about multiplayer though. I do not play multiplayer.

**Seamus Fermanagh** · 01-20-2010, 21:44

RVG:

I agree here. Though the AI seems to love closing to bayonet range anyway -- even when they have a 5-1 advantage in tubes.

I think what I'd do is limit the special ammos. In truth, things like shrapnel and quicklime etc. were comparatively rare and represented only a small proportion of what was in the caisson.

In MP, as I understand it, artillery is either prohibited or discarded as too slow, never gets into battle. This is no doubt true since the replays I've seen all seem to emphasize constant running and circling.

**Vuk** · 01-23-2010, 01:09

Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh

RVG:

I agree here. Though the AI seems to love closing to bayonet range anyway -- even when they have a 5-1 advantage in tubes.

I think what I'd do is limit the special ammos. In truth, things like shrapnel and quicklime etc. were comparatively rare and represented only a small proportion of what was in the caisson.

In MP, as I understand it, artillery is either prohibited or discarded as too slow, never gets into battle. This is no doubt true since the replays I've seen all seem to emphasize constant running and circling.

lol, in SP it is even less of a problem. You just gotta be smarter than the dumb AI, and that is not that hard.

**antisocialmunky** · 01-23-2010, 01:25

CA really needs a capture the enemy's camp mode to stop that sort of circle strafing.

**Slaists** · 01-27-2010, 17:51

Originally Posted by rvg

I wasn't talking about multiplayer though. I do not play multiplayer.

Well, anything is OVERPOWERED against the BAI... In the current state, you're better off (get a harder fight) turning the AI side over to a 4-year old (human), who does not know anything about tactics.

Try playing a multi-player campaign in which the human player can take over the AI side in battles. You'll see the difference. Artillery is not overpowered.