Question on Achers

[Yeos]

In my Romani campaign, I am expanding into Greek territory. So far, I only know that Kreten archer is a very good archer (hired them and just couldn't let it go) and Toxotai (or whatever you call them) are crappy archer simply because I used them once.

Now, my question is how to judge whether an archer is good archer or just crappy? Do you see the stat or do you just have to used them to know it good?

[gamegeek2]

Stats are often good for judging, but yes you should really play around with them before you judge.

[vartan]

I would be highly suspicious of anybody calling an archer "good" or "bad". Archer units should be compared using their melee stats, ranged stats, and other attributes. Some archers are better than others in melee, while some are better in range. Some are more armoured. Some are higher in morale and discipline. Some have spears. Some knives. Some shortswords. Some longswords. Sure, archers are usually going to fight ranged and not in melee, but just reminding y'all that no single factor can justify such human constructs as "good" and "bad". If you state where you are fighting and who you are fighting, you can easily be given a list of several optimal choices of archer for your specific situation by any competent member/player here.

[Yeos]

I would be highly suspicious of anybody calling an archer "good" or "bad". Archer units should be compared using their melee stats, ranged stats, and other attributes. Some archers are better than others in melee, while some are better in range. Some are more armoured. Some are higher in morale and discipline. Some have spears. Some knives. Some shortswords. Some longswords. Sure, archers are usually going to fight ranged and not in melee, but just reminding y'all that no single factor can justify such human constructs as "good" and "bad". If you state where you are fighting and who you are fighting, you can easily be given a list of several optimal choices of archer for your specific situation by any competent member/player here.

Oh....Ok, lesson learn..... nvr judge an unit by "good" or "bad"....... ^^

Okok... now I may be going into Carthage territory (north Africa) or Gaul soon, so I was thinking of finding a replacement for my roman skirmishers (I dunno the name), something that I can "soften" the enemy before combat. I was thinking of finding another local skirmishers for replacement but then I thought maybe I replace them with a archer instead.

[Unintended BM]

On one of my Sweboz games, I used two units of Germanic Archers for the entire conquest of Gaul. They're pretty crappy, but I wasn't really facing anything better than them, so they were very good.

Generally, if you're in an area where you can hire Kretan Archers, go for them, and if you aren't, go for the locals. When you're in the east, the locals are usually much better than toxotai, so it might be worth it to make a trip over there to pick up some Caucasian or Persian archers, otherwise, just use what's availiable. Rarely do archers make or break the battle, unless you're in the east, where archers are very effective against most things except cataphracts.

Also, I think Numidian archers are pretty decent, I could be wrong though. Celtic slingers are really good, I'd suggest using them as your skirmisher of choice in Gaul. That, or hire some Kretans before you leave to fight.

[gamegeek2]

Numidian Archers are available from a lv2 native MIC and are some of the best archers the Romans have early access to.

[Yeos]

I don't really like to hired mercenary. The only Kretan archer I hired is in Greece (only one unit....). I prefer to "train" my own archer. ^^

Edit: Not just archer, any unit from infantry to cavalry, I prefer to train them.

Numidian Archers are available from a lv2 native MIC and are some of the best archers the Romans have early access to.

I guess I will just go for them in North Africa then.

[gamegeek2]

sorry, i mean regional not native/factional

[J.R.M]

Numidians archers have AP clubs that can be pretty useful in some situations if i remember correctly.

[vartan]

That's right J.R.M. Yeos, I suggest you hire local Numidian skirmishers and archers. They will prove advantageous to your Roman army. And also use them to soak enemy missile fire. The Numidians are born sacrificial units...

[Yeos]

That's right J.R.M. Yeos, I suggest you hire local Numidian skirmishers and archers. They will prove advantageous to your Roman army. And also use them to soak enemy missile fire. The Numidians are born sacrificial units...

Then I will gladly sacrifice them!! ^^

Next stop for my roman army, North Africa !!

[Qvintvs]

All archers become surprisingly useful when you fight Gauls or Sweboz.

[Yeos]

All archers become surprisingly useful when you fight Gauls or Sweboz.

Could it have something to do with lack armor? I haven't exactly fought them yet, only once in Medialolum against Aedui.

[seienchin]

All archers become surprisingly useful when you fight Gauls or Sweboz.

Toxotai　and gaul archers are still crappy^^
To determin if a archer is usefull, read the description of the units. The EB Team hints if a an archer is usefull.

[antisocialmunky]

Basically the Further NW you go, the worse the ranged units are and the further E you go the better they are.

Also yeah, Numidians. Don't charge them with horses.

[Macilrille]

In the AAR section, and listed in the Tactical Advice List that is stickied there, there is a pretty good thread on archers and archery.