Should Carthage have archers?

[Arkatreides]

I dunno, it feels a bit strange that of all the factions the carthaginians have no archers (while their neighbours the Numidians get them at the lowest level of archery range). What do you guys think?

[Kraxis]

Had this discussion some time back.
Carthage didn't use archers all that much (but they were used), but then again neither did Rome and they still get Roman Archers. Also given that archers are rather powerful in the game it is a serious weakness for Carthage not to have any archers, beyond those they hire.
It is also interesting that the Numidian Archers are in fact Cathagenian Archers.

So all in all go for it.

[Ziu]

It is also interesting that the Numidian Archers are in fact Cathagenian Archers.

Really never noticed that. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Carthage drew it's missile cav ect from the numidians.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Didn't Rome use their archers to basically pepper the enemy before sending in the legionarries?
I wish archers were more available as them, but they did rely on mercs for most of their troops anyway.

[Maedhros]

I might be confused, but I think Roman archers were rare until the reforms, and then still not in heavy use until the Emperial period.


Carthage is strong enough with horse, a good player can compensate for a lack of missiles. Especially with masses of slingers which I almost like better.

[Red Harvest]

Correct, Rome used velites during Republican times, while archer use was rare. "Polybian legions" contained velites, but no archers as core units. And the employment of velites and such was probably given a boost by enemies of Rome such as the Samnites (ca. 350-300 BC) who used more mobile/harassing tactics to deal the early Roman armies some serious defeats.

If you look through the unit files, you will find a lot of minor factions units have unit file names of major factions including Carthage. Names like: carthage_scutarius, carthaginian_slinger_merc, carthage_bull_warrior, carthage_numidian_javelinman, carthage_numidian_cavalry.

From what I've read, the Carthaginian archer was probably meant to represent Mauritanean archers (which would have come from Carthaginian settlements I think.) Carthage might not have actually fielded any of their own archers (not including mercs) in the Punic wars up until Hannibal's last ditch defense of Carthage at Zama. So the rub is that in the game, Numidia has control of the region that would be Mauritanea rather than Carthage. This is of course due to the fact that it is difficult to show thin strips of Carthaginian coastal outposts in the game vs. regions. Plus, CA probably needed to do something to fill out Numidia's unit card against all those nasty Egyptian bowmen.

Having Carthage rely on the Balearics makes some sense from a historical standpoint. Alas, archery is very powerful in the game and the Romans get access to archers, so what should just be a "cultural difference" in the armies becomes a critical difference instead.