What's the best way to use javelins?

**Colovion** · 02-02-2005, 10:33

Wither MTW and RTW - I find skirmishers take a loooong time throwing their javs. This is one of those things which annoys me the most about the series - the way skirmishing doesn't really work all that great most of the time. I love in RTW how the jav length of throw is extended, but it still needs some work.

**Kraxis** · 02-02-2005, 11:12

As opposed to RTW you can actually throw the javelins over the head of your battleline in MTW. It works.

But as mentioned earlier it is better to have them in the rear or at the sides of the enemy. If at all possible try and get them to throw at cavalry. I had a unit of Kerns almost wipe out a unit of Royal Knights (locked in a fight with Feudal Sergeants).

**Oaty** · 02-03-2005, 10:10

In MTW my number 1 use was against horsearchers or jinettes. Against jinettes you are going to take some good casalties but you are making them exhaust ammo on a cheap unit. They are deadly against horse archers, you can usually cut the horsearchers in half with maybe 10 percent casuaties and even if they skirmish away and shoot your javelinmen up you made them expend there time and ammo on them while your main army was able to do it's job.

My secondary purpose was those cataphractoi's

**Colovion** · 02-03-2005, 10:17

Oh I hated those katatanks - only Javs or a load of HA running about could whittle them down to a reasonable size - and then the Jedi generals to boot.

**Graphic** · 02-03-2005, 11:24

I tried some of these tips.

so basically hold a unit in place with spears and when they're screwing around with them, move the javs around and hit their rear. it worked, and man what a satisfying sight seeing the javs connect and wipe 1/3 of their unit out in one volley.

thanks guys

**mfberg** · 02-03-2005, 16:18

Exactly. Another use with fast javelins is to use two units to surround a normal speed armoured foot unit (VG and Joms in VI are my favorites to do this against) and use them on skirmish to chase the foot unit first from one side, then the other. You can cause them to rout after about 3 volleys.

mfberg

**Procrustes** · 02-03-2005, 19:42

I love javelins - very deadly. I don't put them in front of my troops anymore - their range is short and they take a moment to aim and fire - I had them overrun a couple of times. Now I keep them behind my infantry line. They are still very effective if you have them fire over your troops into the melee. Even better if you can keep a couple of them unengaged, and then after the melee has started run them around for a clear shot at the enemy. Try to target knights and heavy cavalry - they go through any armor.

I really like it when I get to use them in a bridge battle. Plug the bridge with some heavy infantry, then march your javs in behind them and arc your fire. Since the front line is constricted by the bridge they will keep up their fire for some time, and will just wear away every unit the AI throws at you.

Best,

P.