Ballista tactics

[qmark]

Just wondered if anyone has more success than me with anti-infantry/cavalry ballista? I find they get overrun very easily and don't do a great deal of damage before they do. I'm sure I'm just setting them up in the wrong place but any advice would be welcome.

I found placing artillery in Nap TW pretty easy, the cannisters went between 2 units of line infantry, each covering the other. It worked a treat from a defensive position. However trying the same in RTW just doesn't yield anywhere near the same results.


Anybody got any suggestions?

[SpencerH]

I've used the repeating ballistae between units of my defensive line quite effectively. The trick is to micromanage what unit it's firing at and focus on anything that looks like it will attack the ballistae unit itself. Often the attack will break up before it comes too near the 'guns' but I also try to keep arcani or gladiators behind (just in case).

[qmark]

So you're saying you have a fast, hard heavy infantry unit as close support? That makes sense. I'd previously used them as flanking, shock troops but maybe holding them back as cover might be an idea.

Cheers dude.

[derF]

I only use ballistas and other siege weapons on attacks. That way, i can punush the enemy for holding their ground. In defence, theyre much less useful.

[Productivity]

So you're saying you have a fast, hard heavy infantry unit as close support? That makes sense. I'd previously used them as flanking, shock troops but maybe holding them back as cover might be an idea.

Cheers dude.

Two sets of ballistae, out wide, firing in on the main battle.

ie.

**______________________________**
_________MAIN BATTLE LINE__________

With a unit of support for them. That way if they don't send anything in to attack the ballistae, you can flank them anyway.

[mfberg]

I put them in line with my hastati/princepes and back them with velites. As the enemy advances they get larger morale hits until they run (usually at about 3m from my line).

mfberg

[Somebody Else]

Was playing RTR 5.2, I had an army slaughtering people at a bridge (as one does). The Romans eventually fielded an army with ballistas. I now have had to change my tactics completely. The first time, the AI completely mauled my troops with ballista fire.

[SpencerH]

So you're saying you have a fast, hard heavy infantry unit as close support? That makes sense. I'd previously used them as flanking, shock troops but maybe holding them back as cover might be an idea.

Cheers dude.

The fact that they are a small units helps too. They dont take forever to move through the balistae crew.

[zambol]

In my roman standard legion I use an artilleristic support unit of
2 scorpions: long ranged support weapon for early openig fire
2 modern ballistae : short ranged support where the heat is on
1 or 2 onager/heavy onager

this artillery department is used on one flank, massed and not split up.
I always concentrate fire, the onagers in infantry masses, the scorpions on specific targets ( other archers, cavalery, generals....), the rep. ballistae giving close support before engaging to brake up infantry masses.
especially against rebels or other underdeveloped armies artillery can be decisive before the battle( close combat) even has begone.
even at the end of the game scorpions where quite useful because of there long range, which compensates the lower firing rate very well in my opinion.