Experience Question

[Papewaio]

The easiest way to test it is to do custom battles.

Even if their is a statistical difference it is always better to test drive units.

In some cases a 5% bonus makes a huge difference in outcome of performance, while with other units a 50% bonus has little effect.

Archers do get more deadly... but I prefer in the game to buy better versions with better upgrades. Valour goes up at about half the rate for archer kills compared with melee. The advantage tends to be that archers don't get killed off as quickly so they get more time to progress.

The best ones to use IMDHO are Horse Archers as they can quickly rack up the valour with routing units.

[Dutch_guy]

Also, does experience affect the efficacy of artillery units?

yes, IIRC the hit percentage increases with each chevron - don't hagve a clue how much- and thus the efficiancy of the artillery unit is increased, I have not tested this myself, but in my time here at the .org I have heard this

[Togakure]

It's also important to consider the cost increase of a unit (in Multiplayer, MP) with higher honor/valor etc., relative to the increase in performance.

My understanding is that ranged units do increase in effectiveness as they honor/valor up, but the improvement is marginal beyond a certain level, and the cost in multiplayer quickly exceeds the benefit of the improvement.

There are others here who are well-qualified to comment about this in much greater detail.