How to beat longbows?

[Odin]

Longbows aren't that great in melee, obviously, nor did CA really make them overpowered, but they're excellent long range, armour piercing bowmen as they were historically of course.

I have personally sufferred a tragic defeat at teh hands of the English because of thier longbows. Thier range chopped up my invading Danish forces and I had no where to run for the cover. The problem I had was my force compisition, I really didnt have any speed units.

So yeah, engage them if you can thier defense isnt great at all, but you have to get to them first and that might mean a little pain. I often go to battle with superior numbers, not necessarily better quality and the AI takes up a defensive position covering thier missle units.

Consider your force structure and consider bringing in less troops. The AI will be more engaged in the battle (rather then playing defensively) and that will enable you to flank, or better yet, charge your cavalry right at the longbows. If the AI is attacking with Longbows, well the advice given by the other gentlemen is great, with the exception of marching your missle units and trading blows with them.

Longbows will have 2 salvo's off before you get into range of them, and dependant on the enemy force you might have to deal with the longbows assigned defensive divisions as well, further exposing yourself to thier range.

"one who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage wll not attain it" (Sun Tza).

You should worry about thier range but not make their strength's your weakness by committing your strategy to one specific unit type's elimination.

[antisocialmunky]

You can always put them in loose with a long formation to reduce casualties. Then right your units engage, pull them in tight.