weren't javelines more affective

**-Praetor-** · 01-19-2007, 21:04

Originally Posted by Thaatu

BUT archers and slingers are much more effective when flanking than skirmishers, because skirmishers have fewer javelins and shorter range. Why did armies have skirmishers to soften the enemy before a charge, if the javelins generally had no effect on the enemy?

Because something is better than nothing.

And you could always find a good use for cannon fodder...

**Bava** · 01-19-2007, 21:18

Just use them as a target for slingers/archers or as "shield" against the enemy´s cav.

Poor chaps...

P.S. Dont do this with thracian skimishers (they rock!)....

**Thaatu** · 01-20-2007, 10:30

Originally Posted by k_raso

Because something is better than nothing.

The second one is usually the effect at the moment, except against levy infantry.

Originally Posted by Bavarian Barbarian

Just use them as a target for slingers/archers or as "shield" against the enemy´s cav.

I try not to be evil.

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Basic skirmishers have less training than slingers and archers, both of which need a lot of experience to be effective in battle.

Fair enough, though it doesn't resonate that well in game (understandably).

I'm just questioning the tactic of micromanaging your skirmishers to flank the battleline and throwing their javelins at the enemies' back. It's an RTW engine... I wouldn't say exploit, but my vocabulary is limited.
I use my skirmishers to "soften" the enemy battleline, but because 500 javelins only kill about one or two of their targets, it's nothing more than a waste of time. But I still want to keep the historical army composition intact, at least I try...

**Barigos** · 01-20-2007, 10:51

I think that soldiers get wounded anyway,even if nobody dies.So it is better to fight with injured men then with fresh and healthy ones

**geala** · 01-20-2007, 11:44

I concur that javelins are not effective enough. But on the other hand an increase in javelin efffectiveness would change the whole balance of EB.

**PapaNasty** · 01-20-2007, 12:04

Increase Javelin power, but decrease range slightly and make cavalry hurt them more perhaps? I've always thought that a big pointy stick (javelin) should do more damage than a smaller pointy stick (arrow).... but of course i'm not taking the "propulsion" device into consideration hehe.

**Sdragon** · 01-20-2007, 12:56

Javalins are nasty to lighter troops like the Gauls. If they were more effective light infantry would be chewed up and spat out before the fight starts.

**Aldaceleb** · 01-20-2007, 16:03

Originally Posted by Sdragon

Javalins are nasty to lighter troops like the Gauls. If they were more effective light infantry would be chewed up and spat out before the fight starts.

That's true. A roman army with legionaries and Velites can easily kill 15-20% of the barbarians before they even get to close combat.