Quote Originally Posted by Doug-Thompson
I'm glad somebody brought up the much-neglected topic of infantry tactics.

We card-carrying missile cavalry nutcases can't stop discussing tactics. In fact, the best discussion of infantry tactics I've seen on these boards recently was a very good discussion on how infantry should fight horse archers.

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The strength of foot archers in concentration. Much of the fire here is concentrated against good-quality units. Does that keep up once the melee lines come into contact? Are archers grouped so they can concentrate fire to assist the flank attacks?

Once one of the flanks begins to collapse, do the archers behind it stay where they are to maintain fire, or do they advance to get some enfilade and flanking fire on the rest of the line? Are they out of arrows by that point, or is the collapse of the enemy line too quick for them to move?

Do they use regular arrows for effect, or fire arrows for the morale penalty?

What about using shorter-ranged javelin troops on one end of the line, then having archers on the other end concentrate their longer-ranged fire on the same side, acheiving a crushing concentration of missiles?
I've played fairly extensively as both England and Spain, both of whom can rely on either archers or Javelinmen to an extent (Spain less so than England).

As England, I'll utilise Archers in different ways, but I think people underestimate just how deadly they are. I know a couple of friends who play and all they do with their archers is stick them on walls and leave them there during sieges, or stick them at the back of the army and let them fire arrows indiscriminately.

Tactics as described by the OP using heavy cavalry to circle around and flank the already engaged infantry? I'll do that with longbows. They can move pretty fast and if you keep them with your front line can flank fairly smoothly. Once flanking, they are pure and simple deadly, either with fire to rout, or plain missiles to kill, they will quickly decimate units.

In town sieges, I'll usually have longbows on the walls for a moment or two, and let fly a few volleys before retreating to the town square (I usually defend around there, not the gates). Longbows (or bows of any kind, crossbows are insanely deadly also, but longer reload times) are deployed along the longest straights I can find. Firing volleys of arrows straight into the oncoming enemy (especially early in the game) is devestating, and with fire arrows, can be an almost guaranteed rout, which leads to your general pursuing and cleaning up.

As for Javelins - I've used them to some extent, and they can be absolutely lethal, but they require a fair amount of micro management. Alumghvars can be absolutely deadly if used correctly. Excellent vs mounted troops, plus the javelins is a good combination, and they work wonders in siege defence.

Just my 2cp =p