Question for the vets.

[figulus]

Hi , Am at about 244bc awaiting poly refms and have got 2/3 of sicily and first
two provinces in southern gaul (as Romani.) Can anyone tell me what the best
missile units are for the romans? Have done quite well with the standard slingers so far but greek and celtic archers have now become available as aux
troops? Do I change now or wait for reforms?

Regards ,

Figulus.

[bovi]

What units are best is largely dependant on your own playing style. Slingers are really powerful throughout the game though.

[Gask]

Archers are fairly worthless compared to slingers now for me. They cost less and do more, but they do get bloody boring after awhile . I wish that there were an assortment of elite AP longbowmen.

[figulus]

Thanks Bovi , just wondered wether slingers flat trajectory would become a
problem at some stage but I guess it hasn't yet!

Regards,

Fugulus

[Gask]

They will hit your own men if they are in the rear but it is only a few here and there. As long as they stand back a bit there isnt much of an issue.

[Grey_Fox]

I typically place my slingers on the far flanks of my army at a 45 degree angle to my infantry, facing inwards, which gives them good flanking fire. Just remember to cover them with cavalry.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

For Roman missile units, I usually use the Celtic slingers in the north. They do real well.

[Goatus_Boyus]

Interesting,I have always used archers,flaming attacks always take down an enemy morale before they reach your lines,and if tou can get them to fire into combat,enemy units tend to break quicker?

[Brightblade]

There is some debate as to whether slingers are a wee bit too kickbutt, personally I'd use 2 slinger units max to keep the battles a bit more fair for the limited AI, and go with a unit of archers or two for the flame arrows which tend to frighten masses of barbarians :)

[Mi Fhein]

I try and and give all of my armies on unit of slingers when they are at my empires borders. especially when it is a small army. they are very handy for taking out heavy cavalry which is preferred when vastly outnumbered.

[Kralizec]

Cretan archers are probably the best archers in the game. They don't have AP like slingers do, but have a base attack of 6. Against enemies with low armour but large shields, Cretans will do better then Celtic slingers.
Celtic slingers have a longer range though (200 instead of 160, most other slingers are 180 IIRC) and twice as much ammo (40 instead of 20)
Finally Cretans have more armour and fare better in melee.

These two are probably the best (that you can easily get your hands on, anyway)
I like the Cretans especially for some reason. They're pretty cheap compared to other mercenaries, too.

[mucky305]

I usually only use slingers for city defense since I hate losing guys to friendly fire and no fire ammo ability (I rely on the towers for that).