using melee mode for missiles...

[seireikhaan]

Shoot then slash. Get a couple volleys off, kill a couple guys, then charge in. Loosing soldiers to arrow fire helps put a bit of a dent into enemy soldier's morale, thus helping to make them route faster. And, of course, once they route, its game over for them, especially if you're using Steppe heavies.

[Roark]

Ditto. Your hybrid unit can benefit from the morale-dampening effects of its own missile fire if you lob some arrows into the enemy unit and then charge in quick succession, as the morale penalty for being under fire seems to last for a few seconds.

For naturally low-morale enemy units, though, I would probably just charge in straight away, as they will break anyway.

[caravel]

This is the real secret behind hybrid use. You must, at some point, commit them to melee. The trick is choosing the right moment to minimize their losses amd maximize the effect on the enemy. As the others have said, first getting off some volleys and then charging is the best option.

[Ironsword]

I don't believe in using the unlimited ammo option, but I think longbowmen run out of arrows really quickly, too quickly perhaps, but whilst not great in melee they have been instrumental in a few close victories with flank charges.

Speaking of which, anyone ever won a battle with all missile troops vs. a mixed type army of equal size and valour?

[Aldgilles]

Speaking of which, anyone ever won a battle with all missile troops vs. a mixed type army of equal size and valour?

Not really, because Ï've always a backup of spears/halberds/swords standing behind them, but my unit of 4 alerbasters + 2 crossbows under a 7-star general with extra defensive capabilities really made mincemeat form a Mongol attack!

[putts]

Looking for a little clarification on your question....

Are you saying that you have a troop of foot doing battle with the enemy's foot and you are wondering whether, at that point, it's best to charge on foot or shoot?

Or.....

Are there no foot in the equation at all and it's just your hybrid archers versus some of their men?

If you have, say, some of your spearman engaged with some of their spearmen then I'm quite sure that firing rounds at the enemy's spear will lower the morale of your own troops (apparently, they don't like being shot at by their own men). So, if that is the case then I would say charge the flank, don't shoot the flank.

Otherwise, definitely shoot first then charge.

[macsen rufus]

Speaking of which, anyone ever won a battle with all missile troops vs. a mixed type army of equal size and valour?

Many, many times - always as the Turks. It is very easy to put together an all-missile army that has good melee capability with that faction. With 16 units-worth of arrows flying at an advancing enemy, it can be surprising how little melee fighting is involved