Light Infantry vs Line Infantry

[Kobal2fr]

Skirmishers are handicapped by having only slightly longer range, sometimes even the same range, as line infantry. They also aren't much faster. Given that the idea is to shoot and scoot, I think this hurts their utility a lot. Plus, you actually have to research the "light infantry doctrine," which is just a fancy term for a skirmishing formation. Which is older than firearms. I think most skirmishers could use a range of 90.

They still have their uses though. They generally have a smaller unit size, which means you can deploy them in ranks of two while still being maneuverable. They also have better accuracy in general, so you can use them to flank engaged line infantry and get some enfilade fire on 'em. I like to use Rangers in defensive positions if I can hide them.

I somewhat agree - the early light inf. is kind of hard to use as skirmishers, since their range is so close to that of line infantry... But then again, at this early stage, their advantage is probably less range rather than the fact they can hide almost anywhere and all fire at once, so if you micromanage a lot, I suppose you could get them to volley, run away, re-hide out of range, reload and volley again when the line comes closer... Assuming the line didn't run after them. Or there happens to be cavalry anywhere near :/

So, yeah, kinda hard to figure out any decent strategery for them. I usually start them hidden somewhere on the expected path of the enemy, fire at will off, and check their hidden icon. The second they're spotted, toggle FAW, and I make them run like hell behind my lines once they've unloaded. After that, I mostly forget about them and use them as reserves where needed. When/if the AI sends cav after them during the retreat, two things can happen :
1) I hid them too far away from my lines, cavalry rolls right over the poor suckers, and that sucks ; or
2) cavalry reaches them just inside of line infantry range. And they die very, very fast in a hail of lead. And that is sa-weet.

However, late game light infantry apparently gets a whopping 125 range, almost double that of line infantry. Can't wait to get my hands on those. They look like they have the same cheese potential as longbows did

[PBI]

However, late game light infantry apparently gets a whopping 125 range, almost double that of line infantry. Can't wait to get my hands on those. They look like they have the same cheese potential as longbows did

Actually I find them tricky to use effectively. The huge range is nice, but they take forever to reload, so I find they can generally only get off one volley before the enemy are upon them. Additionally the AI knows not to muck about in a shootout with them, and will just charge straight at them. I find them useful as bait to draw enemies onto my line infantry, but not all that deadly in their own right.

The exception seems to be the Austrian Windbuschejaegers, who reload even faster than line infantry.

EDIT: The other exception, of course, being offensive sieges, where you can do some highly cheesy sniping at the enemy units inside a breach.

[Fiddling_nero]

Reload times get a lot better as you get experience.