Archers or Javelins - Which one?

**Vault Dweller** · September 22, 2007, 06:07 AM

So, which one has the potential to be more powerful? Archers can inflict quite a few casualties, but javelins are much stronger against armoured foes, and more often than not, javelin troops can be a deft hand at melee as well. (Illyrians and merc peltasts for example) Personally,I prefer javlin troops. They are available much quicker in campaign, and therefore are more tactically important. I also prefer more realistic battles, as opposed to archers killing an entire unit before they close.

**Ummagumma** · September 22, 2007, 07:56 AM

I think each has it's own strength (obviously).
Archers are weaker, but they have a much greater range - and the effect of flaming missiles on morale can never be underestimated.
Javelins have a much more limited amount of missiles, but what they do have will cause pain to whatever they hit, and are not affected as badly by bad weather.
When fighting lightly armored/poor morale troops, such as the Gauls, archers are my preferred choice. Javelins used against armored hoplites and similar can be devastating from the sides or rear.
I prefer to use flaming arrows, if I have any, against elephants and chariots. With luck and some concentrated fire from a few units will have them running amok long before they can engage with your line.
I try to have a couple of each, for flexibility - the archers nice and safe behind my line and the javelins out on the flanks hoping to circle around and cause some damage.

**LeonidasOfSparta** · September 23, 2007, 03:15 AM

online: archers

sp: javelins

**Kratos** · September 23, 2007, 07:28 AM

Archers- more ammo meaning the can maintain a barrage of missiles for a longer time, lowering the enemy's morale. Flaming arrows are even better at this.

Javelins are stronger, but they run out of ammo too quickly. I don't remember how many javelins each man carries in Vanilla... 3-4?

**LeonidasOfSparta** · September 23, 2007, 07:45 AM

well more then 3-4 i think rofl

**Vault Dweller** · September 23, 2007, 06:26 PM

Well, not really. Legionnares(sp?) carry roughly 2, while peltasts can get off......... Probably around 4-6.

**Ephialtes The Dog** · September 25, 2007, 01:44 PM

It really depends on the situation, but I prefer archers especially cretan archers.

**Wolf-RTG** · October 01, 2007, 07:45 AM

Archers should be preferred ahead of javelins.

1. longer range
2. more ammo
3. cheaper

**LeonidasOfSparta** · October 28, 2007, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Vault Dweller

Well, not really. Legionnares(sp?) carry roughly 2, while peltasts can get off......... Probably around 4-6.

lmao legionaress are not javelins lol!!!

**Cavalier** · October 28, 2007, 05:14 PM

Legionnaries carry 3, Javelinmen usually 6-7.

I prefer Javelins before archers. They can fill in and do battle. Archers are in the way on field battles.

**Vault Dweller** · October 03, 2007, 05:02 AM

Ah, but what happens when they get stuck in the grand melee? Heavy peltasts, say, would slaughter them.

**Wolf-RTG** · November 09, 2007, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Vault Dweller

Ah, but what happens when they get stuck in the grand melee? Heavy peltasts, say, would slaughter them.

Well if you have to use your missle troops on melee than I feel you do not have a good army, I stick by my opinion that archers are better,cause when I ever use a army my missle troops are always protected, and my light infantry and heavy infantry protect them, the reason they have the option to skirmish should indicate something quite clearly to you that they are not meant for melee, and should only be used as a last resort.

**czePowerslave** · October 12, 2007, 04:16 PM

When it comes to this, I prefer to pack them both, Archers to weaken the enemy and keep his archers busy, while javelin units are used to harass main line and when ammo depleted, they make fine reserves in HtH combat

have them both, each has its strengths and weaknesess

**general nuisance** · October 28, 2007, 04:13 PM

In general archers everytime, but in the early stages Illiyan mercs take a lot of beating and I always take some for a german campaign as they can decimate spear warband and are good fighters against other skirmishers and cavalry