How to use the Turkish Naffatun

[smoak]

Hi

I started a campaign with the Turks and I'm around turn 100. I conquered the whole Middle East and eliminated factions Egypt and the Byzantine Empire. I now find myself without an obvious road of expansion, so I decided to go invade the Iberian Peninsula to set up a base for the later qonquest of America.

But before I start building my invasion force I want the know the value of the Naffatun. At first I used them to defend cities, thinking they would send volley after volley of 'grenades' to the enemy, I was wrong. Then I send them in open battle. The enemy army was decimated but it didn't go as smoothly as I thougt.
At the beginning of the battle I placed them in front of my infantry. They could however only fire one volley before I had to dwaw them back behind the infantry lines. They continued firing over the heads but cought some of my men as well.

What am I doing wrong? Or do I just expect too much?

ps; money isn't a problem. With no enemies in the middle east left and an alliance with the Mongols (cost me 30.000) the money is flowing in.

[eggthief]

Maybe it is better to wait till all the soldiers are engaged with each other and then let your nafffatuns go around their back and then throw their stuff.

[Nergal1610]

Hi

There is a discussion of naffatun here and here. They are pretty old though.

I love to wield naffatun in great numbers to diminish the ranks of enemys heavy infantry. First I lock them into combat. Usually with some low-level troops. Then I send naffatun in from the flanks. The sight of enemy infantry burning in a massive fire is satisfying at least. I think though that there are some more practical ways to use them e.g bombard low morale troops with them and charge with something. As the bombs drop morale, the enemy are more prone to rout and run.
Another thing I do with them occurs while attacking. They advance in front of the waiting enemy army and unleash a fiery hell. If the enemy charges, let them. Naffatun are infront of your infantry, probably causing grievous casualties to enemy so every second he ponders to attack is better for you. I don't usually use this if the enemy has a lot of archers.

But if you want an effective army as turks, take JHI, Jmusketeers, artillery and qapukulu. They can shoot the enemy to pieces and yet they have some very effective close combat tricks down their sleeves.

Just some thoughts

[AaronJBC]

Put some not so important infantry on the frontlines and naffatun behind them, you'll take some friendly fire but ultimately it will be positive.

[Problem Sleuth]

Put some not so important infantry on the frontlines and naffatun behind them, you'll take some friendly fire but ultimately it will be positive.

Poor peasants. Nobody loves 'em.

[Roman_Man#3]

Moved to battle planning

[Kratos]

Try to get them behind an enemy unit already engadged. A volley or two will quickly rout them. They CAN be used from behind your own battleline, but that will indeed inflict some friendly casualties.

[ConquerAll]

I know it's a simple tip, but if you haven't already, keep them off skirmish mode and manage their retreats yourself. In my experience, they are not terrible in melee so it's not the end of the world if they engage infantry. Just keep an eye out to ensure they stay away from cavalry.
I normally deploy them on the front lines and as the enemy approaches, I send them out to whittle down the enemy infantry as they advance towards me, gradually bringing them back to my own stationary position.

[Razbojnik]

Use them like u did Head Hurlers in RTW,go around the engaged enmu and punish them...