Shooting circle?

**Gnostiko** · January 09, 2009, 07:33 AM

I'd like to know what use it is, both in-game and historically.

I'd imagine in-game it gives some kind of defense boost at the cost of stamina taking a hit.

IRL, however, I can't seem to fathom what use it would be.

Please enlighten me

**Byg** · January 09, 2009, 07:36 AM

I think they are supposed to be harder to hit as they are moving.

**Navajo Joe** · January 09, 2009, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by Gnostiko

I'd like to know what use it is, both in-game and historically.

I'd imagine in-game it gives some kind of defense boost at the cost of stamina taking a hit.

IRL, however, I can't seem to fathom what use it would be.

Please enlighten me

Do you mean like using Missile Cavarly, when you get them to circle and unload arrows or javelins?
If so, I find them useful to harrass the flanks of the enemy and cause some casualties in the process. I also find that it can draw them out of position, particularly cavarly who will attempt to chase them from the field and expend alot of their energy.
Historically, I don't know, it makes senses to circulate and keep moving, more difficult to hit a moving target and avoids you keeping your back to the enemy for so long

**Stephan de St. Omer** · January 09, 2009, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Gnostiko

I'd like to know what use it is, both in-game and historically.

I'd imagine in-game it gives some kind of defense boost at the cost of stamina taking a hit.

IRL, however, I can't seem to fathom what use it would be.

Please enlighten me

Gnostiko,

historically I don't know exactly but I know that the American Indians used such a form of attack if I remember correctly. In-game-wise I cannot say if it is of any use, because my impression is that they fire less than normal, get easier hit by enemy archers (I have seen half the circle come dorwn at one crossbow volley!) BUT it looks good, so it might be some kind of Travolta-thing like Saturday Night Shooting Circle - a lot of movement but little satisfaction!

**ConquerAll** · January 09, 2009, 10:19 AM

Sorry, I know it's Wikipedia, but for a lack of a better source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantabrian_circle

**Stephan de St. Omer** · January 09, 2009, 10:31 AM

[quote=ConquerAll;4246257]Sorry, I know it's Wikipedia, but for a lack of a better source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantabrian_circle[/quote]

Well met, better than anything posted before! + rep!

**Earende** · January 09, 2009, 10:45 AM

I find it pretty useless in-game and for real life - above wiki explanation - rather weird and useless.

'The maneuver was designed to harass and taunt the enemy forces' - Can't you do that without moving as well? And to use against infantry with their speed difference; isn't that obvious? Since when did any type of infantry outrun horses?

**Gnostiko** · January 09, 2009, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Earende

...and for real life - above wiki explanation - rather weird and useless...

Seconded, hence my asking here. I can't see the logic of it, it's like javelin infantry running in circles. If the shooting circle were to encompass the enemy army...it would make sense, otherwise, it seems a quick way to wear out one's troops.

**Navajo Joe** · January 09, 2009, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Earende

I find it pretty useless in-game and for real life - above wiki explanation - rather weird and useless.

'The maneuver was designed to harass and taunt the enemy forces' - Can't you do that without moving as well? And to use against infantry with their speed difference; isn't that obvious? Since when did any type of infantry outrun horses?

Providing a circle of fire is an extremely valuable way of keeping your enemy pinned down as the Romans found against the Parthians. I found this on the Net:

'Crassus could see the light cavalry, but Surena, who was personally commanding the cataphract, had his equine tanks in hiding. Galloping wildly, the Parthian light cavalry circled the Roman troops and fired ruthlessly into their ranks. Playing a suicidal waiting game, Crassus believed the Parthians would run out of arrows before he ran out of troops, but that was before he spotted Surena riding out of the woods with his heavy cavalry'.

As can be seen the Parthians held their foe, then they rode over them with their Heavy Cavarly. Jolly effective strategy I think you will agree.

**Earende** · January 09, 2009, 12:46 PM

Then for mounted range against heavy cavalry, and the key advantage would be them being lighter, faster and constantly on the move to avoid any close contact with their heavy enemy, but in that case any formation will do as long as it avoids engaging the enemy (Not to mention they'll outrun heavys anyway), so why circle? Charge, shoot, retreat, shoot, wasn't that what the mongols did?

**Mythlacar** · January 09, 2009, 03:35 PM

No real historical basis for saying this, but I always thought it was for

A) Avoiding missle fire, I would rather try to shoot something thats immobile, shooting a light speedy horse and avoiding incoming fire would be a pain.

B) Improves mobility against a counter charge. Horses cant exactly whip around on a dime from a standing position, so if the guys you're shooting at start charging forward suddenly, you would have to abandon firing to turn around, even if you could get the horse to turn tail without halting fire, it'd still take longer than if the horse had a full head of steam and could just wheel around. Also I think firing at the enmy while sitting on a horse facing away from the enemy would be a pain in the arse.