Integrated artillery

[Konrad von Richtmark]

My first game was a Prussia game where I would decide battles through shock, breaking through the enemy line with grenadiers at the middle and then roll up the flanks. Worked neatly, so for my 2nd game I thought I'd do the diametrically opposite and win battles through superior firepower.

I've now fought almost all of my major battles using the integrated artillery formation for my line infantry and cannons, grouping together 5 infantry and 4 artillery units in an alternating inf-art-inf-art-inf-art-inf-art-inf line, with the rest of the line infantry either guarding the flanks of the line or making up a reserve.

I figured that integrating the artillery into the frontline would maximize my chances to blast grapeshot in the face of the enemy, while still providing the artillery with reasonable protection. At times the result is wondrous, with loads of enemies getting blasted away by the combination of musketry and grapeshot. At other times, though, enemy cavalry simply runs right at the cannons, and manages to get through the musketry in large enough numbers to make sure that the artillerymen are a-goners by the time the adjacent infantry gets in with bayonets.

Do you find the integrated artillery line worth it? What is the solution to keeping the artillery alive? Is it worth it to, if you see a cavalry attack coming, hold fire with the artillery to be able to blast a single volley of grapeshot into the cavalry at point blank range?

[coman]

Check this post out; the short answer is, yes and no. Your best option is to move an infantry square into the way of the approaching cavalry, reserve your fire, break the charge, pull the infantry back and shower the horse with shot or canister.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=238963

[KipDynamite]

If nothing else, it looks cool.

[Loiro]

To defend your artillery, Id simply suggest putting up anti cavalry defences right infront of the artillery positions, either the defensive regular barrier or the stakes the light inf has. Other than that, keep infantry reserve directly behind you artillery to charge if a melee fight begins. And if you sense a charge, holding your fire and release canister shot in their face is always valid.

And also, read http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...ve+the+cannons for tips.