How to use mortar in battle

[ndefontenay]

Hi.

I've had 4 units of mortars and 7 units of infantry to walk on Munich. It was my first use of mortars and I was delighted to see that their range is far and beyond the fortification walls.

Little did I know that it's extremely innacurate! So I had my troops marching to the wall and all of the sudden I had my mortars shooting a rain of explosive shells all other the place. They were "aiming" for the flag in the centre...

Thus comes the question: What is the proper way of using mortars? It seems really useful only with a huge army walking towards you. It's more of a weapon of mass destruction as opposed to the more tactical hit from the howitzer.

Any experience with this?

thanks

Nico

[MortenJessen]

Hi there.
Mortars are only usefull when either attacking or defending fortifications. You sort of got that one right.
But the use of them: Shell the crap out of those defenders for half an hour, or more, before moving on to the attack it self.
As the defender, mortars are (my oppinion) the best chance a defender has to hit enemy artillery bombarding your walls.
Hope this helps.
Y.S.
M. Jessen

[Langer Kerl]

I agree. Use mortars to shell the hell out of your enemy; especially if he is immobile (e.g. he is sitting in a fort). But, well, do not try to shoot units which you already have engaged in battle unless you deem your men fighting there expandable.

I use mortars frequently in my army lineup; two mortars to bombard the enemy while he is advancing/hiding/defending/entering the battlefield and two cannons for close range action. I do usually not use howitzers although they certainly have their advantages (most notably, mobility. Do not bring mortars if you plan to/will be forced to be mobile, otherwise you may have to abandon them).

[ndefontenay]

I've been experimenting with them and there's a nice way to use them.
It's kind of using the stupid AI.

Ok the trick is as follow:

1) The AI doesn't attack if you attacked them on the strategy map. It will move however if you shell
2) The AI doesn't attack at all if they have canon and think they can sort of hide behind them.

Tactic: Place your howitzers and mortars on a hill behind your unit. Putting them on the back of the hill will ensure no canon will hit them. Use any kind of slopes you see to hide your unit for any potential canon. You might have to move them around a bit.

Once this is completed, poor molted metal on them for a while. I've destroyed an army twice my size with very little casualties last night

[Aeohjie]

Use mortars for sieges to soften up the enemy for an attack. Percussion shell is the best choice you can use for the most part. Because of how inaccurate mortars are, expect to wait a while. You may get lucky, you probably won't.

For field battles, use howitzers or cannons.

[ndefontenay]

I've had 4 mortars and 4 howitzers, 5 infantery units, 3 grenadiers, 1 cavalery and 1 general.

They crushed the austrian army who was stuck hiding behind their cannon.

I found cannons give the enemy a serious moral boost and even though they get decimated, they think they can hold the line and wait for a cannon dual until either cannons are shut down.

Problem is: Mortars range are huge! They won't move and got crushed... I think they can have their way in battle on an offensive battle where the AI will just wait