Flaming vs Non-Flaming Arrows Test Results
In an earlier thread I asked for input as to what the differences are between the two arrow types. A lot of folks provided some excellent feeback on how they incorporate the two types into their battle tactics. However, definitive data was still lacking. So I decided to do a little work. I ran some tests using bowman firing flaming and non-flaming arrows against lightly armored and heavily armored units.
The first series of tests pitted a Helmingas unit against an Uruk Reaver unit. I picked the Reaver unit because it has fairly light armor and does not carry a shield. I ran the custom battle and recorded the number of casualties at intervals during the battle. Though I had identified the Uruks as being the defenders, they still charged toward the Helmingas. This was actually a good thing as it showed arrow effectiveness at various ranges. So the greater the elapsed time, the closer the Uruks got. The numbers in the no-flame/flame columns are the cumulative number of casualties. I ran each test three times so the casualty numbers you see here are an average.
Here are the results of the first test against a lightly armored unit.
Elapsed Time........No Flame....Flame
60 sec..........................37............ 41
90 sec..........................77.............67
Contact (~105 sec).....112.............93
In the second test, I wanted to see how the different arrow types performed against armored units. So this time I tested the Helmingas against Uruk Infantry with their heavy armor and shields.
Here are the results of the second test against a heavily armored unit.
Elapsed Time........No Flame....Flame
60 sec..........................9..............16
90 sec.........................17.............25
Contact (~105 sec)......27.............36
Conclusions:
There is a significant difference between the number of casualties inflicted by flaming arrows vs. non-flaming arrows, depending on the armor rating of the target. It is clear that non-flaming arrows are more effective against lightly armored units. The initial advantage of the flaming arrows is probably due to the fact that both types fire their first volley at the same time. After that the increased rate of fire of non-flaming arrows is an advantage.
Neither arrow does particularly well against heavily armored targets, though ultimately flaming arrows will inflict about 25% more casualties than non-flaming arrows.
At no point was the morale of the attacker shaken, with the exception of the no-flame vs. light armor test, in which the Uruks started to waver right after contact.
Obviously different archer types will have different levels of success, against different unit types, but I think this is a good reference for when it is better to use one type of arrow over another.
Further, range matters. Against a lightly armored target, a Helmingas unit firing non-flame arrows has a hit rate of ~37 per minute. At the middle ranges it jumps to ~80 hits per minute, and at point blank range it is ~140 hits per minute. Though it should be noted that in my tests, the Uruks crossed the point blank range zone in about 15 seconds.
(Also note, since The Uruks made contact before the Helmingas could expend all of their arrows ending the test at that point, I was not able to detemine the basic accuracy of each arrow type. So this test only shows a comparison in killing ability between the two types within the span of a 2.5 to 3-minute battle.)
I hope you all find this useful.
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Originally Posted by Toshach
