Marching speed VS arrows?

[SirRobin]

I have been wondering if my troops will take less casualties while marching in formation against the enemt, as compared to running?

It might be that the tropps will use their shield better while marching in orderly fashion .. ?

[Stolet]

Dunno about this, but a good thing to do is change direction often, when under archer fire. The AI also does this and dodges a pretty large number of arrows. If you march the archers see that and when they shoot the arrows they target where they think you will be. If you change your direction at that moment, they waste a volley of arrows.

[JusTheory]

I haven't witness units being able to dodge arrow fire well. I wouldn't be surprised if they 'homed' in. I've seen HAs running at full speed still get peppered with arrow fire. Maybe the engine mechanics already dictate arrow damage when fired?

[Mithrane]

I haven't witness units being able to dodge arrow fire well. I wouldn't be surprised if they 'homed' in. I've seen HAs running at full speed still get peppered with arrow fire. Maybe the engine mechanics already dictate arrow damage when fired?

Nope. All damage is animation based. The arrows actually have to hit the animated character. The location they hit determines what damage modifiers are applied (shield, horse, back, etc).

As to the questions of the OP.... If you run, you will be in their line of fire for a significantly shorter period of time, thus reducing the number of volleys you take, thus reducing your total casualties. With units with the shield wall special ability, you can turn this on and march at regular speed and have significantly reduced arrow-based casualties, as they interlock shields and block a great many of them, assuming the arrows are not coming at an oblique angle.

The idea of changing direction constantly has little practicle merit against multiple archer units as they will be firing at different times, thus always being able to adjust to your "new" movements. Further, by zig-zaging your way up the battlefield, you use up a greater amount of stamina and keep yourself in the line of fire for longer. This CAN work in certain situations, though. Cities, for example, do well with this method because of the buildings blocking the shots.

One strategy that works, though, is to march / charge at an oblique angle to the archers, keeping your unit's shields facing the archers at all times. You essentially cross the line of battle to the other flank. This can also confuse the AI as it will now see a significant increase in the strength on one flank and react hastily to reposition, thus putting themselves into a disorganized state, perfect for cavalry charges.

[Loki_999]

Well, if you have a unit with shield wall then i presume it is better to walk if active as you maintain your formation (i think) and therefore the defense. Otherwise, for most units i would say run as fast as you can.

[SirRobin]

I never saw any units with shield wall formation ..

[Loki_999]

I never saw any units with shield wall formation ..

TATW has it, Rome had it, and SS apparently has it. I think you are right though, there are no units in vanilla that have it....

[SirRobin]

In Rome, I think the formation was only found in the Barbarian Invasion expansion.. and it was buggy so that's probably why they took it out.

Eh.. because they don't like to have bugs in their game

[Imperial_Scribe]

To me it seemed highly situational, but it tends to be worth the effort to charge whatever assaulted unit at the bowmen, and if skirmish is enabled and they run away, bring them to a march. When the archers stop to begin firing again, charge the soldiers again. Ideally, its best to start the charge right at the pause when they're about to start reloading their arrows. Hopefully by the time they're setting off arrows, your already on them. If not, be prepared to do it again. Hopefully you have another unit, preferably light cavalry, coming from the side. If not, it'll probably be a battle of who gets most winded first.

Or you know, use archers right back. Archer duels are a fine sight ^.^