Gunpowder artilery

[... where did it run?]

Yet another annoying question from W.D.I.R

Do you use explosive shots of the bombards like Cannon, Culverin, Basilisk? Or trust on simple ones? For me regular ones seem to work better. Does much more damage then explosive ones. Or it's just me? Maybe explosive shots has some diffrent effect on morale?

And in the same thread: What serpentis can do what let's say culverin can't?

[Rakoua]

I find that regular shots are better against walls, but explosives are better agains units .

In bridge battles regular might be better though.

[CharlesthewiseV]

Not too sure about the explosive shot. I know it is less accurate but I don't know if it does much more damage.

Serpentines however are way more accurate than any other gunpowder artillary. They are like the modern balistas. Unfortunately they are useless against buildings.

[Silverheart]

The Explosive shots cause a little more damage to troops and morale than the regular ones, but I usually don´t use them.
The regular shots may hit the ground and then bounce on, flying through several units and causing more damage over a larger area, and the explosives just explode as soon as they hit the ground, making them less likely to hit.

Serpentines are the ultimate anti-troop Cannons. They have one of the longest ranges of all cannons, are very accurate, and their shots are almost guaranteed to bounce straight through the entire enemy army (aim for the ones in the front for more casualties).
However, they are worthless against buildings.
Also, in order to use them effectively against troops (so that they actually cause a nice amount of casualties), you need to field a LOT of them -an entire Battery of 5 units at the least!

[... where did it run?]

I ussaly use 4 culverins/basilisks. Heh, not all factions has serpentines. Also Serpentines has 36 shots, then regular cannons has 30.

THen explosive shots hits and sends enemy troops into the air, I spotted that most of those troops rises back. Which is annoying.

[Silverheart]

4 units is sufficient. Just make sure they are well protected by long-range missile troops and tough infantry. A complete Battery should also have two units of heavy cavalry for chasing down routers and intercepting enemy cavalry, as well 3-6 units of heavy infantry to be used as storm troops.

I have also noticed the soldiers rising up after being hit by the explosive shots. But the explosive shots affect more soldiers than the regular shots (up to a dozen guys, compared to 2-6 men by the regular shots), injuring them and making them less likely to survive further damage - perhaps a combination of explosive shots and Serpentines would be worth testing...
And, as mentioned, it also decreases their morale more than the regular shots.