Advantages for tight formation over loose in shootout?

[kingtigertank]

Are there any advantages for being tight formation rather than loose in a shootout?

[Rakoua]

Looks less messy when your archers get killed. =PSeriously though, muskets benefit from it if they're fighting other muskets for some reason...

[thursgun]

I'm not sure if this exactly goes like this, but this is my experience anyways:

Tight formation gives you a mediocre defensive stance against missiles (of any kind), the trade off though is you make a more concentrated attack over an enemy's unit. Loose formation does the opposite.

[homefry]

yes, if you outnumber the other army's archer units. if this is the case, then you want as many as your units in the "sweet spot" in terms of having a clear view to see the enemy.

[John Doe]

I put my xbow in front (skirmish off) and melee infantry just behind, I will charge the enemy to meet them just before they reach my missile line. If xbows are in loose formation, my melee will cross their line faster so their charge will be that little bit more efficient. Apart from it, being in a thight formation make you a target easier to shoot at, hitting a mass of body is easier than an individual.