How to use Greek Flamethrowers?

[NotYetRegistered]

As the OP states, how to use them? I can't find a good way to use them without them having casualties from melee-fighting. When moved at the sides, usually a reserve attacks them and when in front of the infantry with the archers they don't seem to fire fast enough.

[Supermoler]

Use them like javelinmen, try to avoid melee fights...

They are good to put at the front of army, and when enemy comes close, put them behind then send to sides

[Vampire1016]

Get the enemies units engaged with yours and maneuver the flamethrowers behind the enemy line to deliver the killer blow!

[melkor1861]

arrange your troops in a manipular formation with flamethrowers flanking the gaps

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Spray n' Pray, and watch the Heathen burn Then send your troops charging through the gap and into the rear of the enemy. you can get some pretty quick routs that way

[Silverheart]

I mainly use them in two ways:
1 - The Obvious One.
Place them in front of the infantry and let them wait for the enemy to come close, let them fire and then retreat behind infantry lines (if you send the infantry forward to attack at the same time, it´ll work perfectly). It´s optional to send them forward carefully, a small bit at a time, and attack the enemy indepently of your other troops.
2 - Battery Protection.
I like using "Batteries" (armies that contain large amounts of artillery, and rely primarily on them to do most of the killing), and the Flamethrowers are actually excellent to place in front of trebuchets or onagers for protection, especially with archers on the flanks and some infantry back-up. There, they can hold their ground and fire at all enemies who try to disorganize the Battery.

They also perform well in ambushes, bridge battles and when used indepently, and are sent away from the main battle to harass the enemy from hills and such.
I remember one battle I fought against egyptians, where I sent them up a hill and around the flanks.
The enemy was too busy fighting my cavalry to do something about them, and they took hundreds of infantrymen with them before they were peppered to death by archers.

[ChivalrousKiller]

Problem is, they can't fire before the enemy has almost reached them But the damage they cause really makes it worth it

[Silverheart]

Actually, I´ve only had that problem when they´re charged by cavalry. When the enemy attacks with infantry, they have always been able to send off at least one shot.
I really recommend using them in "Batteries", or likely defensive positions - places where they´re not so likely to get the worst of the worst against them.

[Kabeloko]

If u re trying a offensive tactic with them, the way i see it, there´s 2 ways:

1 use some cheap large infantry in front of them, like byzantine spearmen or peasants, hold the enemy with them and fire...
it will kill some of yours, but u will get repayed if u hit some heavy soldiers from the enemy, like hasham and other expensive ones...

2 the obvious way is to us them as flankers, like the naffatun, in this case u will need the enemy inf line busy, and hold their flanking cav with your own, and then pray to hit a few shots before getting caught in meele... ^^"

honestly, i think they should be used like javelinmen like supermoler said, or defensive units that silverheart mentioned, but its ur call.

sorry my bad english.

[Mr_Kaizer]

I think they're pretty useless in field battles to be honest. At least to me it's more trouble manouvering them around and keeping them safe than it's worth. But as defenders in a siege they're awesome. Put them beside the gate, with some infatry to keep the enemy in place when they enter, and hit the flank of the enemy. Read the "I am Skatarios!" AAR, you'll see just how effective they can be in that role.

[Silverheart]

When used in numbers (4 units or more) they can pack an incredible punch.
I tried recruiting an army like that once, and thye enemy turned to flee right after they opened fire... ^::^