Archers shooting invisible arrows

**PaleBlueDot** · January 11, 2011, 01:56 PM

When my Ruthenian Archers waits for the enemy to come within range, and as the white bow symbol appears on the unit card, they start yelling and shooting into the air as expected. However, no arrows are sent out, and no enemy is hit. One or two volleys later however, actual arrows are shot and enemies lie dead.

This might well be happening to other achers but I havent noticed it. It really sucks as I love to zoom in on archers before they start shooting, see the arrows leave then pause and zoom in on the enemy being hit.

So, whats up? My guess is that the range of the archers has been reduced in SS 6.3, but the archers are still programed to shoot the same distance, or maybe it has been extended and but they dont shoot until the enemy is within the old range. Or maybe something else.

I think I have seen the same in English archers when fire arrows is on, but in this case I'm just using normal arrows.

Is there any way to fix it?

**SirRobin** · January 11, 2011, 02:12 PM

I never saw it happen (6.2)

Anyway, I have a different theory about why it happens. Perhaps it's because the archers start to fire at one unit, but then change their mind and target another.

Just like with crossbows, once the soldiers start on the firing animation, they must go through it before they can do anything else. this often leads to crossbowmen "firing dry" before answering a move order, for example.

**RC-1136** · January 11, 2011, 02:23 PM

I have a similar problem and it seems to be linked to unapproachable rocky ground. Placed on or behind this ground shooters exhaust while shooting no arrows/bolts/whatever at all.

**PaleBlueDot** · January 11, 2011, 02:17 PM

I don't think thats the reason. The animation lasts many seconds. When in the heat of battle, I make them change target all the time, and they do go through with their last operation, including the shooting of visible arrows.

It probably should be mentioned that they seem to do this when the enemy is outside of range (the pointer/arrow is red). Once they are in reach (arrow is green) I think they pretty much shoot real arrows. And their range is pretty short for being long range missile units, pretty much the same as lithuanian archers who just have normal/short range. But I might be wrong about just that.

**PaleBlueDot** · January 11, 2011, 02:26 PM

I haven't thought of that, but when you mention it, I have only used these archers in custom test battles while defending very steep slopes. Thats probably it then? Any solution?

**Sogesu** · January 11, 2011, 02:41 PM

I saw it several times in the old version 6.3 when use Mongol to attack Byzantine archering rebels.

**PaleBlueDot** · January 11, 2011, 03:33 PM

Maybe it is the dreaded stealth NIGHT ARROWS? http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=24528 (Hollywood myths about Archery. Scroll down to the night arrow bit lol)

**k/t** · January 11, 2011, 03:41 PM

I've seen this happen a few times with archers. I don't remember the specifics.

"Anyway, I have a different theory about why it happens."

No, you don't. You have a hypothesis.

**PerXX** · January 11, 2011, 10:17 PM

Yeah, this does seem to be an issue sometimes with long range missile troops placed in high mountainous locations. Guess the game somehow miscalculates their actual range, and starts the firing-animation before the enemy is actually within range.

**SirRobin** · January 12, 2011, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by k/t

I've seen this happen a few times with archers. I don't remember the specifics.

"Anyway, I have a different theory about why it happens."

No, you don't. You have a hypothesis.

Please allow me to correct your correction:

Theory

–noun, plural -ries.

1. a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity.

2. a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.

3. Mathematics . a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject: number theory.

4. the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory.

5. a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it; a system of rules or principles.

6. contemplation or speculation.

7. guess or conjecture.

.

**PaleBlueDot** · January 12, 2011, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by SirRobin

Please allow me to correct your correction:

Theory

–noun, plural -ries.

1. a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity.

2. a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.

3. Mathematics . a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject: number theory.

4. the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory.

5. a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it; a system of rules or principles.

6. contemplation or speculation.

7. guess or conjecture.

.

If you ask any over-religious Americans or their sources, such as the Fox News or Conservopedia, a theory is ONLY 6, contemplation or speculation. As in: Evolution is ONLY a theory!
(Lets hope they feel the same about the theory of gravity, then just float the

away)

**Abyrvalg** · January 11, 2011, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by PaleBlueDot

So, whats up? My guess is that the range of the archers has been reduced in SS 6.3, but the archers are still programed to shoot the same distance, or maybe it has been extended and but they dont shoot until the enemy is within the old range. Or maybe something else.

I saw it in 6.1 and in TATW as well.
Something with animation, me thinks. Or angles of fire for archers. Or both.
Usually with next volley real shooting begins.

**Rakoua** · January 12, 2011, 09:38 AM

Seen it happen to crossbows in Vanilla. While defending a small stone fort (I think it was Britannia). Poor guys got tired without actually firing a single arrow.

**PaleBlueDot** · January 12, 2011, 12:16 PM

Some times just one or a handful of arrows are released during these initial volleys.

I guess this is a bug no one will be able to fix?

**merocaine** · January 12, 2011, 12:28 PM

This might well be happening to other achers but I havent noticed it. It really sucks as I love to zoom in on archers before they start shooting, see the arrows leave then pause and zoom in on the enemy being hit.

Its the little things that make this game worth it.

**Lord Humungus** · January 12, 2011, 01:16 PM

It happens all the time when archers try to shoot at maximum available distance. First volley is "invisible" (only animation, no actual arrows), after that everything will go normal.

**k/t** · January 12, 2011, 01:43 PM

Guess = hypothesis.
Pretty much true as far as we can tell at this point = theory.

Precision is important, and dictionaries aren't always right. Usans and Americans are different things, just as yellows and Asians are different things.