Elevation DOES help

[Ecthelion]

While being on higher ground does not give you a range bonus, it gives you something more important: line of sight.

Archers do seem to individually aim for individual targets. Try this: have you archers on the reverse side of a slope and run a Yari unit against it. Notice you have very few kills.

Then move the archer to the front side of the slope so that every archer can have a direct line of sight on the yari unit. Then slaughter ensues.

Also, if you have units in front of the archers, it also impedes their aim. I recommend having yari on lose formation two or three ranks deep rather than having them in tight.

Against infantry this works like magic since even no-dachi are halted long enough to take multiple vollies at close range resulting in huge casualties. Works even better with matchlocks.

[Abe86]

Indeed, ranged units get an accuracy bonus on elevated terrain.

[Heartfire]

Hmmm. Interesting.... I am going to go test this.

However it does seem like you aren't necessarily even saying elevation helps, rather than just plain line of sight that can be enhanced by elevation.

Theoretically, couldn't it be possible to get better line of sight if your Yari were at the bottom of the hill, and you placed your bows a good distance further up the hill, allowing them to see the enemy and your troops from a semi birds eye view?

[Xelathur]

Fight with death infront of you ( plains ) and life behind you ( elevated terrain )