arrow or bullet?

[Zvornik]

When I say gunners, I don't mean the actual handgunners, I mean any unit that uses a rifle/bullets/gunpowder

Every time I play, I find myself confused on which missile units to recruit, either some good high quality archers or some musketeers. Usually I end up getting the gunpowder units because their ammo lasts a lot longer and they spread fear.

Guns for me!

[jukeness]

It depends what faction you play, but I would prefer gunpowder.

[SulleDodger]

Well, I use both really. Especially as England that's the best thing to do cause of their Longbowmen. But you can't do without that massive Moral-breaking gunpowder neither, so yeah- both.

But if I'd choose one it'd be gunpowder.

[David93]

Arrows, you can just kill so many more
until the late period, then your ed

[Basileus Antiochus]

Gunpower, the smoke is just so much more interesting...

[Liandro]

Arrows, because by the time guns come around, I can still peg off a good number of units with them. Guns I may hit 1-2 people per volley, might even kill one, but none will run and then I end up having to fight with gunners. ... Now cannons on the other hand, all I need is the grand bombard, walls will crash and that's all I need.

[Ichon]

Overall gunpowder is more interesting but arrows are very powerful until late 1300s when there is enough armor the kills go way down. Also flaming arrows are as or more useful than gunpowder weapons. Personally I think most gunpowder should not have morale shock and flaming arrows causing panic seems weird- perhaps only for cavalry.

[Lugiahua]

arrows, because troops sucks defending war with line-of-sight weapons... (only very few soldiers shooting...and can't believe this problem exist even in later TW games.)

[Enarec]

I prefer archers/crossbowmen, as I don't really like gunpowder troops. I prefer the "old" medieval way

Besides, archers/crossbowmen are still pretty useful until the medieval tanks (gendarmes, lancers, etc...) come out.

[meese]

I prefer arrows overall though I've had lots of fun with mounted gunmen.

[Gogolometro]

If you have longbowmans or mourtadoi, of course you will just love the archers. Look at ottoman infantry and their exceptional skills archers and medium infantry.
But if you have pesante archers like venetians have, and you can mix them with pavise crossbow militia things became more than interesting. Add to that pavise handgunners and you will make mashing tomatoes from arlmost any army.
If people recommend english campaing, I will always say venice is for fun.

[Amaranth]

Most of the time I play as England, so that shouldn't be too hard to guess my choice.
But even if not for the faction, I would still vote for the arrow/archers because I don't like the whole gunpowder thingy much.

[The Despondent Mind]

Am i the only guy whose Gunpowder units usually end up in a melee after a few volleys ?

[Gogolometro]

And it looks handgunners are not good at melee? They kill JHI!

[Vespasian92]

Am i the only guy whose Gunpowder units usually end up in a melee after a few volleys ?

No, because you have to put them in the first rank to avoid FF, and they are not made for skirmishing and refuse to withdraw behind the melee infantry. All they are is a hassle, and rather nooby too IMO.

[Fair Prince]

Forget the guns and use only swords and arrows, that's what fair medieval combat is about!

[Akbar]

I prefer fire. Once you go Naffatun, you don´t go back.

[vtec.dominion]

I prefer fire. Once you go Naffatun, you don´t go back.

I have exactly the same opinion Let them come close then yell - burn motherf*****s, burn! Great fun to see all these so called "godly" units like lancers die in seconds and mass route hahaha.

On topic: Archers, no contest.

[Marcvs Antonivs]

I only use archers because I never reach the gunpowder event eheh... Dunno if it is worth to have gunpowder in your army.

[Erunion Telcontar]

Mixed fire is best fire .
My favorite armies use a pike wall with guns in front, arrows behind, cav on the sides. (Perfected with Latin Handgunners, Menalautoi, Mourtatoi, Latin Crossbows and the ever-wonderful Scholarii)
While unstoppable might be a bit inaccurate, it's very, very close.