effectiveness fire by rank

[warphotographer]

High all matchlock users, got a few questions.

So I was wondering would you prefer an fots-ish formation for your matchlock ashi/samurai or would you get the fire by rank skill and set them to a much tighter formation say 2rank or 3rank deep with the ability?

Historically, Oda Nobunaga in the Battle of Nagashino (if my memory serves me right) first ordered his matchlocks to form 3ranks deep because he found out that its the right amount of time before the front line can fire again so as imitating a machine-gun like barrage. In S2 would you form also form your matchlock ashigs 3 ranks deep or go with the 2 rank deep fire by rank formation so as the first volleys would fire more missiles at once? and will the token skill be also effective on matchlock samurai as first or second skill after level5?

[Thorien Kell]

Two things: Keep your matchlocks vanilla. Keep them spread wide as possible. You're welcome.

[VersionLangley]

I like my matchlock chocolate....You're welcome

[TheCrazyCat]

i like my matchlocks strawberry please.

[Pariya]

This is one of those things where what seems to be historically logical does not actually transfer over into the game well. Fire by rank is not effective in the game because you can spread the unit out to 1 rank deep (almost 1 rank in large unit size) and fire all at once without paying the extra money for fire by rank. Also, when a unit is multiple ranks deep it is more likely that a missile that misses its target in the first rank will find a target in the 2'nd or 3'rd rank and you are thus more susceptible to enemy fire. Also, if you think about it logically that first volley is the most crucial because every man it kills means 1 less bullet coming back at it when the enemy gets its first volley. So, a unit spread thin and firing all at once would do better than a unit with fire by rank. So if you want to play competitively then you should not use fire by rank. The only scenario where i think fire by rank would come in handy would be in a chokepoint where you can't spread any thinner but this would mean you are immobile and forced to stay in the specified area of the map where you can utilize the chokepoint. The best armies are versatile armies that can adapt to all scenarios and in all but that specific and uncommon scenario you would have wasted the money on fire by rank.

You should upgrade your matchlocks one of these ways:

1----
No upgrades

2----
2 upgrades in base reload

3----
2 upgrades in base reload
2 upgrades in base accuracy
1 upgrade in clan extended range

If it is a matchlock ashigaru you can also put a point or two in missile damage but i would not advise it on samurai or monk matchlock units.

Some people swear they get good use out of speed upgrades on matchlocks because they can skirmish away and reform to shoot quicker but i would personally not advise this upgrade as i see it as a waste of funds that would be more effective elsewhere.

[CptAustus]

Rapid fire (or whatever the ability is called) is way superior to fire by rank, just because you usually only have one row of men firing. 2 reload, 2 accuracy, rapid fire and increased range should be a very effective matchlock unit, specially if you get them on an elevated position, where they can fire over the heads of your men.

[Republic Empire]

I think by setting Matchlock units in three lines is prefer for fire by rank and rapid volley. Oda's men in Nagashino were in three ranks that decimated Takeda Cavalry in a machine-gun like fire.

[Thorien Kell]

Little update on fire by rank, ernesto tested high level matchlock unit on my troops and they decimated my 6 chevron no dachi on 50% of men in several seconds. This thing might not be bad at all but ppl dislike taking 9 lvl matchlocks, they are expensive and lvl0 work fine too.

[Republic Empire]

Without fire by rank?

[Thorien Kell]

No, with it, as I've said "Little update on fire by rank"

[Republic Empire]

oh, I see