Tests on Projectile Scatter & Experience

[Kolaris8472]

A while back I posted some results from tests on armour upgrades (the conclusion was they provide +2 armour), and in that thread some questions were raised on the effect of projectile scatter and what (if any) effect experience had in reducing it.

These tests aren't nearly as thorough, as they didn't need to be. Rather than figuring out the exact value of an armor upgrade, we're just trying to see whether experience reduces missile scatter.

The setup

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

1000 arrows fired into a stationary target from the starting positions on the Grassy Plains custom map. Sunny weather. Target had 250 soldiers in 1.2, 1.2, 2.4, 2.4 spacing in 8 rows, and had 0 armour and 0 shield. The arrows had 5 attack, and as we learned in the last set of tests, experience does not increase missile damage.

The results

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

0.15 Projectile Accuracy -

0 Chevrons
10, 17, 18, 14, 19, 23, 24, 15, 20, 16 = 17.6

1 Chevron
20, 21, 12, 18, 22, 24, 15, 28, 22, 22 = 20.4

3 Chevrons
28, 22, 33, 18, 27, 18, 14, 21, 25, 17 = 22.3

6 Chevrons
37, 35, 41, 34, 28, 31, 28, 34, 33, 35 = 33.6

9 Chevrons
49, 54, 33, 43, 47, 46, 45, 50, 46, 47 = 46.0

0.10 Projectile Accuracy -

0 Chevrons
26, 29, 30, 24, 22, 23, 23, 32, 23, 28 = 26.0

1 Chevron
25, 32, 32, 31, 36, 47, 30, 38, 30, 25 = 32.6

3 Chevrons
50, 32, 36, 39, 39, 34, 35, 43, 36, 33 = 37.7

6 Chevrons
67, 67, 69, 70, 72, 62, 67, 67, 62, 73 = 67.6

9 Chevrons
100, 103, 82, 93, 94, 75, 82, 87, 93, 91 = 90.0

0.05 Projectile Accuracy -

0 Chevrons
108, 116, 105, 116, 104, 111, 107, 105, 107, 110 = 108.9

1 Chevron
98, 112, 109, 118, 124, 109, 126, 109, 113, 111 = 112.9

3 Chevrons
115, 106, 110, 110, 96, 106, 115, 107, 106, 115 = 108.6

4 Chevrons
120, 105, 110, 103, 106, 116, 147, 134, 126, 118 = 118.5

6 Chevrons
141, 129, 126, 131, 136, 127, 122, 119, 125, 128 = 128.4

9 Chevrons
151, 140, 161, 145, 144, 138, 155, 155, 158, 144 = 149.1

The conclusions

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Experience has a huge effect on projectile scatter, at least at these ranges.

Rather unclear on whether you get a bonus for each Chevron (as with Morale) or for each tier of 3 (as with Melee attack). I ran an extra test at 4 Chevrons in the 0.05 scatter tests to get a bit more data, but you'll have to draw your own conclusions.

I would see no reason Crossbows and Javelins would not benefit, although they may get comparatively less due to their shorter range.

I intent to see if Siege Weapons benefit as well

[Maklodes]

Thank you! This is very interesting info! (TWCenter won't let me rep you though -- says it's been too soon since last time.)

My only quibble

I would see no reason Crossbows and Javelins would not benefit, although they may get comparatively less due to their shorter range. Javelins have shorter range than bows, but crossbows don't -- at least, not systematically. (Short range crossbows and short range bows have the same range (120), and long range crossbows and long range bows also have the same range (160). So crossbows only have shorter range if you compare short range crossbows to long range bows.)

[lampros69]

What in the world is "projectile scatter"?

Edit: Also, omigod, so does full 9 Chevrons actually mean +9 Morale? So elite units with full 9 Chevrons should almost never rout?

Rather unclear on whether you get a bonus for each Chevron (as with Morale) or for each tier of 3 (as with Melee attack). I ran an extra test at 4 Chevrons in the 0.05 scatter tests to get a bit more data, but you'll have to draw your own conclusions.

[RuthlessChubbz]

This would explain why my fully experienced Moors Fari Calvary (in SS 6.4) horse archers are achieving more kills than my recently created units. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Kolaris8472]

Thank you! This is very interesting info! (TWCenter won't let me rep you though -- says it's been too soon since last time.)

My only quibble

Javelins have shorter range than bows, but crossbows don't -- at least, not systematically. (Short range crossbows and short range bows have the same range (120), and long range crossbows and long range bows also have the same range (160). So crossbows only have shorter range if you compare short range crossbows to long range bows.)

You're right, I have my mindset on mods where that isn't the case but in vanilla it's all similar. The point being accuracy, obviously, becomes less of an issue at shorter ranges.

What in the world is "projectile scatter"?

Essentially, accuracy. It refers to the distance from the target the projectile can fall. A large number means it can fall in a large circle around the target (thus being very inaccurate), or a small number means the shot lands in a tighter circle and is more accurate.

[Emperor of The Great Unknown]

Great find!

I did a similar test with mortars and towers, and the results were inconclusive in my experience, but I may require a re test.

[Point Blank]

Exp has an effect on accuracy but not damage, correct.

[mystang89]

I've been curious about catapults and things like that too. I figured they'd work the same way though.