Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: The best place to put your range units

  1. #1

    Default The best place to put your range units

    I'm referring specially to non-mounted range units. In my case I normally put them behind my battle line and I choose their targets ( generally enemy range units ). What do I do once all the enemy range units are gone? If I keep them behind the battle line what I do is charging with my cavalry at the back of the enemy melee units that are clashing with my infatry line. Sometimes when I withdraw the cavalry units from there to go back to rest a while to prepare another charge, some enemy infantry units start to go back as well to chase my cavalry units. And that's the moment I take advantage by shooting those infantry units who want to chase my cavalry or my general as well ( I also use him to charge at the back of the enemy infantry ). I see this as a bait I set up so that my range units have an occasion to shoot some enemy infantry at their back.

    EDIT:
    I'm not claiming that is the best place where to put the range units. I was just describing where I normally put them. And of course one setback of that is that it is kind of uncomfortable to get your range units around the frontline to move them to their sides or in front in order to shoot the enemy units at their back
    Last edited by twgamer20197; June 07, 2021 at 09:50 AM.

  2. #2

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    Sounds like you're already doing a good job holding your ranged infantry in reserve once you hold the advantage in ranged attacks.

    Where I place my ranged units depends on if I'm attacking or defending, but I tend to put them on my wings so they can more easily get into position to fire in the backs of the enemy. I tend to prefer javelins over the other two (I prefer using fast light cavalry in place of slingers or archers), so this works out pretty well.

  3. #3
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
    Content Director Patrician Citizen

    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    12,242

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    It depends on the circumstances for me too, and LuckyPistol made a good point about the kind of ranged units you have.

    I like having skirmishers on the wings if I can, but I usually keep them behind a melee infantry line because they're usually skirmish infantry and I worry about enemy cavalry.

    As twgamer said, one downside of putting skirmishers behind melee infantry is that it takes longer to move them to the wings. Also, when the enemy use skirmishers as their front line, they may be able to shoot at the player's melee front line before your skirmishers get within range.

  4. #4

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    The only skirmishers I put on the front line are slingers to counter what Alwyn mentioned. I normally consider it a rookie move in online play, as unless you've got cream of the crop units (Rhodesians, Elite Archers, etc.), skirmishers firing on the normal frontline unit (large shield or good armor, etc.) aren't going to be too damaging. It's more for putting pressure on your enemy and getting them to move or change position.

  5. #5

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyPistol View Post
    Sounds like you're already doing a good job holding your ranged infantry in reserve once you hold the advantage in ranged attacks.

    Where I place my ranged units depends on if I'm attacking or defending, but I tend to put them on my wings so they can more easily get into position to fire in the backs of the enemy. I tend to prefer javelins over the other two (I prefer using fast light cavalry in place of slingers or archers), so this works out pretty well.

    I would put my range units on the wings only if the enemy has no cavalry. In your case, would you still put your range units on the wings in that case?

    The only skirmishers I put on the front line are slingers to counter what Alwyn mentioned. I normally consider it a rookie move in online play, as unless you've got cream of the crop units (Rhodesians, Elite Archers, etc.), skirmishers firing on the normal frontline unit (large shield or good armor, etc.) aren't going to be too damaging. It's more for putting pressure on your enemy and getting them to move or change position.
    Yes. I got aware of that. Slingers don't cause much damage to heavy enemy infantry such as hoplites or armoured swordsmen especially if you shoot them from their front. Slinger are best used for shooting the heavy infantry units from either their flanks or the rear.
    Last edited by twgamer20197; June 09, 2021 at 03:46 PM.

  6. #6

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    Quote Originally Posted by twgamer20197 View Post
    I would put my range units on the wings only if the enemy has no cavalry. In your case, would you still put your range units on the wings in that case?
    Yes because my own cavalry would be on the wings as well to defend against/deter any threats.

  7. #7

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyPistol View Post
    Yes because my own cavalry would be on the wings as well to defend against/deter any threats.
    In that case you should have heavy cavalry because light cavalry units would lose to heavy enemy cavalry. Or light cavalry units supported by at least a few fast spearmen units

  8. #8

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    I see certain players in youtube if they have their range units behind their battle first line are just lazy to move their archers or slingers or javelin men around the enemy battle line. Even though they win the battle, however they would perform better ( A better battle result: a smaller number of casualties ) if they moved their range units so that they have an ideal angle to shoot.

  9. #9

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    Well a big reason one might not move their ranged units around the battle line to fire into the enemy flanks/rear is that they aren't confident they could micromanage the units well enough as to not leave them open for an enemy counterattack.

    If the enemy is coming towards you, it's a common tactic to let the ranged units pepper the approaching troops. If cavalry is involved, I like to keep my ranged units directly behind a thin front line so that the cavalry eats some missiles while my archers, slingers, etc. are protected.

    When enemy cavalry isn't an issue, I'll probably start my ranged units on the flanks with at least one unit of infantry to escort and screen them across the field to better positioning.

  10. #10

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    I think it's either lack of confidence or laziness. Yes, I like to put my range units on the sides if there is no enemy cavalry unit. Do you think you can still place your range units on the flanks even if the enemy has some cavalry units?

  11. #11

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    It's not a good idea unless there is only one or two units and you can occupy them otherwise with some fast spear units or your own cavalry.

  12. #12
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
    Content Director Patrician Citizen

    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    12,242

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    I've seen experienced players such as Maximus Decimus Meridius on YouTube talking about using ranged units to shoot the enemy on their right (unshielded) side. Do you put more ranged units on the left of your line, so that they have a better chance to fire at the unshielded side of enemy units, or does that not make a difference?

  13. #13

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    catching an arrow or javelin with the shield is just an animation, isn't it? It's just to represent the damage soak of the unit from an attack.

    I know in older titles that the shield is purely cosmetic - as long as the shield value is there, then the shield itself can be on the back and you'll still receive the defense points.

  14. #14

    Default Re: The best place to put your range units

    Oh that's interesting. I'd have to checki it if that makes any difference...

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •