Changes to artillery

[vakarr]

The last update made artillery more expensive and in my tournament games the heavy artillery have proved to be mostly useless. I note that there is some limitation on the minus applied for being shot at by artillery mentioned in the update notes. Could somebody explain that limitation please? I've lost every battle in which I used artillery except one (or maybe two if I win one of my current battles). In that one, I shot at auxilia with heavy artillery (sometimes causing 0 casualties) then charged them uphill with warbands. The auxilia all failed their test for being charged by warbands and became disrupted. Does shooting with artillery first, then charging with warbands on the same turn make it more likely that the warbands will disrupt their opponent? So far, light artillery seems more effective than heavy artillery.

[rbodleyscott]

I note that there is some limitation on the minus applied for being shot at by artillery mentioned in the update notes.

It only applies to morale tests for shooting.

Does shooting with artillery first, then charging with warbands on the same turn make it more likely that the warbands will disrupt their opponent?

No

[SnuggleBunnies]

There were gameplay and historical arguments in favor of this nerf; originally heavy artillery was removed from MP Open Battle entirely but that caused other bugs.

Historically, such artillery was generally used in the defense of or assault on defensive positions, not open battle.

Gameplay wise, heavy arty encourages camping, defensive play, and draws, as it is a very hard counter to expensive hard hitting units like cataphracts or elephants. It's not particularly useful against infantry, except to inflict the -1 to CTs already caused by other missile fire.