Winning With Archers

[zedeyejoe]

In playing the Gallic campaign, I noticed that 3 units of archers were able to rout single enemy units without them even getting to contact.

So in my next round of playing Legion Arena (as Romans under Hard setting). I thought I would see if I could get the same result and indeed it works. The firepower of 3 units of archers can stop enemy attacks in their tracks. Another handy use of archers is to get enemy units occupying a position to come and attack you. I have 3 units of archers coming towards the end of the Roman campaign and they are all on level 27 or higher. They usually pick up 4,000 - 6,000 experience points a battle.

Now don't get me wrong. You still need good infantry to stop massed heavy infantry attacks and archers are no good in timed attacks. But for battles with no time limit and where you are looking to lose as few soldiers as possible, the archer is your friend.

[venividivici]

An interesting find. Personally I am always wary of employing archers, particularly in late period battles where the battle line can be very extended. They are easily wiped out if the opposing side has heavy cavalry with good missile protection. I have enough trouble preventing enemy cavalry from enveloping my skirmishers and velites who can usually put up a good fight. If heavy cavalry get near your archers in a large battle where you are concentrating elsewhere they are dead men for sure. I prefer to save up in the late campaign and go for more praetorians and triarii who can cope with pretty much any troop type and defend themselves well.

[zedeyejoe]

Just come off the Roman campaign set at hardest level. I used 4 units of archers and amassed 1,111,945 fame.

I think you get more fame if you kill the enemy without them killing you - and of course archers do this nicely.

Two archer units made it up to 34 experience level, one to 33 and the other to 27.

Its interesting, when you get to around experience level 27, you get the Bow of Ulessyes to issue, more range harder hitting. Then there comes the standard of someone else. Turns each archer unit into a mini-general inspiring the troops around them.

Any other special items people have found?

[sum1won]

Achilles armor, which increases several cavalry stats, espeially defensive ones. Teutonic Horses, which increase agility and trample. Samartian armor, which increases armor hugely, increases trample, and lowers agility.

Dacian Falx (master concuss), which gives +20 concussion damage, -10 to hit.

Banner of Ajax, which increases morale and makes a ring of "leadership"

[okiotheman]

Achilles armor, which increases several cavalry stats, espeially defensive ones. Teutonic Horses, which increase agility and trample. Samartian armor, which increases armor hugely, increases trample, and lowers agility.

Dacian Falx (master concuss), which gives +20 concussion damage, -10 to hit.

Banner of Ajax, which increases morale and makes a ring of "leadership"

Interesting that you should bring up these elite upgrades. I saw them, wanted them, but could not afford them.
Would have been great to have them as a bonus if you did exceptionally well on a scenario. No cost that is. Maybe I need to do the entire campaign on the Very Hard setting and obtain them then.
Really is a challenging game playing as the Romans on the Hard setting. Probably will be neigh impossible on the highest setting.

[zedeyejoe]

No the hardest setting can be done but does take effort. Make regular saves and if you find you have the wrong units for the job, go back to the saved list and buy the right stuff.

I went for an archer based army but good heavy infantry should do the same job.

I fancy some really good heavy cavalry.