Slitherine

How do people tackle english longbow based armies with superior knight armies?

Run? Ive seen this suggested for the longbow armies with stakes. IE dont bother as you will die.

2 english longbow are roughly the same as 1 undrilled superior knight sop can generally assume equal frontage.

expendablecinc wrote:How do people tackle english longbow based armies with superior knight armies?

Run? Ive seen this suggested for the longbow armies with stakes. IE dont bother as you will die.

2 english longbow are roughly the same as 1 undrilled superior knight sop can generally assume equal frontage.

You need to get them in the open and try and flank them or at a push take the shots and you'll beat them in the open with your knights. Its not impossible but takes more planning. I'm sure more experienced players will tell you better plans
Dave

Dismount as they did in reality.

Read this and get really put off

Spartacus wrote:Read this and get really put off

Umm, yeah, well. I've read that. Bernie is a great storyteller of historical fiction, but as far as hard history, he should stick to Wellington's Peninsular campaign., where he really knows his stuff.

Well, I'm no expert to be sure, but I run French and mostly play against a longbow heavy English HYW army. So, sooner or later I'll be an expert.

In the open, one BG of knights vs one BG of longbows with their stakes in... the knights are at a disadvantage. Obviously, depends a bit on number of stands, but that's the generalization.

Generally, then, try to hit him with two BG of knights to his one of longbows. Hit his flank with something.

Make him worry that his toothpicks aren't going to hold. Especially if the longbows are NOT part of a battle line. When I've been successful at this, I've rushed him with good use of my commanders (and second moves). Make him panic and put in his stakes, or even better, keep maneuvering so that he can't put in his stakes. Remember, he can't put them in if any enemy BG is within 6". Doesn't necessarily have to be your knights...

These aren't going to work every time. Just the times I've gotten them to work, that's what's happened. Sure, you could avoid the longbows and their stakes, but if he's a smart player, then avoiding them and hitting something else means you're going to spend time in the longbow range, whether effective or not. There you can't even hit back.

My 2 cents, FWIW... probably about half.
Also, I agree, Bernard Cornwell writes some great books, but as a Medieval French player, I'm avoiding his HYW book like the plague!

Steve B

Rattleshirt wrote: Remember, he can't put them in if any enemy BG is within 6".

He can't pull them up if any enemy BG is within 6". He can put them in.

Oh wow.. major misunderstanding on my opponent's part (heh heh, uhm, yeah.. foot in mouth).... that changes a few things quite a bit. He'll be quite a bit more comfortable I should think.

Thanks RBS, now you've given me the moral dilemma of whether I should direct his attention to this thread...

It would be the honorable thing to do.

Gozerius, indeed.

I told him the basic rundown of the thread... and he's just recently joined the forum as well. Oh well, no more clandestine intelligence/tactics gathering for me.

yeah i am watching your every inquiry and posting!