This has arisen out of re-fighting some of the battles of the Scottish Wars of Independence (eg Dupplin Moor, Homildon Hill, Neville's Cross etc.) during which Scottish forces were decimated by archery from the English longbows. This has been difficult to reproduce during MeG as if the schiltron front ranks were upgraded to Protected, hence white dice, which only have a 1:3 chance of a wound per shot. Typically this only results in loss of a couple of spearmen prior to combat - very different from the historical outcome.
My understanding is that longbowmen (and probably other massed archers) tended to fire upwards (typically a 45 to 60 degree angle) such that the arrows 'rained down' on the target. In these scenarios, The majority of the arrows would fall upon 'rear' ranks , which were Unprotected; increasing the potential casualty rate significantly, (to 1:3 wound plus 1:6 kill). My understanding is that such tactics are not permitted within the rules, as the target is the 'nearest' rank.
Is there, or should there be an option for firing into the majority protection type, (unless being charged or 'too close') to simulate this.
This is actually much more complex than it first appears.
Shooting is not only about casualties but also about the morale effect.
The angle of shooting is about range, not about deliberately getting arrows to "rain down". I don't believe archers deliberately shot at an angle to get arrows to "rain down", I think that might be a wargaming or possibly movie myth.
At long range, drag will reduce the force of the arrow (gravity on the way down counters this but gravity also reduces the force of the arrow as it climbs). Such shooting is not "aimed" and ammunition restrictions tend to discourage shooting at longer ranges. Wind will also increase drag and reduce the force of the arrow (as well as affecting where it lands).
The Scots defeats at Dupplin Muir, Halidon Hill and Homildon Hill all occurred when the Scots marched into withering crossfires. The Scots at Neville's Cross were also outflanked and then enfiladed.
If you can get around the flanks then the unprotected ranks become a valid target. The English also had a habit of falling back in front of the Scots. If you can do this you may get lucky and shoot away at least one base from the front rank, exposing an unprotected target. Green dice can then really do the damage. Remember at more than 1 BW you don't have to shoot at the nearest file, only the nearest rank within the file you choose to shoot at.
Richard
MeG can be a tough game for infantry shooters unless you are a skilled shooter or in some kind of mixed formation. Has been discussed before, it is a deliberate design decision.
Martin
Quote from: lionheartrjc on May 08, 2020, 11:47:53 AM
This is actually much more complex than it first appears.
Shooting is not only about casualties but also about the morale effect.
The angle of shooting is about range, not about deliberately getting arrows to "rain down". I don't believe archers deliberately shot at an angle to get arrows to "rain down", I think that might be a wargaming or possibly movie myth.
At long range, drag will reduce the force of the arrow (gravity on the way down counters this but gravity also reduces the force of the arrow as it climbs). Such shooting is not "aimed" and ammunition restrictions tend to discourage shooting at longer ranges. Wind will also increase drag and reduce the force of the arrow (as well as affecting where it lands).
There in an increasing few that long range shooting was actually quite limited and that most was done at ranges where the shooting would be flat and direct as this has the best chance of getting through armour - ammunition supply is also a factor, you want to get maximum effect from the ammunition you have.
If the English longbows were skilled, would you not then get a more historical result?
You'd be on green dice.
They sat behind stakes and on hills for a reason against decent cavalry ....
S
Quote from: stuuk on May 14, 2020, 09:26:58 PM
If the English longbows were skilled, would you not then get a more historical result?
You'd be on green dice.
The very famous english longbowmen ...yes the suoper skilled superior melee expert of the day 8)
Now they are mainly famous because of 3 battles, Crécy in 1346, Poitier in 1356 and Azincourt in 1415 . Some 3 battles in 70 years ! and mostly won because of french command failures ( mostly command structure failures and arrgogance ). Longbows were powerull indeed but when caught in the open, the longbowman died ( with his boots on ? ) . Hence position, terrain was of importance . And in some armies you get up to 12 skilled LB ..;good enough