I have just begun playing a new Burmese army, and have begun to notice that a significant percentage (unsure what the number is, but a lot) of troops with Shoot and Charge are also unskilled shooters. It does not take Einstein to figure out that unskilled shooting is nearly worthless, and an extra black die on the charge doesn't add much.
This likely sounds like moaning about the 'Best Spearmen' in the list being utter crap. That is what got me wondering, but I know that my research into that army is based on limited sources in English. I am certain those who classified my poor Burmese foot did so on sufficient evidence. What I really wonder is whether the unskilled shooter/shoot and charge combo is the result of some sort of design goal. Is this intended to produce troops that are a teensie bit better than Short Spear alone, but not good enough to get lances or pila? Or do we really think that these troops (like Gallic cavalry, for example) were basically javelin armed shooters who just sucked at their job?
WHat is being modeled here? It's jarring to see, as one does, Superior/noble/bodyguard troops classified as unskilled in one of their primary functions.
Quote from: AntiokosIII on March 26, 2019, 05:59:26 PM
I have just begun playing a new Burmese army, and have begun to notice that a significant percentage (unsure what the number is, but a lot) of troops with Shoot and Charge are also unskilled shooters. It does not take Einstein to figure out that unskilled shooting is nearly worthless, and an extra black die on the charge doesn't add much.
Don't knock it. Its a cheap addition that can generate the odd extra would that could just tip the balance, and if chasing somebody who is skirmishing/running awayits a 1 in 3 of getting something towards a slow which can result in an enemy being caught - which in itself can affect their choice of which to do and maybe their moves prior as they take it into account.
As to what it represents, I think it covers a whole load of different things and I'd rather not guess at a generalisation.