[MR] WoW Observations from a CA

[Siegfried]

> Secondly, I’m just tossing out some ideas here for discussion to hopefully help us fight better against Combat Archers (CA) in the future, and to make our CA work better with the rest of the Atlantian Army. I am relatively new to CA (only 2 years) with most of my experience from fighting sword and board (over 20 years), so I hope you more experienced combat archers will jump in here with some suggestions. If we all work together we can make the Atlantian Army even better and stronger!

Wolfram, you have made some very apt observations, and ones that mirror
much of the information I've shared when giving classes on CA tactics
(which are also anti-CA tactics)

You are correct, that one of the best defenses against Combat Archery,
is a tight line of shields.  When Combat Archery is on the field, the
idea of a skirmish line of spears in FRONT of the shields, an otherwise
semi-common tactic, falls short, since an unprotected spear, is an easy
target for a combat archer.  As it's been said, rock/paper/scissors in
the SCA can also be shield/spear/CA

Having well trained shieldman, who understand to keep an eye on archers,
and keep covered up, will not only rarely be killed (nigh, even
targetted) by combat archers, but by extension protect everyone behind them.

The second most important thing (actually, perhaps the most important
thing) when facing serious combat archery on the opposing side - is to
have your units understand one extremely important word:  "CHARGE"  (Or
PRESS for that matter)

As long as the armies are pressing together, in a scrum, combat archery
is effectively eliminated.  Not only because it's hard for the combat
archers to be in that press and get a clean shot off.  But simply
because given the press, the chances of an arrow hitting true and solid,
and being detected by the opposing fighter, are GREATLY reduced.

The worst thing you can do w/ combat archery on the field (Unless you
have superior forces of Combat Archery - Is to sit back and play a
waiting game.  That is just giving the other side all the time they need
to pick you off one-by-one.

AS to some of your other points:

* Xbow vs Bows in the 2nd line

Yes, Bows can operate just fine in the 2nd line of battle.  In fact, as
a primarily crossbow user, I'm often envious of the bowman's ability to
do so.  You see, as a crossbow shooter, you stand mostly 'square'
usually, and you have to be careful of the limbs of your xbow, making
sure you have room for them, and that you don't 'ping' someone in the
back of the head with a limb when firing, which not only is annoying to
them, but messes up your shot.

Therefore, as a crossbowman, I need 'extra' room in the 2nd line.  I
can't just find a narrow gap and slide-in.   On the other hand, a bowman
has a much slimmer profile, with vertical bow, and standing sideways
when shooting.  I therefore often see them slide between two people on a
second line, and pop off a shot.

For this reason, I'm often actually on the 3rd line, firing over the
shoulders of the 2nd line warriors, and between the helms of the 1st
line, as I feel that works best for my style.

* Tactics/Units/etc

You make a good point, about working w/ a 2shield-spear-bow team.  That
works very well in a skirmish environment.  In a static line, it tends
to work best instead for the archers to 'float' behind the line, finding
the best points to do the most damage.

But that also brings up another point.  There are often, IMO, two best
uses of an archer in said situations.  And it typically comes down to
the archer correctly identifying their own skill level, and commanders
understanding that as well.

Which is basically, that the higher skilled archers, can be deadly
effective as 'aimed archers'.  Floating solo, knowing instinctively the
best targets and best place for them to be, at that time.  Allowing
these archers to do that, is greatly effective.   On the flip side,
taking the 'less skilled' archers, who aren't as good at the "Kill him,
BAM.  Kill her, BAM" game, and having them work as a unit, laying down
harassing fire, can stop an opposing unit in their tracks, and keep them
from charging/pressing.  Or if aimed at the opposing archers, keep their
heads down and less effective.   Even if this crew gets very little
kills, due to firing into 'not-easy-to-kill' scenarios, they can be an
effective battle changer.

In my opinion, the most effective use of combat archery, is combining
these two tactics.  Mass harassing fire, and 'aimed death', by
appropriate combatants.

This translates also into your extended triad situation, if not on a
static line.  It's just weather it's a triad (quad) of 'aimed death'.
Or a larger unit (3 shields, 3-5 archers) who lay down harassing fire.

In Service,
Siegfried - Baron Highland Foorde