Missile Units (2)

Learn how to effectively use missile units in Total War: Rome II. Discover their strengths, weaknesses, and crucial roles in both offense and defense during sieges.

Alright, let's talk about missile units in Total War: Rome II. These guys are super important, and understanding how to use them makes a huge difference, especially when you're facing off against big blobs of enemy infantry. Their main gig? Attacking from a distance, which is a massive advantage.

Think of it this way: when your infantry is clashing head-on, your missile units can just rain down death from afar, softening up the enemy before they even get close. Plus, they've got fire arrows! These are a lifesaver against those pesky elephants and chariots that can wreck your lines. Don't underestimate the power of a well-placed volley of fire arrows to disrupt a cavalry charge or scatter a unit of war elephants.

Missile units really shine during sieges. When you're attacking, you can position them on the town square and just hammer the enemy defenders without them being able to do much back. On defense? They're invaluable. You can have your spearmen holding the walls, and your missile troops firing down from the ramparts or inside the city, picking off attackers. This means you're not solely relying on your spearmen to do all the work.

Now, here's the flip side, and it's a big one: missile units are made of paper. Seriously, they can't take a hit. If the enemy gets into close combat with them, they're toast in seconds. This is where the classic 'rock-paper-scissors' analogy comes in. Missile units are the paper, and cavalry? They're the scissors. Cavalry units are specifically designed to counter missile troops – they're faster and excel in close combat, so they'll slice through your archers like butter if they get too close.

Another thing to watch out for is friendly fire. It's super easy to accidentally light up your own troops with arrows, especially if they're clumped up near the enemy. Keep an eye on your formations and make sure your missile units have clear lines of fire. Their biggest weakness is their inability to handle themselves in a brawl, and that's a pretty major drawback when you've got fast cavalry units that can close the distance in a heartbeat.