There you are on the front line and you hear a [KA-CHUNK] right by your ear hole. What you didn’t know is that there is an archer right above your shoulder taking opponents out.
Let them know you’re there! Support tactics and communication
Communication is key for several reasons. After a recent event where we ran through exercises and discussed tactics, one thing was very clearly important: communication.
This can be as simple as alerting the line you are advancing up. The trifecta of death IMO is 1,2,3 (1 being the front): Shield (sword and board), Polearm, and Archer. But in this case the Polearm and Archer can be interchangeable. Lets go with the One-Two punch. Shield and Archer.
As you advance to the line let your shield/line know you’re there. They have one job and that is to stay alive, but if they know you’re there they can try to keep you alive as well. Deflecting opponent archers and poles.
Additionally if there happens to be an opponent on the line that is particularly hard to deal with, such as a Knight, Commander, or Crown, they can call out, and thereby give you leave to take them out.
A big part of teamwork is knowing what assets are in play and how to best utilize them. If your team knows an archer is there to help it can make their job easier. Just as when a shield dies, and ‘fill in!’ is called.
We all have our jobs: communicate effectively, and thereby win.
If you are like me, a combat archer who loves to be in the thick of it, then take a second and let me share what Ive learned in these few years.
The intention is to show the differences in CA tactics and provide some tips. More focus on front line engagement (R2)
fig. 1
Let’s go over some situations that present themselves here. We have green and red team. Please note that the G1 is hanging back, while R2 is behind the shield line.
Defense
The benefit of being in the front line here is clear. You get to stand behind someone who can actively help protect you. Though their first priority is usually to protect themselves and hold the line, they can help you as well.
Once R2 moves up to this position, communicate. Let the shield line know you are there. They can actively call enemy missiles as well as deflect. Once there, when you reload, keep your eyes on the field, and duck down. This will allow you to reload safely and not get plucked off by opponent archers or poles.
G1 does not enjoy the benefit of cover. Though you have distance on your side, you may think some bolts or arrows may not reach you, but you are ripe for the picking. The opposition will still see and fear your missiles however. sometimes you don’t have a clear shot, stay locked and loaded and pointed at the foe, you will keep their heads down and still help the team. If the opponent line make a push you wont get trampled but your shots are not as effective as in the rush, an opponent may not even register your hit. It may be a good idea to wait until the line settles a little, then pluck off any remaining opponents.
Offense
Call your shots and let your team know you are there! It never hurts to tell your team you are firing. Not only does it assist your team, but the opposition will also hear this and get distracted because the archer may be pointing an arrow at their face. Additionally, if your line is having a hard time with a specific person, they may want you to take them out. Always identify your warlords and battle hardened friends, they know who the key opponents are.
R1, listen to your team. If a polearm wants to step in to fill the line, take a step back and play a more support role. Polearms are very effective at keeping the shield line back with a constant threat whereas with CAs there are the reload down times to contend with.
If you are G1, work with another archer if possible. Alternate fire so you are not caught unloaded by a stray opponent.
Also keep a thrown weapon on you. A dagger will fit nicely into your quiver or belt and can be used again and again if once you’ve shot, you are getting rushed by a ‘heavy’.
And when on the front line, take your time, and make every shot count. If you go ‘Machine Gun Kelly’ and have a 30% kill ratio, you’ll then have to reload more often and disrupt the lines. Keeping your bow leveled on the enemy keeps their heads down and distracted. Let the poles take them out as well!
If you are like me and enjoy shooting people in armored scenarios, then listen up! I have a proposal for you.
One of the time honored traditions when going against an archer is: wait until they shoot then run them down!
Its a good tactic which forces some considerations on our part. Staggering our shots, making sure we are accompanied by a shield, etc. But what if we are left all alone to our devices? What if two polemen spy you, and decide one of them WILL kill you?!
We have options!
Here, CATCH!
Carry some throwing weapons*! take two throwing axes with you on the field! After you shoot, another combatant may advance with impunity, but when you reach behind and produce a throwing axe, watch in glee as their eyes widen. have a care to not engage in melee, it is a throwing weapon only! Remember you cannot engage in melee unless you discard your bow in a safe manner. Which brings me to the next option…
Come out swinging!
When I initially thought about doing CA, my dream was to have two swords on me as well. I love to shoot, but if necessary I could grab the swords and swing my way to happy town. But then I discovered that you must safely dispose of your bow*. The specifics of this rule may vary slightly from Kingdom to Kingdom, but for me and my crossbow, it means getting it off the field into a safe zone. There is additionally the issue of demi vs full gauntlets. This needn’t be an issue if you can get your hands on (pun intended) fully articulated or otherwise dextrous gauntlets. Just wear full all the time!
Missile combatants should be the Scouts of the field. Be ready at all times and be willing to help an enemy cross the street to Valhalla whenever the opportunity presents itself!
I have yet to find resellers of thrown weapons, or sources for construction. If you find any, please post in the comments below!
