How do you play 1866??

[wale999]

I was curious about how you play 1866.
It is a mod were firearms have an extense role, I started using rifles with a sword, but mainly the sword (I guess I was used to play native), however recently I stopped using melee weapons, and now I use a Remington and a Spencer.... great combo 

Im curious, does any one use lances........ or bows???
That would be brave...

 

[Tiberius]

Rifle and pistol, because getting close to the enemy when all of them have guns isn't very healthy.

 

[Hannibalbarca]

Rifle and sword. Most of the time the enemy doesn't have the chance to engage in melee but I keep the sword just in case.

 

[Shrugging Khan]

If you have top-end skills (and adequate aim), the bow actually become superior to most, if not all guns. Lances are still useful, but they've been toned down so AI lancers are no longer quite as dangerous, and it probably takes a specialised companion or player character to take them back to their former glory.

And well, it's still Mount & Blade, so there's nothing more efficient than just that. A mount and a blade 

 

[Percival Goodenough]

I try and keep it as it was meant (though I am not immune to cheese) so dismounted long guns for the troops to thin the advance, then the cavalry mount up and finish them off with cold steel

 

[Shrugging Khan]

After some testing, this is the intermediate conclusion I feel coming up:

After early game, in which you'll have to make do with what you get, and therefore in mid-game, you'll be best off giving your companions horses (for mobility and survivability) and high-accuracy rifles so they can actually hit things. Add to that a sabre for every mounted man, and you have a solid escort for yourself, who should ideally be using a repeater to maximise the player advantage over AI. Any non-combat companions you have you might want to arm with shotguns, since those aren't as reliant on skills and proficiencies.
In late-game, when your companions build up reasonable proficiencies, you may consider switching their single-shot rifles to repeaters, to capitalise on their abilities.
If you choose, for whatever reason, to not use horses, then I suggest going for repeaters for everyone right away, since having to reload is what usually kills infantry.

And if you just want to have fun, rather than, say, win: Give as many explosives as possible to everyone except yourself, grab a rifle and watch the fireworks while popping heads everywhere 

 

[Lord Benrir]

In one of my favourite-savegames I play with a doubble eight gauge and a sawn-off shotgun. With this combo I could travel aound on my own and still hunt down bands of deserters*, but I earned very little experience though...

*especialy near mexican settlements...

EDIT: As you may not know(though you probably do), the doubble eight gauge can't be used on horseback, so I have to play as infantry, but that just makes it even more funny/exciting.

 

[alabaman]

I use a gun + sabre + dynamite.

Why wasn't this an option?

 

[Shrugging Khan]

Argh, overlooked the poll.

Other: I travel with a huge box full of guns, melee weapons, explosives and horses, and switch depending on what the next battle will predictably be like.

 

[mouthnhoof]

I tend to switch weapons frequently and it also depends on the character I play.
The "standard gear" for skirmishes on the map is: Pistol (no ammo), rifle, melee. The pistol is for duels and if you want a quick shot when the rifles needs to be reloaded.
Sometimes I reverse the pistol and rifle: Winchester (no ammo), pistol, melee. The winchester comes with 13-15 bullets, which is plenty for a few sniping shots from afar, while the pistols does most of the work from short range.
For a melee weapon, the crowbar is a good alternative to the saber, but I changes its damage to blunt (pierce didn't seem right). Reach is just adequate for mounted use, while other weapons are too short.

For some reason I do not equip two rifles. Doesn't seem proper.

 

[Shrugging Khan]

For some reason I do not equip two rifles. Doesn't seem proper.

Must be because only one shows on the character, whereas a pistol is carried separately from the rifle on the back 

 

[Tiberius]

Where do I find sabres? The only thing I seem to find in stores or as loot are knives and machetes.

 

[alabaman]

Where do I find sabres? The only thing I seem to find in stores or as loot are knives and machetes.

American cavalry has sabres. Try attacking them.

 

[insomniac]

they are sold in markets, keep looking

 

[FLaviator]

Pistol, Rifle, one ammo each.

Or. Rifle, 2 ammunition, Large bag of black powder Bundle.


Never melee weapons, i'll die before I resort to such primitive tactics 

 

[Tiberius]

Where do I find sabres? The only thing I seem to find in stores or as loot are knives and machetes.

American cavalry has sabres. Try attacking them.

Ehhh, maybe once I get a few more troops. And more looting skill too.

they are sold in markets, keep looking

Alright.

 

[Amroth]

I have a pistol, a horse, two stacks of ammo, my officers sword and my trust companions by my side when I ride into battle.

 

[Austupaio]

Two Flintlock pistols, ammunition and an Eaglehead Sabre.

I have my Mexican soldiers kill most of the enemy with volley after volley, then personally duel anyone who survives.

 

[Jean Plassy]

You mean you have two Aston pistols? There are no flintlock pistols in this game.

Myself I like to be a lone rider. I hide behind a cactucs, blast everyone with a repeater, then when they come close with a revolver.

 

[Austupaio]

Flintlock, Percussion cap, don't know what they are. Yes, the Aston. The larger, wooden pistol.