Skirmishers

[sandoval]

How do you use skirmishers?

I freed some high levelled skirmishers, but I don't know what to do with them. They are infantry by default. I assume that they don't fit into a shieldwall, which I mostly use. Any ideas?

 

[Ivan Khan]

How do you use skirmishers?

I freed some high levelled skirmishers, but I don't know what to do with them. They are infantry by default. I assume that they don't fit into a shieldwall, which I mostly use. Any ideas?

Hmm, use them to skirmish.

If you check there equipment some can be infantry in a shieldwall. And, many infantry can be used to skirmisher, particularly the medium ones. The big difference is SKRM troops normally have a higher throwing proficiency, and are often not guaranteed armor.

When my army is small I tend to put them in with infantry. When I have a bigger army I sometimes give them their own group (or two) and either put them on the side or behind the main line.

You can also use them to draw the enemy into your line. I.E. Move close to the enemy in a good defensive position, but out of range. Put your skirmishers in front, spread them out, advance them within range, let them fire, retreat to main line. with luck the enemy breaks and chases them.


EDIT: It is the IRISH Skirmishers which have the increased throwing proficiency.

 

[Phoenix VII]

I'd recommend switching their tags to archers and using them in sieges to soften up the enemy defenses while the infantry head in. If your skirmishers are the Deaisbards then they're very good at throwing their javelins from afar and can melee light and medium infantry as well.

I think they're too valuable to risk on field battles until you've got 20-30 of them, but they're faster than heavier infantry so you can use them to attack the enemy flank (preferably the right since the shields face the left) after the infantry engages.

 

[sandoval]

Thanks for the answers.

I haven't enough of them to justify a group of their own, and was afraid they would mess up my shieldwall. I added them to the archers, but they are very ineffective in this Group (I'm still only doing field battles). I think I assign them back to the infantry.