Longbow Vassals — Elite English Archers
1 | Overview
- Tier / Era: ★★★★ Epic
- Unit type: Heavy long‑range bow infantry
- Unit size: 24 archers
- Leadership: ≈ 245
- Battlefield role: Extreme‑range armor‑piercing archers that pin enemies from safety and rain down arrow storms on cramped objectives.
Longbow Vassals carry 6‑foot yew bows capable of lethal penetration at 110 m, rivaling gunpowder units while retaining the rate‑of‑fire and silence of classic archers. Once planted, their disciplined ranks loose murderous volleys, forcing shield walls to hunker down and cavalry to scatter. Treat them as a precision siege battery: position carefully, screen their flanks, and they will dictate the pace of any prolonged engagement.
2 | Core Traits & Abilities
| Ability / Trait | Mechanics | Practical use |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatch | Continuous aimed fire at designated ground point; maintains tight grouping. | Sustained lane control; whittle shield units advancing through breaches. |
| Cover Commander | Unit focusing units near you | If youre facetaking yourself or in blob fights while unit is safe spot. **It shots EXACTLY around your position (use it while diving specials) |
3 | Strengths
- Longest non‑gunpowder range (110 m) — out‑ranges most bows and matches muskets.
- High armor penetration with bodkin shafts; effective even into Fortes and Reapers.
- Area denial via Fletched Storm on objectives and choke points.
4 | Weaknesses
- Setup dependence — needs 3–4 s stationary for peak accuracy & DPS.
- Low model HP & armor — crumble under AoE, musket scatter or flamers.
5 | Recommended Doctrine
6 | Micro‑Play & Tactics
Standard Firing Loop
- March behind shields to a 90–100 m back‑line patch of high ground.
- Drop Stakes & Rope facing the most likely cavalry approach.
- Activate Area Focus on a fixed ground marker in front of allied front line.
Tips
- Lead targets: ground marker aiming compensates for enemy walking speed; practice offsetting.
- Reposition often: once two volleys fired, step 10 m sideways to dodge incoming artillery.
- If you press 1 anywhere, they will always auto aim (insane good AI) the next viable target
7 | Allies & Threats
Synergies
- Shield walls (Fortes, Palace) hold enemy in arrow lanes.
- Pike brace deters cav that skirts stakes.
Threats
- Any kind of diver or range hero
- Fast dive cav (Hussars) flanking outside stake fan.
8 | Commander Checklist
- Fire two volleys, move two steps; keep artillery guessing.
- Watch ammo: resupply after half quiver (≈ 15 volleys) to keep burst ready.
- Maintain 15+ archers; below that swap to utility zone denial with
- Keep mini‑map open for cav icons; stakes buy seconds, not immunity.
9 | Conclusion
Longbow Vassals embody the English legend of yew‑bow supremacy: given distance, screen and prep time, they dominate lanes with lethal precision. Manage their firing angles, protect their flanks, and they will whittle enemy advances to nothing long before they reach your walls. Neglect positioning or let cavalry bypass stakes, and your proud Vassals collapse in a heartbeat. Command them wisely and watch the kill‑feed fill with feathered shafts.