To Archer or not to Archer

[Stray952]

I always pick up archer as one of my first combat skills and max it out considering how much of the early game is dictated by archery.

Is this a waste? I started to realize that once I have my own Fian's, my personal skill doesn't really matter. I took solace in the idea that I was still boosting their abilities with my captain skills, but then I realized .... I can just get a companion for that and save myself 5 focus points, as long as I can tough it out through the early game.

What you guys think?

[kristianjakob]

If you are not going to use it, then yeah its waste. You can get through early without it.

Archery is still the king of levelling though.

[ShadowFox]

My current game I am going dedicated spearman which has been interesting. I also usually get some sort of ranged thing earlier but to be honest it will mostly just be during sieges and I can always use a siege weapon or rocks instead

[Morkonan]

Originally posted by Stray952:

..
What you guys think?

The most popular player-build in the Mount&Blade Universe is "Horse Archer."

Want to level up quick? Horse Archer.
Want to get max kills on the battlefield? Horse Archer.
Want to finish sieges without a scratch? Horse Archer.
Want to be the best trader you can be? Horse Archer.
Want to lead a huge army into battle? Horse Archer.
Want to win your lady true-love? Horse Archer.

It's settled.

Real Butterlords specialize in two-hand Wooden Mallet...

PS: Don't spec into HA... Just try something different. Sure, grab a bow for Sieges and get sort of proficient with it so you can clear a small space around a ladder or something. You'll want to have a bow to goad defensive enemies into breaking formation or charging in battle scenes, too. But, beyond that, go with something more... manliest than being a horse archer. Plus - You may find that being in the thick of battle is more fun than plinking headshots from the very edge of it. Your choice, your gameplay, though. :)

[Action Man]

What it comes down to is fun. If you really enjoy the pew pew, then pew pew to your heart's content.

If you're feeling bored with it, try something new. If you don't like it, try something else.

[ShadowFox]

Originally posted by Action Man:

What it comes down to is fun. If you really enjoy the pew pew, then pew pew to your heart's content.

If you're feeling bored with it, try something new. If you don't like it, try something else.

Best comment :)

[Gamer de esquerda]

Archer is really good to headshot some enemies, since it's quite easy.

But as you level up the archer skill (I don't bother much with it) does the number of arrows increase? Because in field battles and siege attack battles, I run out of arrows quite quick, especially if the battle is big.

[Stray952]

Originally posted by Gamer de esquerda:

Archer is really good to headshot some enemies, since it's quite easy.

But as you level up the archer skill (I don't bother much with it) does the number of arrows increase? Because in field battles and siege attack battles, I run out of arrows quite quick, especially if the battle is big.

The arrow stacks get a little bigger, but not really. You can find arrows pretty much anywhere arrows are being shot, so I've never had a problem with it

[Grizzly]

the highest XP your character can get is from kills, so as long as you still try to get that kill numbers high each fight its good. otherwise not really

[Oddball]

I'm rather enjoying running peons over with my charging horse... can't get the hang of archery or think I want to. Have sword/shield for arena fights, where I just cake them all now for easy loot (even if I get stuck with a javelin/bow match, just switch to sword and whack-whack).

[lurkathon]

I'll shoot or throw things early on with a weak party. Later it's just so much fun to delegate command and ride around skewering plebs with a polearm, or hunting the enemy lord for a melee battle on horseback

[Mr. No]

Fians=boring.

[fink]

horse archer is a strong player build but let's not ignore the most OP player build possible. That being mounted with a glaive. In terms of kills per minute, nothing can compete with a long reaching, slashing polearm while riding an armoured warhorse.

[Gergin]

The most fun I've had with Bannerlord is playing full melee infantry armies and being a ground pounder myself.
I primarily use a spear but carry a 1-H for tight quarters. With proper skills and armor choice, you should be able to manage distance against any enemy.

Horse archery might level you quickly, but you know what else levels you really fast? Skewering cavalry as a spearman. You get tons of experience for killing cavalry while on foot and just fighting on foot in general. You might not get as much per kill as archery but you're also making way more attacks and once geared and leveled, you can kill A LOT of people. It's easy to walk out of field battles with a couple dozen kills or sieges with well over 100. Spears can attack fast and one hit kill almost any target on a headshot.

Largely though, the game is just a lot more fun as an infantry. You have to manage your troops well and understand when to have your troops charge, hold position, shield wall, etc.

[󠀡󠀡]

Originally posted by Stray952:

I always pick up archer as one of my first combat skills and max it out considering how much of the early game is dictated by archery.

Is this a waste? I started to realize that once I have my own Fian's, my personal skill doesn't really matter. I took solace in the idea that I was still boosting their abilities with my captain skills, but then I realized .... I can just get a companion for that and save myself 5 focus points, as long as I can tough it out through the early game.

What you guys think?

To archer.

[Cantung]

I dunno. Do you like the thud of a bodkin penetrating a human skull?
If not... Then don't go Archer much.