Is Bolt Thrower ever an optimal choice?

[Lampros]

It seems like the worst artillery in the game?

[It's Clown Time!]

They are basicly budget cannons, good at shooting mounted lords and monsters

[Lampros]

Originally posted by It's Clown Time!:

They are basicly budget cannons, good at shooting mounted lords and monsters

I know; but they don't seem to have a niche where you can continue to use them when canons are available. And even Grudge Throwers seem better in almost all situations.

I am a bit concerned also about High Elves, given that the repeat bolt thrower is their only siege weapons.

[It's Clown Time!]

oh yea in the campaign they arent very useful at all, but in multiplayer it's definetly nice to have some extra points to use on other stuff.

[ArchaicReaper]

Reaper Bolt Throwers fire multiple bolts though, rather than the 1 of the Dwarf Bolt Thrower. With that rate of fire, I'm expecting 3 bolts per fire, I'm not worried about Elven artillery.

[Lampros]

Originally posted by ArchaicReaper:

Reaper Bolt Throwers fire multiple bolts though, rather than the 1 of the Dwarf Bolt Thrower. With that rate of fire, I'm expecting 3 bolts per fire, I'm not worried about Elven artillery.

You can fire normal bolts or multiple bolts at far lower strength. Repeat Bolt Throwers are NOT firing multiple bolts of a Dwarf Bolt Thrower at the same strength.

[ArchaicReaper]

Originally posted by Lampros:

Originally posted by ArchaicReaper:

Reaper Bolt Throwers fire multiple bolts though, rather than the 1 of the Dwarf Bolt Thrower. With that rate of fire, I'm expecting 3 bolts per fire, I'm not worried about Elven artillery.

You can fire normal bolts or multiple bolts at far lower strength. Repeat Bolt Throwers are NOT firing multiple bolts of a Dwarf Bolt Thrower at the same strength.

Of course not, but the variety will be nice to have. I imagine the standard shot will be anti-large like the regular Bolt Thrower while the repeater fire will be anti-infantry. Combined with their powerful magic it should be fine. Not sure if we'll get the Lothern Skycutter though.

[Lampros]

Originally posted by ArchaicReaper:

Not sure if we'll get the Lothern Skycutter though.

I doubt it. Flying bolt throwers would be a balancing nightmare! ;)

[Drakenson]

I think in the Clan Angrund campaign, you can get the Bolt Throwers earlier than the normal Dwarven campaign. Which could come quite handy, considering Skarsnik starts off with an Araknarok Spider, and that Clan Angrund borders WE territory.

Otherwise, it's a budget Cannon like mentioned earlier. Once you get access to Cannons, give your Bolt Throwers to another general or just kick them.

[harleyquinrazer]

When kiting artillery with fast flying units with other factions, I find cannon shots easier to dodge than ballista bolts. Other than that no reason for players choose between them to opt for the bolt thrower in single player unless they're Clan Angrund (who start with them) or on a really tight budge/can't build cannons yet.

[StarofTanuki]

It look like Sniper more than Artillery hahaha .

[Sultschiem]

Originally posted by Lampros:

Originally posted by ArchaicReaper:

Not sure if we'll get the Lothern Skycutter though.

I doubt it. Flying bolt throwers would be a balancing nightmare! ;)

Meh, you just gotta limit the ammunition and its fine, see Eagle Riders.

[RED /(Weber)\]

Ballistas and mortars are good as starting artillery, budget weaponry.

[Chameon]

Originally posted by Sultschiem:

Originally posted by Lampros:

I doubt it. Flying bolt throwers would be a balancing nightmare! ;)

Meh, you just gotta limit the ammunition and its fine, see Eagle Riders.

Hey, or a more recent thing, see Bolt of Kurnous (Arrow of Kurnous?) on Dragon Riding Glade Lords. That thing was a nightmare in multiplayer for a while, but bring the ammo down and the ammount of use drops pretty exponentially.

[drazan]

grudge throwers for infantry blobs

bolt throwers are great for taking out large targets

[Hypnosis]

Price/upkeep makes every unit in the game viable. You can have 1/3rd almost 1/2 more. Especially, when you have more armies. Each additional army increases upkeep.

A real strategist would understand this.