Black Ark Corsairs: Dual Blades or Handbows?

[Huggable Cube]

Hey guys and dolls,

What would you guys say is better as a melee line, Dual Blades or Handbow corsairs? My main ranged infantry will be Darkshards until I can afford Shades (greatweapons).
Is the ranged damage worth it? Or should I focus purely on the melee variety?

[CriticalM@ss]

As Lokhir, handbows are better. As any other DE lord, spears and darkshardes are better. You don't want corsairs unless you are lokhir

[Zane87]

İlk olarak CriticalM@ss tarafından gönderildi:

As Lokhir, handbows are better. As any other DE lord, spears and darkshardes are better. You don't want corsairs unless you are lokhir

This is the most accurate answer. Not really the question but the correct answer nonetheless.

[Xaphnir]

Handbows will deal less damage in melee, but that will usually be made up for the damage they can deal with their missile attack. Both have the same armor and MD, so neither will hold the line longer than the other.

Honestly, though? Neither. The dual blades ones underperform in melee for their cost, even against infantry. You'll be able to get better use out of the handbows, but their range and damage is lacking compared to Darkshards (while costing 25/50 more in base upkeep). And neither will hold the line as long as Dreadspears.

[wpegg]

In my most recent DE campaign I found myself with 4 handbows on top of a 6 darkshard back line and 3 spears (plus various other stuff Malus started with), it worked quite well to put the spears in a kind of checkerboard/shunted forward line one on each flank and one spread thin across the middle with the handbows next, then the darkshards as a pure ranged back line. It was better than having yet more sword infantry I didn't really need and they weren't too bad if they did end up fighting in melee, usually by the time they did the enemy was severely weakened and could be finished off.

I found they sucked at sieges though, their range means they don't have the angle to get over the walls with their shots. Had to shoot over walls with darkshards and climb and then shoot from the walls with the handbows.

[funkmonster7]

Should Lokhir stick with Corsairs in meta? I don't feel like Corsairs are worth all that much once enemies field multiple dragons or something.

[Zane87]

İlk olarak funkmonster7 tarafından gönderildi:

Should Lokhir stick with Corsairs in meta? I don't feel like Corsairs are worth all that much once enemies field multiple dragons or something.

No, once I change my armies to balanced ones I discard the corsairs altogether. for him they are really nice early to midgame but that's the point I slowly disband them.

[funkmonster7]

İlk olarak Zane87 tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak funkmonster7 tarafından gönderildi:

Should Lokhir stick with Corsairs in meta? I don't feel like Corsairs are worth all that much once enemies field multiple dragons or something.

No, once I change my armies to balanced ones I discard the corsairs altogether. for him they are really nice early to midgame but that's the point I slowly disband them.

Damn, this is why I prefer Morathi over any other DE LL (maybe except Rakarth but I haven't played him much). At least her lord trait is useful into the meta, which is 80% of the whole campaign.

[Aleera]

İlk olarak Zane87 tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak CriticalM@ss tarafından gönderildi:

As Lokhir, handbows are better. As any other DE lord, spears and darkshardes are better. You don't want corsairs unless you are lokhir

This is the most accurate answer. Not really the question but the correct answer nonetheless.

Isn't there a Lord name a Delf general can get that doubles Corsair handbow AP and give them more range? So you could get a general with that.

Though the added range to Shades is my preferred name of power.

[Zane87]

İlk olarak Aleera tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Zane87 tarafından gönderildi:

This is the most accurate answer. Not really the question but the correct answer nonetheless.

Isn't there a Lord name a Delf general can get that doubles Corsair handbow AP and give them more range? So you could get a general with that.

Though the added range to Shades is my preferred name of power.

Exactly the last part =P
If cheesing for a specific name of power, it's Shadowdart for shades, not sth else XD

And since in vanilla LL cannot have names of power those Corsairs sadly remain early game units. Good ones there, but outclassed quickly

[Danny Z. Ninja]

Dual Swords; they do better damage and the handbows are mediocre ranged weapons, in range and damage. Better to leave ranged attacks to Darkshards and Shades.

[Fendelphi]

İlk olarak Danny Z. Ninja tarafından gönderildi:

Dual Swords; they do better damage and the handbows are mediocre ranged weapons, in range and damage. Better to leave ranged attacks to Darkshards and Shades.

If we are using that logic, it is better to pick better melee units than Dual Sword Corsairs as well. Like Witch Elves, Executioners or a monster or mounted melee unit. Even basic Bleakswords will be more efficient overall as part of the frontline, for their cost.