Combat Archery Tactics
Combat archery is like any other martial art; it requires skill, practice, and a mean streak a mile wide. You have to be willing to stand out in sun and cold, while seemingly being put down and ignored; the whole while realizing you'll probably have a higher kill ratio than most Dukes. You will learn that one of the best compliments you will get as a combat archer is someone from the opposing side yelling, �Would someone kill that *@!~ing archer?� Above all else remember one thing, we are Atlantia, we do one thing best above all else� RUN!!!!
*Be flexible, everything can change from minute to minute. While we plan to do x, y, then z; no plan has ever survived combat intact.
*Never stay in one spot for too long. If the opposing army figures out where you're standing, they will start aiming for you. Or they'll just send several heavies out to kill you. Also, if they know where you're firing from, they'll just throw up a wall of shields to block your shots.
*Remember, combat arrows will drop due to the weight of the head, plan for it. If you aim for someone's head, you'll probably hit center of mass.
*Controlling your breathing: some say exhale and fire, others say inhale and fire. Just as long as you aren�t breathing at the same time as you fire. It makes your arrow tip move up and down.
*When firing at a moving target, try to aim slightly in front of the target so they walk into your shot.
*Don't try to get fancy with your shooting. The more difficult shots such as headshots, look really cool, but ultimately dead is what you're after.
*The normal scenarios are field, fort/castle/town, bridge, and woods/ravine. There are also resurrection versions of all of the above.
+Field battles usually require large, wide-open spaces with a lot of running. You tend to use fewer arrows in these scenarios. Archers also tend to die rather quickly during field battles. For this type of battle find a heavy to run with. Just remember if a heavy gets too close you can always yield.
+Fort/castle/town battles usually involve a physical structure either real or implied by hay bales. There's normally walls and windows or doors. You can fire through doors or windows but not walls. Likewise, heavies can strike at you through a window, but not a wall. For this type of battle you'll want to hang out in a window, but try to stay away from the door. Being the only entryway into a building, standing in the doorway increases your chances of getting squished like a bug. If you're on the outside trying to get in, then treat it like a field battle with obstacles. Just remember that while the obstacles may protect you from having to call a shot, it doesn't mean you won't feel the shot.
*When reloading during a fort battle, get yourself in the habit of ducking behind something while loading. Doing this helps to keep you from being killed while distracted.
+Bridge battles simulate fighting on a bridge without the danger of actually falling off the bridge. Most bridge battles consist of two rows of hay bales or wood planks that form the sides of the bridge. The best places for archers during bridge battles are at the end of the bridge where the "land" is or right up front, around the second row back so you can fire over the heads of the shield wall. Be aware that being up front puts you at risk for getting squished if your opponents decide to charge. Many times bridge battles won't have combat archery.
+Woods/ ravine battles are pretty much as the name states. The battle is either held in the middle of the woods or in a ravine. These types of battles are interesting because the variety in topography and interference from trees and other plant life. The downside to a woods battle is you have a greater risk of a leg injury, such as a twisted ankle or knee. Also, it's harder to find your arrows because of leaves and other debris on the ground.
+Resurrection versions of the above scenarios throw in the extra twists of higher arrow usage and longer, more drawn out battles. Conserve your energy and your arrows during res battles. Don�t go for �showy� shots make each one count. Unlike heavies, when you run out of arrows, you�re dead, end of story.
*Get your own armor and equipment. You want stuff that's made for you and the way you move. You also want to have your own equipment so you won't have to depend on someone else. This will also allow you to learn the quirks of your equipment. Learn to make your own arrows also. You won't have to wait on someone else to make and ship new arrows plus you'll learn how to repair your own arrows between battles.
*Learn the rules for your kingdom on combat archery. In fact, memorize them and keep yourself up to date on changes. When you go to an event in another kingdom, read their rules before you go. They may be so different that it wouldn't make any sense to change everything you have.
+Legal targets for combat archery are an inch above the knees and up, an inch above the wrists and up, torso, throat, and just the face itself as measured from top of the eyebrows on down and the outer edge of each eyebrow inward. This means if you shoot someone in the forehead they have the right not to call it.
*Remember this is a game, if you shot someone and they don't call it, it doesn't mean they're being unchivalrous. Often heavies can't tell the difference between an arrow shot and someone bumping into them, especially if they didn't see the arrow striking them. First try making eye contact with the heavy and tell them (usually through gestures) that you just shot them and if it�s good or not. If they shrug it off, just go find someone else to shoot; there are always more targets.
*If you're in a situation where a heavy might run you over or fall on you, avoid this if at all possible. They're bigger than you are, weigh more than you do, and have more armor than you do. You do the math, who do you think will lose?
*If a heavy is chasing you, there's no shame in running. What works best is to quickly find someone you know is on your side and run straight at them. If the person chasing you is stupid enough to keep chasing you straight into your teammate, it�s his or her own death.
*You may also choose to yield if a heavy is chasing you. If you choose this option, raise your bow over your head and yell (don�t speak), �I�m dead�.