Game Mechanics - Land Battles - Artillery | Land Battles Empire: TW Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Artillery, more than ever before, have been very important on the eighteenth-century battlefields . Always try to have it in your army (2 or even 3 units).
Demolition of buildings
The destruction of buildings occupied by the enemy troops can be very effective - you can kill many hostile units without any looses in your army. Not always, however, it depends on accuracy of your cannons.
Try, as soon as possible, to change Sakers and Demi-Cannons to artillery that can move on the battlefield using a horse-drown cart. With mobile artillery, it is possible to drive up to the occupied building. And the closer you are to the target, the more accurate are your shots.
Defending against attack
After inventing the technology called Cannister Shot some of your cannons will be able to use ammunition that is perfect to eliminate the enemy infantry. When the opponent is attacking, load the Cannister Shots. However the missile range will be shorter now, but you can kill up to a dozen enemy soldiers for just one shot.
Frightening the enemy
Some units, such as all types of Howitzers, Mortars, and rocket troops (Troop Rocket, Rocket Band) have a powerful range. This means that before the battle, artillery can fire at the enemy for a long time. At a long range it is difficult to have a good accuracy, so cannot eliminate to many enemy soldiers. However you can fear them by a ordinary (not accurate) bombardment.
For this type of bombardment you can use ammunition that is designed to be effective against infantry such as Explosive Shells, Carcass Shot, Quicklime Shells and Shrapnel Shot.
Protection of the artillery
Sometimes, artillery is left without any protection - all infantry and cavalry is focused on the fight, and cannons are left alone. I recommend to keep 1 or 2 infantry units armed with bayonets near your artillery. It is in case your opponent will come up with an idea to attack your artillerists with his cavalry. In the case of the horsemen attack it makes no sense to use Cannister Shots - you do not have time to turn cannons and load them with proper ammunition.
Deployment of cannons
For some types of artillery there is no difference from which position it is shooting (for example Puckle guns). Sometimes, however, your army can refuse to fire. This can happen when some obstacles (nearby trees, etc.) are between your troops and the enemy army (this is often a problem for the rocket troops). You can help your artillery by deploying it on a hill.