What is an 'archer'?

[Sombre]

It appears to me it goes after units with the mounted tag. It didn't seem to want to target centaurs, for instance.

[MaxWilson]

Originally Posted by LumenPlacidum

Continuing with the question, if something is set to Fire Cavalry or Fire Archers, then do they fire at the closest group or does it select randomly / based on expected damage?

ISTR (from the manual?) that it picks a random eligible from all those available and then targets its squad. So if there is a squad of 99 cavalry and another squad of 1 cavalry, 99% it will target the squad of 99.

The reason archer decoys work is because if there is a squad of 1 within range and a squad of 99 out of range, it will target the squad of 1 100% of the time instead of moving into range to shoot at the 99.

-Max

[ArkkiMeisseli]

While we're at the issue, I swear to all local Gods that the single troll archer that shows up with Bogus' band has a "shoot commanders" order.

[Frozen Lama]

it does. hellbind heart him and see. its a commonly known exploit

[Calahan]

I believe it's only considered an exploit to copy his orders to other commanders. But grabbing that archer and using his pre-set 'Fire Commnaders' orders just on that one unit is considered ok. At least that's how I've always viewed it. Although never captured him myself in a MP game to even attempt to use him.

[Frozen Lama]

give him an eye of aiming and visions foe or bow of botulf can make that one usit pretty nasty. but i've never seen anyone do it much less do it myself

[Calahan]

Yep, quite a few nice options available if you can get him