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This is just an idea I had floating around in my head. In the movies, ranked formations of Archers have the ability to shoot over the heads of those standing in front of them, yet in Warhammer they fire in only 1 rank. I was thinking that Bows (Long, short and other) should be able to fire in two ranks. This would also serve to make the S3 bows more useful in this T4 world.

Yes, historically, archers fired in a much more arc-like fashion.

But as the rulebook points out, some facets of realism are sacrificed for gameplay.

Also, note that missile troops firing from an elevated position DO fire in two ranks.

Older High Elf Archers had this ability with the Citizens Levy Rule. Then they took it away, and left them the same price. :(

Ive seen this discussed before, it seems that realisticly in a unit of archers the whole unit should be able to fire, perhaps only 2 ranks for hanguns etc. (like the 'first rank fire second rank fire' IG order) though this may make arches too expencive and not good for 1000pts or less games. Someone even suggested to use templates to work out who is hit, more like a volley of arrows you see.
Any other thoughts??

I could see the extra rank shooting being allowed if somehow having a shield added a +2 to the save in that instance instead of the usual +1. That way you wouldn`t need the template and it wouldn't be a total unit killer. The amount of kills would probabaly end up being the same, but there would always be that chance. As for Handguns, I think the rules are alright at the moment. A gunline Empire or Dwarf army would be practically unbeatable if they could fire from 2 ranks. Plus the guys in the back are reloading their muskets.

Hi all.
Perhaps the option to let a bow armed unit to fire an 'arrow barrage', 10+ archers fire a 3" dia barrage , 20+ archers fore a 5" barrage.
Indirect fire, guess range always scatters D6 ".(Str 3)
Might be a solution?
'Direct fire' for bows is actualy fine as is.IMO.

TTFN
Lanrak.