Actually, my only beef about missile fire in MW is that missile units that are not the target of a charge can't get a shot in at an incoming charger, in support of another unit that is the target of that charge. This sort of opportunity fire is the only point for short-range missile units such as regular bows and slings. It's true, that I've had the occasional miracle where a cheap and lousy bow unit shoots a knight to pieces when it itself is the target of the charge. However, the main point of these units is to support other units, be they knights or spears. Usually they don't get much of an opportunity.

The reason why this seems like a game structure issue is that spear units or cav with organic archers DO get to fire when they're the target of a charge. So now we end up with armies that are able to make mixed units having a distinct advantage over those who can't. It also shows how artificial the system of units is compared to actual use on the battlefield. Thought we can't always know how each archer and spearmen was deployed, certainly they would be deployed in a way that archers could fire at a charger, even if they're just passing by.

The solution is to permit archers with defend orders or no orders to fire during the charge phase. If they've an advance, reform, etc, they can't. Also, being more generous about mixing units is another way to approach it. Certainly either one is fine for home games.

[Ed. Due to some inquiries, I've done up some more examples of play for MW/AW. These are along the same format at the 'tactics' article. So far, I have worked on Fire and Flee; Mounted Breakthrough; Ambushes and Off-Table Flank Marchers. Are there any other areas that might need work?

By the way, in response to Alex's support fire email, there is a limited amount of support fire already allowed. IF the charging/moving into contact enemy unit has a rear rank not considered to be fighting in the close combat and that is in arc of your missile units AFTER all movement is concluded it can be fired at.

This rear rank is then considered and Eligible Target by any friendly missile unit that has stands in arc and capable of bringing fire to bear during the Missile Fire Phase.]