Archers

Archers are usually recruited from hunters, shepherds and other outdoorsmen, although some urban militias will train with crossbows. They can inflict damage from a distance, and sometimes signficantly reduce an enemy's morale to a point where they can be easily routed with a sudden charge. Cavalry who ride quickly through a barrage of arrows, or infantry who can protect themselves fron the arrows with their shields, can often get to close quarters without taking significant damage. Some of the troops classified as archers are skirmishers armed with javelins, who carry less ammunition but who are equipped with shields.