Javelin throwing units

[Jack_Trowell]

If only units with "guard commander" orders would fire when ennemies are in range ...

[Actuarian]

In my experience the hold and attack with javelins does work so long as the enemy attacks right away and your javelin troops aren't too far back.

My main problem with javelins is that they are not very accurate and tend to hit your own troops. My pet peeve with shooters is when they continue to fire at very long range and kill your own troops after the enemy army is routed.

[Jack_Trowell]

try using units with good armor and/or shields as your main force. Units with 10+ armor and equippend with shield won't take much damage from ranged attacks.

I usually have the heaviest infantry I can recruit set to hold and attack in the front, with fast units flanking set to hold and attack rearmost (or sometimes attack archers)

I often script my own archers to fire archers, as ennemy's archers or others ranged units are more likely to have less armor, or to have mages near them that a lucky arrow could kill. And while my archers fire at the opponent's, they don't fire into the melee.