Topic: Archers skirmish vs open order.

[Footpatrol2]

Is there any reason why you would want your archers to be in open order over skirmish? One thing I can think of is it will allow more models to volley fire and be a little easier on range. Any other reason?

Also can you volley in skirmish or do models block line of sight?

[PowerSeries]

Probably skirmishers as you can easily enough get two ranks to shoot with a bit more frontage.  If you really wanted a large unit I guess open order would be better but I think the small flexible skirmishing screens are more popular

[Warlord]

Just about options rather than restrictions I think.
Skirmish is better.

[Minsc]

Is there any reason why you would want your archers to be in open order over skirmish? One thing I can think of is it will allow more models to volley fire and be a little easier on range. Any other reason?

Open Order can get +2 CR from ranks as well.

Skirmish is generally better most of the time, but Open Order isn't completely pointless.

[Rodman49]

If you want to do marching column (with or without steed of shadows shenanigans) then Open Order is the only way.

There is a bigger tradeoff with fast cav because Cav have higher than US1 so don't inflict the minus one to hit penalty.