Experimental Howitzers are a type of howitzer foot artillery in Napoleon: Total War.
Description[]
Howitzers send shells high into the air to plunge onto enemies, making defences and cover less effective.
Howitzers fall somewhere between guns and mortars, the other main artillery types. Like guns, they can be moved, if slowly. They do not fire straight at the target, but lob shots high into the air to plunge down on a target. The charge of powder and the barrel angle can be varied, which means a howitzer can lob missiles over a wall or intervening woods. In close action, they can fire canister rounds directly into enemy formations, blasting them with hundreds of musket balls. These experimental batteries can also fire carcass shells and quicklime rounds, setting fire to enemy structures or poisoning enemy troops with caustic chemicals.
Historically, ballistics was not an imperfectly-understood science and, apart from inaccurate targeting, a shell did not necessarily do any damage when it arrived. Erratic winds could send shells off course. Shell fuses had to be lit while still in the barrel, and the length of fuse judged to match the flight time. If the fuse was too short, the shell could explode in mid air; too long and the enemy might be able to put it out before it exploded!
General Information[]
Experimental Howitzers have similar (and for most factions identical) statistics to their regular howitzer counterparts; however, instead of utilizing Explosive Shells, they use Carcass Shot and Quicklime. These types of ordnance can be more effective than Explosive Shells in the right circumstances. Additionally, Experimental Howitzers are unable to utilize the "Accuracy" ability.
Experimental Howitzers are able to use Canister Shot for close range defense, though they are worse than cannons in this regard due to their inferior range and their inability to use the Barrage ability.
Statistics for this unit vary depending on faction; differences are posted below (identical statistics are not listed).
| Faction | Accuracy | Reload | Cost | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria and Russia | 40 | 25 | 800 SP/1000 MP | 200 |
| Great Britain | 45 | 25 | 810 SP/1010 MP | 200 |
| France | 50 | 30 | 830 SP/1040 MP | 200 |
| Prussia | 35 | 20 | 780 SP/980 MP | 190 |
| Napoleon: Total War Artillery | |
|---|---|
| Cannons | 12-lber Foot Artillery • 18-lber Foot Artillery • 6-lber Foot Artillery • 6-lber Horse Artillery • 8-lber Foot Artillery • 9-lber Foot Artillery • Artillerie à Cheval • Artillerie à Pied • Grand Battery of the Convention • Guard Foot Artillery • Guard Horse Artillery |
| Howitzers and Mortars | 10-lber Unicorn • 20-lber Unicorn • 5-In Howitzer • 6-In Howitzer • 7-lber Howitzer • Bombardment Mortars • Experimental Howitzer • Howitzers |
| Other | Rocket Troop |