I use defensive units for offense! 8)

[DaveMcW]

It really depends on the size of your artillery stack.

With 10 infantry and 20 artillery you need a couple turns of bombardment, allowing your infantry to walk in. With 50 artillery, the city is ready for cavalry to take it on the same turn you start bombarding.

 

[AceDragon]

I remember a game where I watched France use its musketeers against another civ who wasn't as advanced they were really mopping up the map with the English (they were almost past the Ancient Era)

Anyways, I use defensive units to escort my arty to battle although I dont use catapults for the same reason I dont use navy to bombard before Ironclads

I don't exclusively use defensive units to attack but I have 1/3 to 1/2 the number of defense units to accompany the offensive force for 2 good reasons

a) defend against counterattack
b) fortify in the new city (assuming we win the battle) and have the city immediately start building a temple

 

[MummyMan]

In Civ2 artillery and a defensive unit worked perfectly, Musketmen and cannons, mech infantry and howitzers, they were all good. But now artillery sucks, it has appeal but it sucks because it won't destroy a unit and it rarely hits the target, so unless you mod the unit, it blows.

 

[joycem10]

arty does suck when used on an individual basis or in small numbers. to really use it effectivley arty must be massed.

 

[alamo]

I tend to agree that a mass of offensive units that can deal a deathblow or at least retreat are much preferable to a mass of bombarders.

The situation that really calls for a bombarder is a siege, hence the name siege weapon. In the case of superior attack, a weak opponent, or overwhelming force the delay of moving in the siege weapons is not necessary, and even a hinderance.

I also build arty first and foremost to dispatch those annoying ironclads hovering off the shore.

About those Numidean Mercs - there are so expensive as to make them not viable for rush, only escorts. The immortal or legionaire are much superior. On the plus side, they will last a couple of ages and even upgrade to a decent unit.