[Daynarr]

Attack/closest will order archers to attack closest target. In some cases they will shoot even it they will kill friendly units as well. In other cases they will try to get closer to that target to minimize spread of arrows and friendly losses. Sometimes it may seem that they are trying to engage target in melee because of it, but it's not true - they are trying to get close enough not to shoot their own troops; and usually end up in the melee as a result.

That means that attack/closest order should be used only in specific situations or for specific troops. Orders like that usually are given to javelin troops to throw 2 javelins they have after which they will engage them melee. Giving orders to common archers in back of the field to fire/closest is BAD IDEA.

Basically, fire/something is 2 fold command. First part orders troops to use missiles instead of close combat and second one designates first target. After that first target is destroyed or routed they will choose their next target on their own. Ordering them to fire/none actually doesn't specify their first target so they chose it randomly. They can sometimes even chose commander as target that way, but they may chose closest one as well. However, they usually chose target within their current range of missiles so you want to be careful when positioning them so they always have a good choice of targets at the start of the combat.

BEST option for archers in SP is fire/archers option where they will chose archer squad as first target. Enemy archers are often (not a rule though) poorly armored and very vulnerable to missile fire. Also, they fire at your own troops from safe distance which makes them best first target. Again, you must be careful with positioning as placing archers all the way back and melee in front of them on hold/attack will result in archers running in front of your melee troops trying to get in range to shoot archers.

Hope this helps.