Countering Blade Wind - Early Era

[FAJ]

I am playing Yomi, in early era. What is the best way to counter blade wind, and other mass damage spells like falling fire/frost? My armies are mostly composed of archers with medium to low protection, so the spells can be devastating. How can I combat a mage heavy foe, casting mass damage?

Will setting archers to fire at farthest enemy work, or is sniping their commanders with arrows a pipe dream? is there any way to script a mage to cast magic on enemy commanders?