For the Empire: Total War unit, see Bombardment Mortars (Empire: Total War).
Bombardment Mortars are a type of artillery in Napoleon: Total War.
Description[]
A mortar is a large calibre, fixed artillery piece that lobs percussive shells and quicklime in a high arc at the enemy.
To the uneducated eye, a mortar looks like a large, stumpy cooking pot, set at an angle in a heavy wooden frame. Indeed, the weapon’s name may even come from its similarity to the mortars used to grind spices. Mortars use indirect fire, firing their percussive shells and quicklime high into the air to plunge down on enemy positions.
Unlike a howitzer, a mortar uses a fixed, and relatively small, charge of gunpowder to propel its shell. Range is adjusted by changing the angle of fire; accuracy is subject to winds and weather. There is also a practical minimum range to mortar fire as the weapon cannot be aimed in a near-vertical position. The men that handle them are incredibly vulnerable to fast moving cavalry.
Modern mortars owe their widespread use to trench warfare in the First World War. Current designs, based on the British Stokes trench mortar, come in many sizes. Most can fire shells with proximity fuses as anti-personnel rounds. The larger examples can fire sophisticated “smart” munitions that guide themselves onto targets.
General Information[]
Bombardment Mortars have unparalleled range, but pay for this with abysmal accuracy and reloading skill. Due to their huge range advantage they're a useful way of flushing armies out of entrenched positions, as often the only other option for the targets is to stay and be bombarded.
Bombardment Mortars are some of the only howitzer-type artillery that has access to Round Shot, allowing them to damage or destroy fortifications and buildings. However, they are so inaccurate that they need quite some time to deal any significant damage. They can also use Quicklime and explosive shells, useful anti-infantry ordnance. Unlike most howitzer artillery, bombardment mortars do not have access to Canister Shot, making them highly vulnerable to nearby enemies.
Napoleon: Total War Artillery | |
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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 |