“If”, most battles will have both armies moving if both have some troops Arrows will end up behind all as canons, canons due aoe will tear front lines, while arrows even with their extra range will take time to start attacking canons.
If you are “ambushing” maybe you have them in range, but if you are moving to attack again they will end up last in the formation, they will either take time to reach its target or will slow all the army.
Their speed/range even if better than canons mather little as you said a decent mass is needed, 5 at least per canon, even after 4 cards (3 knigh + 1 temple) their utility is mediocre. Plus using 2 pop, I better use coyotes.
Again they have more ranged than longbowmans, more damage. Their are intended to be aztec culverins (sort of) but fail greatly to do so, they would better be skirmisher type unit with good siege attack, faster move/fire rates, 1 pop less cost, other units to fill the anti-artillery role.
Yes, Eagles problem is that they have bonuses vs horses but resistances vs all ranged, so who counters them, artillery? So they nerfed RR. Any idea is welcomed, as long as its constructive.
Pd: I updated the post, also added some “Wild Ideas” in the 1st comment and would like to invite anyone to see this post if you havent: