Can archers fire even when melee is engages?

[Kmap]

Is it true that, now, archers can fire on the troops behind even when the front row is engaged?

[Anaris]

Yes, this was implemented a few months ago. They have a penalty to hit in that situation, since they have to aim carefully to avoid hitting their friends.

Edit: Er, wait. Rereading your question, I'm no longer sure I know what you mean. Archers have always been able to fire past the front line of combat. Archers can now fire past or into the first line of combat.

[Kmap]

No, I mean, can archers keep firing at the enemy's middle and rearward rows even when there are melee units engaged in combat in the front rows (and the rows in between the two front rows).
Are archers of any use in the later stages of battle? (when the infantry and cavalry are in combat, and ofcourse not considering the case that infantry and cav units of the archers' realm are wiped out and all enemy units are charging at the archer units...)
I hope that is more clear.

[Gabanus family]

Yes, that's indeed possible these days. But as said previously they will do less damage as they have to aim more carefully (thus fire less arrows).

[egamma]

Archers fire at a 45 degree angle, or thereabouts. They shoot over the first row of combat to hit the ones further back.

[Kmap]

Thanks Quintus. Thanks Egamma.

I forgot that an archer unit has a maximum range of only 4 rows, that means it cannot fire past the front rows, if it is not in the front row.