Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

[Frank Gilson]

There has been interest in various Byzantine lists with several played over recent years.

The Cheese Lord asked me specifically for one for Maurikian, so here it is.

CinC w/PA Reg A/B EHC/HC L,B,Sh 201
Sub similar 131
2E Reg B EHC/HC L,B,Sh 94
2x 2E Reg B LC B,Sh 92
2E Irr B EHC L,Sh 91
6x 4E Reg C MI LTS,JLS,D,Sh 636
2x 6E Reg D(1 C) LMI B,Sh/B 148
2x 2E Reg D LI SS 36
8E Irr C LC JLS,B,Sh/JLS,B 1.5 121
4E Reg D LMI B,Sh/B 50 = 1600
18 units, 2 cmds, 46 scouting
Note that Ditch can be placed forward, 15 pts each.

The 8E LC unit is Hunnic and fights 1.5 ranks as appropriate.

Forward Ditch can be used to narrow frontage so that the Skutatoi can really be brought to bear...note that you can't really use Ditch if you have to attack past it so take care with what type of opposing forces you face.

[Todd Kaeser]

I actually think that list would be challenging to run - especially in an NICT format.

While I really like its core troops of Skuts - tough overall and flexible and able to shoot. I think that Macedonians would prove to be a big problem.

A lack of good lights vs. Wallachian/Moldavian and their ilk are also worrisome.

If the board is flooded with terrain then not having (beyond some LI and a bowman unit) some good loose formation troops is also a challenge.

I like the Byzantine lists overall - their regular nature and ability to shoot, evade, maneuver, etc... are all flavors I enjoy playing with. I think this army could lend itself to too many draws, but I would need to play with it a few times to know if that is the case.

Having an army on paper and being able to play it are two separate things for sure - Many people run armies successfully that are not my style and I would lose poorly with them.

Todd

[Frank Gilson]

Pike? What? Who runs that any more?

I think Nikephoran and Komnenan are better armies than Maurikian or Early Byzantine...precisely because you have some of the finest loose order foot in the game, the Varangians, on those lists.

No reason to play Early or Maurikian without heavily investing in Skutatoi and making those close order foot work...doesn't leave much else for the army.

Nikephoran is probably best run WITHOUT any close order foot at all, just lancers, Varangians, LI, LC and perhaps a little more loose foot archers...still not happy to face a Knight opponent.

Frank