Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

[Mark Stone]

--- On January 2 Bill said: ---

>
> After reading with interest the critiques of various army lists I
> would to get some insights about the basics of army construction.
>
> One thing that I had not expected is that you guys a recommending much
> smaller units (2-4 elements) than I would have thought. As I remember
> the rules you can have units of up-to 12 elements. Are units of this
> size ever played?
>

Size of unit is very much a matter of function. Strike/shock units tend to be in
smaller sizes, such as 2-4 elements (cavalry typically 2, foot typically 4, but
there is some variation). Line units tend to be much larger, with 6-8 elements
being common. Skirmish units that are functioning as line units are probably
best in 6 element sizes, and skirmish units that are playing more of a "harrass
the flanks, target of opportunity role" should be smaller; probably 2 elements,
occaisionally 4.

>
> So the basics
> 1) What is a standard size army(in points) for a Saturday "Beer and
> pretzels" game? Would this be markedly larger or smaller than a
> convention pick up game or even a tournament game?
>

In our area standard sizes for "pickup" games are either 1200 points or 1600
points. 1200 points is good for a relaxed 2-3 hour game, which is an easy time
frame for people to accomodate on an evening. 1600 games, with time for
kibitzing/socializing before and after, tend to run more like 5 hours.

Convention games are most often 1600 points, though there are some regular 1200
point events.

>
> 2) how many elements (very roughly obviously) would this amount to?
>

A typical 1600 point army that includes a significant amount of cavalry probably
has around 180 figures. The average element probably has 3 figures, so figure 60
elements. There is an _enormous_ amount of potential variation. Burgundian
Ordannance would be lucky to field 150 figures on 1600 points; Midianite Arabs
would probably field over 300 figures on 1600 points.

>
> 3) How large (in elements) would the units be and why?
>

See comments above.

The key thing is that units larger than 4 elements tend to be difficult to
maneuver, and difficult to slot in between other units. Larger units thus tend
to fight straight ahead of where they were deployed, without a lot of
additional maneuvering. Smaller units can be reployed more easily in march
moves, can fit more easily into gaps, and can fit more easily in for a flank
charge. Thus larger units tend to function in the line or skirmish role, and
smaller units tend to function in strike or flanking maneuver roles.


-Mark Stone