Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

[Frank Gilson]

Wes writes:
>Message: 22
> Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 01:51:07 -0000
> From: "lsu90" <lsu90@...>
>Subject: HK
>
>How many people play HK instead of upgrading to EHK? I've always been
>interested in the period from the 1st Crusade and up till
.Hattin, but I didn't think the early crusader lists were very
>competitive. The new Perry line and Black Tree Design Crusaders have given
>me the painting bug though (hoped someone would know how they compare with
>Essex in size). Is the extra fatigue for charging HK worth the heavier
>armor compared to HC? Are EHK really worth the 24 extra points per unit?
>
>Wes

Answering this requires regarding the combat charts, both for missile fire
and hand to hand, for the difference between HC and HK and EHK, and then the
1 extra fatigue for charging knights...oh, and dismounting .

First off, that extra fatigue. It's worth it...especially since the
difference in vulnerability of HC or EHC in various circumstances vs. HK or
EHK means you will take the extra fatigue or more anyway. You just want to
make sure you don't hit tired, and knights don't unless they took a prep
shot...and such a prep shot would likely put 2 CPF (or 3!) on HC.

Now, dismounting...you basically never dismount HC or EHC. You must consider
dismounting HK or EHK. HK and EHK dismount as EHI JLS,Sh (unless army list
gives them an alternative weapon)...element for element. Knights also retain
their morale grade, unlike cavalry.

Looks like we definitely want to upgrade HC L,Sh to HK L,Sh...so far.

Now for the combat tables:
HK take 1 less factor from JLS, D, and B fire than HC, a small improvement.
HK take 2 less factor from hand to hand Lance or Other Cavalry, and 1 less
from Chariot or Elephant crew. HK take 2 less factor from infantry 2HCW or
2HCT and 1 less factor from Other Infantry or Artillery weapons. They suffer
one worse factor (greater) from Chariot Horse or Elephant and +2 worse
factor from a scythed chariot.

The verdict on HC vs. HK? Always upgrade your HC to HK if you have the
option. I am willing to make that blanket assertion given the facts, and my
experience...and the fact that HK over HC is only 2 points per figure!

Now, the upgrade from HK to EHK is not such an easy choice....EHK have only
some combat benefit above HK...for 4 points extra a figure.

EHK take 1 less factor from JLS, D, or B fire than HK...but are otherwise
identical in receiving missiles.

The EHK are the same factor against two crucial weapon classes as HK...Lance
and Other Cavalry.

EHK take 1 less factor from Elephant and Chariot crew (but this type of
exchange in combat should be pretty rare). EHK take 1 less factor from Pike
or LTS, however you rarely charge any mounted into spearmen...only SHK are
really candidates for that....or dismounts, where EHK and HK become
identical.

EHK do have an additional benefit over HK in terms of Other Infantry or
Artillery weapons, 1 less factor, and infantry do not get to count a JLS
plus against EHK...however JLS troops in Warrior still get to fight w/ half
the rear rank even w/out the +...so this is only a minor benefit.

Is this collection of minor factor benefits worth 4 points per figure from
HK to EHK? It is my opinion that it is not...so I would not usually upgrade
HK to EHK if I was given a choice....or I would have a few knight units,
depending on points available, with front rank EHK and back HK (generals for
extra protection, especially against bow fire).

However, look over army lists...quite a few require your knights to be all
EHK under many circumstances (they all start out that way, or the upgrade
from HK is all or all/none).

So, I find that I would look for either a solid HK army...or go all the way
up to SHK...as SHK are absolute monsters, and worth every point...the only
problem being their extreme cost...partly reduced if you run SHK backed by
EHK (the best dismounters in the game, turning into SHI 2HCW backed by EHI
JLS,Sh).

I don't think there's a list with SHK backed by HK...and I am unwilling to
back SHK with HC, especially as such sergeants are usually Irr C!

Frank Gilson

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--- In WarriorRules@yahoogroups.com, "Frank Gilson"
<franktrevorgilson@h...> wrote:
>
> So, I find that I would look for either a solid HK army...or go all
the way
> up to SHK...as SHK are absolute monsters, and worth every
point...the only
> problem being their extreme cost...partly reduced if you run SHK
backed by
> EHK (the best dismounters in the game, turning into SHI 2HCW backed
by EHI
> JLS,Sh).
>


Really interesting analysis. Thanks for taking the time. All my
Warror-compatible lead is from a time period in which they've never
heard of knights, but even so this tells me a lot if I ever find my
way into a tournament and see a table full of knights across the way.

BTW, what are moogs?

John