Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

[Ed Forbes]

Jon,

As the Swiss are being looked at again, here are a few of my thoughts.

1. A Swiss pike charge was no less effective in winning the initial contact in
an Inf combat than other pike of the time. The lists should be changed to allow
for up to 4/5 pike in a unit for 4 ranks of pike with the 2HCT. The 2HCT were
brought up if the block was in trouble or stalled and Swiss pike should not be
losing on first contact on regular basis against other pike of the period.

2. A Swiss pike charge was not easy to stop. As such, Swiss should not have
charges canceled by impetuous foot or mounted. This option has been given to
other foot and if any truly deserve this list rule, it is the Swiss.

3. The Swiss were famous for both their speed on the battlefield and ability to
quickly mount an attack. As such, the Swiss should have the ability to counter
charge impetuous foot. Again, this option has been given to other foot and if
any truly deserve this list rule, it is the Swiss.

4. Other foot in the lists are given the option to counter charge mounted. This
gets into modeling issues between how foot actually acted in the face of mounted
and their effect against mounted in the rules. Historically, a frontal mounted
knight charge against steady Swiss pike was an effective form of suicide.
Currently under the rules, the Swiss regularly loose to a knight charge. As
such, steady Swiss pike should be given the option to counter charge mounted.
Again, this option has been given to other foot and if any truly deserve this
list rule, it is the Swiss.


Anyway, my 2 cents worth

Ed