Playing with detachments

[Aldramelech]

Goodbye

[elrodogg]

5 man archer detachments are one of the strongest choices in the empire book. They redirect chargers better for the cost than anything else in the army.

9 strong free company are another popular choice. Array then 3x3 and they will throw out 6 attacks, they cannot be charged if they are sitting between two infantry units and break ranks. You also need to lose 3 to take a panic check, which means that odd fast cav shots and the like will probably not panic them.

[Melissia]

Ah, you're right on the WS part. Hrm. But the option to have halberds instead of sword and shield is rather valuable. And Halberdiers with sword, shield, and halberd are the same price as swordsmen with just sword and shield. Hrm...


And can a mod seriously please move this? It needs to be in the army list forum or at least the tactics one.

[elrodogg]

For the main block, the weapon skill is worth more than the pip of strength. The main block is there to survive and throw out rank/banner.

For the "combat" detachment, I'll argue that the volume of attacks is better than the number in almost every situation. 9 strong free company is the way to go because they get 6 attacks at ws3/s3 and the size of unit 3x3 so it can fit in between two units and not be charged (the main reason detachments often aren't effective is the opposing side will just charge the deatchment not the main block).

[The Plastic Surgeon]

Yes Swordsmen are WS4 as well.

I really wish that they would fix the rules to make Halberdiers superior to Swordsmen as line troopers so as to go with the fluff. WS4 maybe a bit much to ask for but how about being able to fight in two ranks like spearmen since they ARE polearms? What do we then do with Spearmen? Delete them and bring back Pikemen!

[Aldramelech]

Goodbye

[The Plastic Surgeon]

Well Pikemen makes more sense than Spearmen considering the 'time period' in which the Empire is set. Halberds combined the advantages of the spear with that of a bladed weapon, pikemen are well, pikemen and can reach VERY far to kill cavalry which leaves Spearmen out in the cold in terms of Empire doctrine as it is obsolete. Staple troops should be Halberdiers and Swordsmen with Pikemen acting as specialist units.

Anyone have ideas on making Swordsmen skirmishers conceptually? Halberds require tight formations and almost legion like 'charges' to engage the enemy effectively or get torn to shreds by 'skirmishing' swordsmen. Empire swordsmen are not legionaries in the way they are used, they charge Braveheart style (skirmish?)

I hope I make some sense!