I think the list authors had a struggle to properly represent the Almughavar historical performace and adopted a 'least worst representation' approach.

That's a polite way of saying "they got it wrong." 8)

In the end, being Drilled saves them from being a waste, and I think there's probably a ...

Yes, it probably should. I'll leave it to some of the more august members of this forum to suggest it if they think the idea has merit. Being relatively new to the game, I probably don't carry much street cred. Heck, I wouldn't listen to me either if the situation was reversed.

Oh I'd take the POA loss all day. First it's only a half POA drop vs Foot. So it's only going to come into play if you were at no net POAs. If you're facing, say, Superior Protected Offensive Spear then the half POA comes into play. You getting 1.33 hits and he's getting 2.67 hits. Your lose, taking ...

Well a major experience differential is going to a problem no matter what. Learning the use of drilled MF is an acquired skill. I like them.

Well, our points are not mutually exclusive. It's possible both your point and my point can be true at the same time. 8)

In fact, that's the gist of my ...

Well clearly you're a better player than me.

(That's not me being snide at all, but rather a full throated compliment)

Maybe I'll come back around to them, because the background is just really cool, but the rules annoy me.

MF at least have the option to utilise terrain or retreat into it. HF are generally always stuck in the open.
This gives MF the edge IMHO.

And for this is counterbalanced by the fact that while an analogous HF will pass its first cohesion test, you won't. Then you're no longer Steady (so now POA ...

I must disagree here. The Catalan Company as Superior, Protected, MF, Offensive Spear are capable of handling most things in the open, in particular they are very solid against mounted.

I guess that's a matter of opinion. I don't see no net POA as 'very solid.' I see that as a coin-flip.


You ...

I think there is a world of differece between drilled Superior Off Spear and undrilled average impact foot.

Are you comparing Almughavars to the Romans? If so, he was Superior and Elite Drilled Impact Foot.


The Catalans are a very solid force but you have to believe in manuver and not head on ...

Try not to fight on the steppe if you can help it.

Yeah there's a guy who plays a lot of horse archer type armies. He always tries to get the +4 for Steppe. Then he takes the 'bad' terrain so he can control where it goes. So my options will be a) play on the steppe or b) don't play him. 8)

Let ...

Only played one game and already I'm going crazy on the army list construction! Actually I have my first real game this week (where the guys aren't being nice to me by telling me the smart play at every step). Rather than start with the Catalan Company, which I imagine will have its own learning ...

Try not to fight on the steppe if you can help it.

Yeah there's a guy who plays a lot of horse archer type armies. He always tries to get the +4 for Steppe. Then he takes the 'bad' terrain so he can control where it goes. So my options will be a) play on the steppe or b) don't play him.

So based on the feedback, I've got like 3 variations and I think I'll just have to try them and see how it works out:

Option 1: 900 pts on the dot. +2 Init
4xTCs
2x6 LF w/Jav+Lt. Spear
4x4 LH w/bow-swd
6x6 MF Muggers
3x4 Cav Lancers

This is more fragile with the 6 base muggers, but more ...

Thanks for all the replies. My thoughts:

1) It seems that I can't get the +4 init bonus, but that's probably not totally necessary. Most terrain types will have something I can use to my advantage and if I get Steppe, then I'll just have to maneuver and suck it up.

2) 'Muggers' in 8s. I can pull ...

Just taking the plunge into the game and have settled on the Catalan Company (I really like those 'muggers'). Never played a game, so any feedback on this list would be very helpful. Here's what I'm thinking of taking:

4xTC
2x6 LF Unprot, Avg, Drilled, Jav, Lt Spear (Almughavar skirmishers)
4x4 LH ...