Dragoon BG sizes

[shadowdragon]

Quite a few lists allow dragoon BG's of 3 or 4 bases with a min-max of 0-6, which means you can have 1 BG of 4 or 2 B of 3. I noticed that a few players prefer BG of 4 over 3, but would they prefer just one BG of 4 over 2 of 3?

My existing dragoon BG's, from another set of rules, have 3 bases. I'm trying to decide if I should increase them by one base or leave as is.

[mellis1644]

From comments 3 base units are a little more vulnerable when things start to go wrong.

Although the same number of base losses will auto-break the unit, I can see the loss to firepower being more of an issue with 3 base units.

I guess only playing and seeing the real impact and personal taste will tell.

[timmy1]

Every hit on a 3 base Dragoon BG causes a CT. 3 bases of Dragoons even at close range are unlikely to dish out the hits required to force most 17th century BGs to take a CT. With 4 base BGs it takes 2 hits to require a CT, and the chance of inflicting 2 hits is much greater.

[shadowdragon]

Every hit on a 3 base Dragoon BG causes a CT. 3 bases of Dragoons even at close range are unlikely to dish out the hits required to force most 17th century BGs to take a CT. With 4 base BGs it takes 2 hits to require a CT, and the chance of inflicting 2 hits is much greater.

That's the way I'm leaning - increase my dragoon regiments to 4 bases. If a second unit is needed, such as on the other flank, it would probably be better to have a unit of commmanded out / detached musketeers than to have 2 BG of 3.

[hazelbark]

It also depends how you plan to use the Dragoons I would think.

If you never plan to have them to the front of a foe then 3 is ok. But if you think you might need them there in a pinch, then 4s.

[timmy1]

Dan, Musket armed Dragoons will be your most devistating troops if used wisely. Hidden they are a waste.

[david53]

I would only take Dragoons as 4s its hard enough game without the CT every time they are hit.

[Blathergut]

4paks are awfully wide...and the enemy can bring a fair bit of fire power onto them. Cover is nice. I think I will stick with the 4pak though, to minimize CTs. I just need to remember to always evade!!

[hazelbark]

Dan, Musket armed Dragoons will be your most devistating troops if used wisely. Hidden they are a waste.

Hidden is different from on the flank.

If you plan to have them the outside wing so providing extra shooting dice is what i meant, rather than havethem in front of an emeny pike an shot.

[Blathergut]

In our second game (set-up but not started yet), my 4pak Dragoons are facing one of Dead.'s pike/shot BGs. I have enclosed fields to sneak into and I figure at long range I'll have an advantage: 3 dice to his 2. Hopefully I will pass my CMTs and be able to turn-move back-turn and still shoot at him but keep him out of charge range. Will let you know how it works.

Dragoon ability to turn-move-turn back is quite nice.

[SirGarnet]

I agree that Dragoons that intend to manoeuvre to avoid a firefight but harass enemy with fire are good as a nimble 3, and those that intend to shoot it out (including against opposing Dragoons) as 4 with the CT benefit. Otherwise, in FOGR I see them as more about accumulating hits over time (and inflicting death roll losses) than trying to force CTs. CTs are a bonus. Both should as a rule avoid close combat.

However, many western lists are "chunky" in terms of blocks of points that need to be used, and whether 3 or 4 Dragoons are fielded in a BG is often a matter of fitting within a points limit.

[MatthewP]

So, if you had the choice between a four base dragoon bg with arquebuses and a four base bg of light horse. Which is the most effective for slowing down the enemy?

[david53]

So, if you had the choice between a four base dragoon bg with arquebuses and a four base bg of light horse. Which is the most effective for slowing down the enemy?

They both would slow the enemy?

[Scrumpy]

3s or 4s, bah hunbug !!

We real men use 2s as in the Dutch list, and they performed admirably enough yesterday against Tilly & co.

[timmy1]

Dan's plan is exactly right. Dragoons on the outer flank are a real pain.

[timmy1]

Matthew - LH, ALWAYS. So few lists have them and most have few (unless you find yourself against Transylvanian) that they are a real boon. Arquebus Dragoon are not really very useful.

[shadowdragon]

I agree that Dragoons that intend to manoeuvre to avoid a firefight but harass enemy with fire are good as a nimble 3, and those that intend to shoot it out (including against opposing Dragoons) as 4 with the CT benefit. Otherwise, in FOGR I see them as more about accumulating hits over time (and inflicting death roll losses) than trying to force CTs. CTs are a bonus. Both should as a rule avoid close combat.

However, many western lists are "chunky" in terms of blocks of points that need to be used, and whether 3 or 4 Dragoons are fielded in a BG is often a matter of fitting within a points limit.

Good points, Mike.

Anyway, it would seem that as 2, 3 or 4 paks, dragonses loves dragoonses - for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

[Blathergut]

So far, after 2 games, I'll still stick w 4paks. More than once I've ignored one hit with no CT.

[deadtorius]

And in 2 games they have ended up losing a base to hits so they end up at 3 bases in the end, although this time they buggered off and I have not managed to catch them, pikes are soooo slow in enclosed fields

[rbodleyscott]

And in 2 games they have ended up losing a base to hits so they end up at 3 bases in the end, although this time they buggered off and I have not managed to catch them, pikes are soooo slow in enclosed fields

Unless they are Cornish (or Swiss)