Peltasts as variable fighting types

[GHGAustin]

I would like to see Peltasts and allowed to be deployed either as LF or MF at the beginning of the battle, similar to the decision that you can make with regard to Makedonian Hypaspists. So, as long as you pay for the most expensive type, then after you have seen the terrain you can declare at the time of deployment whether they are acting in the LF or MF role. One might argue a similar thing for Thureophoroi and MF vs. HF.

Also, I wonder about making LF Peltasts protected, similar to Velites. This would give them an advantage over other javelinmen.

[Fluffy]

The same for some bow.

[nikgaukroger]

I would like to see Peltasts and allowed to be deployed either as LF or MF at the beginning of the battle, similar to the decision that you can make with regard to Makedonian Hypaspists. So, as long as you pay for the most expensive type, then after you have seen the terrain you can declare at the time of deployment whether they are acting in the LF or MF role. One might argue a similar thing for Thureophoroi and MF vs. HF.

For peltasts to have a MF option there would have to be evidence of MF behaviour - are you aware of any?

It would be an inappropriate option for thyreoforoi as the MF/HF option is really about backward compatability for existing figure collections rather than a belief they fought in 2 different ways. The writers actually think that HF is correct, but did not want to worry players with rebasing which might have proved a barrier to playing FoG.

Also, I wonder about making LF Peltasts protected, similar to Velites. This would give them an advantage over other javelinmen.

They are Average compared to the general Greek javelinman who is Poor - seems advantage enough against the troops they were superior to historically.

[gozerius]

Well, Thracian "peltasts" are graded as MF with anything from light spear, to light spear w/sword, offensive spear or heavy weapon. The LF are simply "javelinmen".

[grahambriggs]

Well, Thracian "peltasts" are graded as MF with anything from light spear, to light spear w/sword, offensive spear or heavy weapon. The LF are simply "javelinmen".

I imagine calling the Thracians "peltasts" ccame about because that was the nearest Greek troop type. Is there any information that these fierce Thracian warriors with close combat weapons would act as light skirmishers? In tribal societies that seems to have often been a role given to the youths.

[rbodleyscott]

Well, Thracian "peltasts" are graded as MF with anything from light spear, to light spear w/sword, offensive spear or heavy weapon. The LF are simply "javelinmen".

I imagine calling the Thracians "peltasts" ccame about because that was the nearest Greek troop type.

Or more likely because they carried the pelta.

[grahambriggs]

Well, Thracian "peltasts" are graded as MF with anything from light spear, to light spear w/sword, offensive spear or heavy weapon. The LF are simply "javelinmen".

I imagine calling the Thracians "peltasts" ccame about because that was the nearest Greek troop type.

Or more likely because they carried the pelta.

Surely "pelta" is a Greek word, not Thracian? (desperate attempt at recovery...)

[rbodleyscott]

I imagine calling the Thracians "peltasts" ccame about because that was the nearest Greek troop type.

Or more likely because they carried the pelta.

Surely "pelta" is a Greek word, not Thracian? (desperate attempt at recovery...)

Indeed and so is peltastoi - it means "men carrying the shield called a pelta". i.e. the crescent shaped thingy in the 5th century BC.

Of course in Hellenistic times it came to have a somewhat different meaning, being used even for pikemen, and in any case Thracians by then used the thureos.

[madaxeman]

Also, I wonder about making LF Peltasts protected, similar to Velites. This would give them an advantage over other javelinmen.

They are Average compared to the general Greek javelinman who is Poor - seems advantage enough against the troops they were superior to historically.

Isn't there a Superior Cavalry thread where RBS says this isn't the rationale for grading troops in FoG though ?

[nikgaukroger]

Also, I wonder about making LF Peltasts protected, similar to Velites. This would give them an advantage over other javelinmen.

They are Average compared to the general Greek javelinman who is Poor - seems advantage enough against the troops they were superior to historically.

Isn't there a Superior Cavalry thread where RBS says this isn't the rationale for grading troops in FoG though ?

Quite possibly, however, I can't be held responsible for what he says I also know there is a topic where he says what I said above

[hazelbark]

I think a lot of this idea being able to detach convert MF into LF goes to what are you trying to design in the game.

For me that rings of the napoleonic forces trying to deploy units in extended skirmisher order and not. A very common discussion in that period.

But for me that moves FOG AM down a rung to a more tactical level that has repeatedly been eschewed.

Heck I bet even in a pinch you can shake some of your phalanx into some LF worthless unit. But that is not the big picutre scale of the game. That is rung closer to more specailty rules all over.