best Indian list

[Samei00]

I wonder if , like in DBR, the best list for low points max competitions is the Muslim Indian list or even Mahratta list rather than the Mughal list. the Muslim indian list does not oblige you to buy arquebusiers plus heavy /medium arty plus light arty if you want any of these as the Mughal list does. You also have the option of swordsmen. Cavalry minims are less but compulsory cavalry are average not superior and 2 nellies are necessary. You can't field big batteries of big guns but I am sure that the big guns eventually get overrun and you lose the game plus the no option for expensive FFs. I think for competitions where point limits seem low the Mughal list struggles to be competitive due to arquebus rather than musket and light artillery surely being a completely useless purchase. Mahratta may be useful. Muslim Indian also allows Rajput allies if you want them.
I suppose Rajputs are dashing but they are a one trick pony and don't have enough hitting power against western foot or horse.
Mahrattas get ok spearmen and muskets praise the lord and dashing cavalry but small amounts of arty.
Or am i talking complete crap?

[hazelbark]

Well I am experimenting with these lists.

I now have 5 ish games with Hindus. Built around Elephants and Colonial Dutch. The games have been mostly fun.

I think the Moghuls might have an intersting combination of units. Elephants, artillery, good mounted and foot that can hold up for longer than a light breeze.

But I am myopic on elephants being part of the solution. HOWEVER they do not like being shot at so you have to screen them.

[hazelbark]

Mughal list struggles to be competitive due to arquebus rather than musket and light artillery surely being a completely useless purchase.

Light artillery is pretty good actually. it throws out some firepower to 8 MU. Which means at minimum 4 turns of shooting.

Also an 8 arquebues versus a 4 shot and 2 pike. Long range the euros get 2 dice. Suddenly at 3 normal range the arqubues are putting out 50-100% more dice. And the Arqubues units can take one more kill before autobreak.

The arqubues units are HORRIBLY vulnerable to a mounted attack. But then you have Elephants.

All more interesting than I first feared.

[Samei00]

Hi but like DBR say for Britcon 800 points in my head I can only figure about 4cavalry units plus the rest I have to spend on foot troops and artillery. The temptation is to go for wall of crap infantry and sit tight behind a big ol arty battery. Tempted to avoid FFs and have med arty so they can pivot and take out cavalry on flanks. Warriors with lt spear seem to make a good support for arty. I suppose my worry is that with the low points limit you have to choose to specialise in one thing only meaning if your one trick doesn't come off you're toast. Hmmm arquebusiers clearly can't hide behind FFs because of range issue but in 8s get an overlap ++ over 6 front pike n shot. 2 groups of nellies deployed to flanks can help your mounted in the flanks against cavalry where hopefully they won't be shot at or kept deep in reserve to flank charge any penetrating enemy foot.
It's just that with a Muslim Indian list at 800 it's easier to get 6cavalry units with 4 of them average but supported by 2 nelly units and you can probably dominate enemy cavalry. You would have small amounts of artillery but you could get swordsmen and be able to afford light infany.
Muslim Indians or moguls probably have about 16 BGs so not appreciably bigger than European armies
PS stoked about promotion to javelin man

[Samei00]

Not that I am going to Britcon it's just a thought experiment

[hazelbark]

Arqubesiers in 8s behind FF are only hit on 5s. It will take a long while for these to be worn down. And since the Muskets are likley throwing two dice its not much of a problem. If there is artillery behind the FF two then the 6 base pike and shot has headaches if it stay over 3 MU.

Not saying its a world beater but it is a tactical complication for the pike and shot.