Simple Armies

[rbodleyscott]

Sorry to jump in here, but you say that the Greeks would be a good starting army even though they're almost completely one unit type. In the rules it suggests (tip on p151) that you should avoid such monocultures as 'this can lead to a one dimensional battle plan that is easy to predict and therefore counter'.

So what am I missing?

I guess it depends on the troop-type the army consists of.

Hoplite battle plans are certainly easy to predict, but somewhat harder to counter.

However, if the opposition has a well balanced army including some infantry that are tougher than hoplites, it is relatively easy for them to roll up a hoplite army from one end.

However, if the holplites are armoured, there aren't many things tougher than them, and if they are superior armoured Spartans there is very little that is harder than them. (And nothing at all within their time frame).

A Lucanian army (for example) consisting mostly of MF, Light Spear, Swordsmen would be rather easier to counter.

[LoeweAusNorden]

7 Bgs of Hoplites

4 of Spartans drilled superior
3 of undrilled other hoplites average

Organised in 8s for the ave undrilled and 6s for the Spartans - so 24 frontage of hoplites = about a metre. Plus light troops for the flanks.

Si

Hi,

I must ask. I have ordered a copy of this game and was thinking about a greek army as well (or Macedonian)...My problem ain´t the historical bit, but game mechanics...since I don´t have a copy of the rules yet but want to start painting I need to know this: How many bases are a BG and how many models per base should one use? This spartan army consists of how many models?

I´m sorry if i "hacked" into this thread asking this, but I think it´s kind of ok, since I´m too is a new player and need some advice with my greek armybuilding (let me know if it wasn´t)...

thanks a lot guys...

// LÖWE

[ars_belli]

Sorry to jump in here, but you say that the Greeks would be a good starting army even though they're almost completely one unit type. In the rules it suggests (tip on p151) that you should avoid such monocultures as 'this can lead to a one dimensional battle plan that is easy to predict and therefore counter'.

So what am I missing?

The original response was that Greek armies would be easy to play, precisely because they are relatively simple and straightforward. That is very different from saying that they would be a good (i.e. versatile) choice for open tournament play.

Cheers,
Scott

[dave_r]

There are a number of armies that use hoplites, so if you do get a wodge of them, they can be used as allies for lots of other armies. They can also get bucketfulls of Light Foot, so are not really one dimensional. Two dimensional perhaps...

Scots Common are probably a better description of one dimensional army. Again it is not difficult to use and is hard to beat, although forcing a result can be a problem at a 1000 points...

[Quirkworthy]

The original response was that Greek armies would be easy to play, precisely because they are relatively simple and straightforward. That is very different from saying that they would be a good (i.e. versatile) choice for open tournament play.

Very true.

[shall]

Its not bad in open comps

As a guide

6 bases per BG armoured is good. You will need about 10 of these. 4 figures to a base 40mm x15mm bases.

Si

[LoeweAusNorden]

Its not bad in open comps

As a guide

6 bases per BG armoured is good. You will need about 10 of these. 4 figures to a base 40mm x15mm bases.

Si

Oki-dok,

Then I assume a standard army (800 pts) consists of about 2-300 models, if you need about 10 BG´s with 6 bases in each...phew...and I who just finished my strelkovy battalion for "Flames of war"...and this also means that I need at least 4 of those spartan boxes (readymade DBA armies) from Xyston since each box only consists of about 50 miniatures...right? think I need to do some compliments to my initial order...

// LÖWE

[ixlegion]

So what am I missing?

I dont think you are missing anything.

Sure, it is good advice to have a mixed force to be able to deal with all situations, but for a learner like me a good solid army like the greeks have is great to begin with. My game plan will be simple and a seasoned opponent will rip me apart ... but I will learn what my Hoplites can and cannot do, and as hinted before, they should not be a 'walk-over'.
I wont know how to use combined arms effectively until I understand what each unit type is really capable of under the rules. Therefore a solid block of Hoplites with a *few* supporting troops makes the game a lot easier to learn and understand.

One day I'll field Alexandrian or Later Medieval German or ( you get the idea ) ... but for now its the straightforward armies for me.
Alan.

[RichardD]

Personally I think that there's a lot to be said for learning a new game using an army with one or two troop predominant types and a relatively limited number of support types, especially if those predominant troop types are drilled and can hold their own against most things. My plan is to learn FoG with Romans - lots of armoured impact foot swordsmen, and not too much of anything else.

[shall]

I think the greeks is a great starter army. Easy to use and actually very tough to face in its early form. Even when starting out a "pro" will have to work hard to take you down.

With drilled hoplites on the wings they are not easy to flank. The Off Sp capability is one of the safest - solid against foot and mounted.

Its actually an army that my son may take to Britcon. I am sure any starter will do very well with it.

Just added up my design and it has 42 bases of Spartans and 12 bases of other hoplites - so 216 hoplite figure!! Plus 8 bases of Thracian MF and 4 bases of Greek Cavalry. Then lots fo skimishers. Have fun and hope you get a bulk discount!

Si