Parthian army advice

BradZ · Post by **BradZ** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:49 pm

Hello one and all, I've just joined this community having picked up a copy of the rules and a Parthian army. I've got my first game tonight with a friend and his Romans. Its my first time using a cavalry army of any type and the list has been designed on the table in the rear of the rule book as we havent picked up a source book yet.

Field Commander
Troop Commander
Troop Commander
Troop Commander

6 Cataphract
Superior
Lancers
Swordsman
Drilled

6 Cataphract
Superior
Lancers
Swordsmen
Drilled

6 Horse Archers
Average
Bow
Drilled

8 Horse Archers
Average
Bow
Drilled

6 Horse Archers
Average
Bow
Drilled

The list is mostly based on what miniatures I own. I basically after some advice re the list for example are my Cataphracts better off in smaller BG's or Larger? Are the larger groups of LH going to be too unwieldy or am I better using smaller groups? I'm hoping to pick up the Parthian Source book soon but for now were just testing the rules out.

nikgaukroger · Post by **nikgaukroger** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:14 pm

The horse archers are Undrilled (not that it matters to skirmishers) as are the catafracts - I'd put the horse archers in BGs of 4, and then when you've used them like that for a bit you may want the odd 6 base one in as well.

if you're interested there is a Parthian army I tried on this page - http://www.endoftime.pwp.blueyonder.co. ... ylists.htm

BradZ · Post by **BradZ** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:22 pm

Thanks I'll take a look.

hammy · Post by **hammy** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:37 pm

IMO you have too many generals and not enough battle groups.

I would probably field all your LH as BG's of 4 (you have a multiple of 4) and kep the cataphracts in 6's I would drop one TC and see if I could get another BG , possibly of light or medium foot.

Fenton · Post by **Fenton** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:07 am

I am going to use Parthians next weekend, just going to make up an amry list and see what happens, might be good might be bad, but it should be fun

shall · Post by **shall** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:13 pm

Its legal if you dropp the 8 LH down to 2 x4s as BGs

A mix of 4s and 6s can be nice, or all 4s if you want more BGs

You porbably have a TC more than you need for such a small army. Better to take an IC and drop a TC if you can. This also gives you PBI of +4 and will give you better control of territory which is important for this type of all mounted army.

6s for Cataphracts is a good choice. Sticka TC with each for a nice 6 dice upgrade.

See if you can get them all in together. I managed a full 18 together once and it does feel rather good an parthian. And had a TC with all 3 at the time. It did well!

Si

ethan · Post by **ethan** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:47 pm

Having played with and against bow LH a couple of times now I think the best thing is to consider a group of 3 4 stand LH BGs as the basic manuever elements. They are pretty flexible and you goal should be to get all 12 stands shooting at one target. Throwing 6 dice will on average force a test against most enemy which is your goal. Even a 6 stand group of Cataphracts will on average take 2 hits and be forced to dice.

The smaller 4 element BGs are small and maneuverable enough on their own that you can wheel/angle/manevuer them easily enough to get them all shooting. Six and espeically 8 elements groups can have trouble getting all their stands hitting one target.

I found in a game last night that my 4 element group of Skythian Cv deployed single deep occasionally had trouble getting all four stands on a target due to arc of fire issues. This is the same for an 8 element group of LH.

The role of 6 element LH groupis chasing off enemy 4 element LH groups IMO

. Possibly you could use 2x4+1x6 to try and get 7 dice on a target.

BradZ · Post by **BradZ** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:27 pm

OK I used the list last night and dropped the LH BG's down to groups of 4, dropped a TC and upgraded to a IC. I kept the Cataphracts in groups of 6 and put a TC in each. The LH danced rings around the Roman infantry and some really nifty concentrated shooting saw off thier cavalry really quickly. By the time I charged with the Cataphracts the infantry had endured some shooting and were disrupted. The Cataphracts quickly mopped up with minimal losses.

I think the LH work well in groups of 4 but only if theres a few of them firing at the same target I think any bigger and they become a biy too unwieldy.

hammy · Post by **hammy** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:03 pm

BradZ wrote:I think the LH work well in groups of 4 but only if theres a few of them firing at the same target I think any bigger and they become a biy too unwieldy.

If you are not facing much enemy missile fire LH in BGs of 4 are fine but if you are shot back at and lose a base from a BG of 4 you are in real trouble.

rtaylor · Post by **rtaylor** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:06 pm

hammy wrote:
BradZ wrote:I think the LH work well in groups of 4 but only if theres a few of them firing at the same target I think any bigger and they become a biy too unwieldy.
If you are not facing much enemy missile fire LH in BGs of 4 are fine but if you are shot back at and lose a base from a BG of 4 you are in real trouble.

If you have multiple groups then you can split enemy fire. But yes, life is hard for the outnumbered.

hazelbark · Post by **hazelbark** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:01 pm

shall wrote: 6s for Cataphracts is a good choice. Sticka TC with each for a nice 6 dice upgrade.

The only concern I have of 6s is they need to cooperate in my opinion which means you cant really threaten two parts of the board. And probalby the LH gets pushed back. So your opponent will concentrate to deal with the cataphracts.

But I understand the combat sturdiness of the 6s.