Medium Infantry Basing

[GhengisBarber]

Total newbie here, so apologies if this issue has been previuosly raised or it is covered in the rules, but I haven't been able to find it yet...

The MEDIUM INFANTRY class can have either 3 or 4 figures per base so what is the criteria for deciding which you have?

My natural inclination is to have 3 because it's cheaper and it makes them more obviously MEDIUM than HEAVY! But does the number of figures depend upon some other factor that I haven't yet discovered?
Will be very grateful for any advice here, as I am about to place an order for troops and I would like to get the right number, rather than end up with too many or have to order again to make up the shortfall.

Cheers

Phil

[ars_belli]

The option of 3 or 4 figures per base for MF was included by the FoG authors so that gamers whose figures are already mounted for other gaming systems (cough... DBx... cough) won't be forced to rebase them. As long as you and your opponent know which units are designated as MF and which are HF, the choice of basing is entirely up to you.

Cheers,
Scott

[Draka]

The "other" systems designated the MI (MF) troop type by the number of figures on the base :Reg (Drilled) by 4 and Irreg (Undrilled) by 3. The depth of the base showed if they were HI (HF) or MI (MF). It is still a useful distinction.

[Malidor]

My natural inclination is to have 3 because it's cheaper and it makes them more obviously MEDIUM than HEAVY!

Yep, I agree and AGREE with you To extend on this topic there is a similar issue with commanders ~ you are free to depict them as you like (well, within reason) I use a mixed base of cavalry and infantry so I can pick them out of the battleline quickly.

The only real concern is if you want your new FoG army to be backwards compatible with older systems, as may be the case with club/tournament players.

[Probert]

I base three. It is cheaper to do so, and it quickly distinguishes MF from HF.

[GhengisBarber]

Thanks for the replies guys...

When I first started with 6th Edition I based my Saxon Fyrd as LHI rather than HI, because the lists said you could do either, and I ended up getting totally crushed by a host of nasty Vikings. (based as HI and therefore fighting 4 of theres to every 3 of mine!!!)

If putting 3 figures to a base in FoG simply indicates that they are MI rather than HI, then it seems a good way of making those precious pennies stretch a little further.

I'm off to put my Spanish mercenaries on bases in groups of 3 now...

Cheers

Phil