Romano British or Post Roman Brits

[BlackPrince]

Hi Phil,

that is a good idea to look at the allies, I guess I have been wary of allies because of that stupid rule that them potentially unreliable allies in DBM. I have not seen the same rule in FoG so I assume there is no major problem with allies in FoG.

Keith

[Phil_Bradley]

Yes Keith

That rule appears to be gone, there does not appear to be a big negative, other than the loss of some flexability.

That will be the way I will go.

Phil

[SirGarnet]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for tip I have checked out the Armorican allies list in Legions Triumphant. I just need to look at the pros and cons of light spear.

Keith

Defensive Spearmen costs 1 point.
Defensive Spearmen counts as an Impact POA if not charging (hence the "Defensive" aspect).
If they are steady and not charging, they also cancel the Impact POA for Lancers POA (and the Heavy/Scythed Chariot POA, for anachronistic battles).
Defensive Spearmen counts as a Melee POA if in 2 ranks and not Fragmented or Severely Disorderd.
In Melee, if they are Steady, they also cancel the Swordsmen POAs.
This explains their ubiquity once Lancer/Swordsmen troops become common, and when Steady they are also tougher against other Swordsmen mounted and infantry. The start falling apart once they lose cohesion, become disordered, or become one-deep.


Light Spear (basically an junior Impact Foot) costs nothing. Swordsmen costs 1 point.
Light Spear is an Impact POA that applies in all cases except if you are charging against shock mounted. So it is better if you are charging, and the same as Def Spearmen who are not charging except for the Def Spearmen's POA cancellation advantages if they are Steady.

Swordsmen is a Melee POA nullified by Swordsmen and Steady Spearmen. Its advantage is that it applies regardless of cohesion loss, disorder, or fighting in only one rank.

In conclusion, Defensive Spearmen (preferably Heavy Foot) to block enemy mounted and foot in the open and Light Spear Swordsmen for terrain would be complementary forces.

Check out the POA chart. I hope this is helpful.

[Phil_Bradley]

Thanks Very much Mike

Phil

[BlackPrince]

Hi Mike,

Thanks most useful.

Keith

[BlackPrince]

Hi Nik,

As I am about to order my first lot of figures for this army I was after some hints some of the troop types:

will there be LF Javelin or bow?
MF with bow?
LH I doubt it?

If you can give some insight it would be great.

Keith

[Phil_Bradley]

I would say Jav and maybe some bow.
I would say yes to LH
I dont think there will be much bow but you may get some in a welsh option

Phil

[nikgaukroger]

Hi Nik,

As I am about to order my first lot of figures for this army I was after some hints some of the troop types:

As I'm feeling kind today

will there be LF Javelin or bow?
MF with bow?
LH I doubt it?

1. A few Bow LF
2. No
3. A small (speculative) BG of Javelin, Light SPear LH

[Phil_Bradley]

Thanks Nik

I have bought a few figs but holding off until the release of the book.

Phil

[BlackPrince]

Thanks Nik for the tips, I will preorder Wolves of the Sea.

Phil which brand of figures did you go with in the end?

Keith

[Phil_Bradley]

Hi Keith

I bought Old Glory figures. As I am going to do the very early period, just after the roman departure.
As that range is quite roman looking.

I will after looking at the list, when it comes out maybe get some splintered light stuff to do a later time period, as I am guessing they would look move saxon and Viking as time went on.

As I am going to do Strathclyde you will have some Irish and Pict influence as well.

From my reading and small understanding. Allot of the Roman powerbase quickly collasped and it some what fell back to a celtic tribal pattern. As they were many tribes (they appear to be termed Hill tribes) that were only partly romanised. They would have lost the old chariot way of fighting.

But the horse and Infantry tactics would have reverted back.

Also as the roman equipement wore out they wouldl have had to make thier own copies of what their neighbours were using or by of their neighbours or from the continent. Places like the kingdoms in Cornwall have very good links with Gaul and Brittiany.

Phil

[BlackPrince]

Hi Phil,

I saw Old Glory had some Romano brits, I use Old Glory for my Free Company army but I was thinking of using splintered light for this army as they look great figures and the $6.00 US flat rate postage ( if it is still available) is very attractive as well.

Have you found any sources for information on this period?

The collapse of society after Romans left is very interesting based on some episodes of Time Team I have seen it would appear that parts collapsed very quickly. While other parts of Britain hung on for a long time whether it was because they were more heavily Romanized and therefore it took a long time for the cultural structures to break down or there was just some good leadership there which kept the hairies a bay is the interesting part.

Has anyone used splintered light figures are they any good, do they paint well?

Keith

[Phil_Bradley]

HI Keith

On splintered light, a mate bought some and he said they do not look as good as on the site. i have not seen them so cannot confirm that. They still should look good with a decent paint job.

The more heavily romanised area was the quickest parts to go, Essex and around london. as that is where allot of the saxons were.

Its not to say that it was a complete revert to the stone age and the saxons had a good social structure.

The Romano leadership became like tribal Chiefs/Warlords. The longest lasting area was at Strathclyde which was never fully romanised being a fedoerate area.

I have the Osprey book which is a little use. The Brits appeared to like the use of cav to fight/raid the saxons as thier foot were not as good. You would guess terrain permitting that they would copy the effective Saxon shield tactics. Also copy weapon design from Saxon and Viking lands.

Each of the various nations formed alliances to wipe each other out at various times so there should be great variation in allies.

With the loss of Southern england allot of the horse regions went as well.

Out of the Romano mess the Celts in wales form into the Welsh, as the Irish fight with the Picts for scotland. The English kingdoms slowley get picked off by the saxon other german immigrants brits Irish and welsh. Untill there are saxons Welsh, and Alba. Strathclyde gets absorbed into Alba. really leaving Wales as the last of the Celt/Brit/romans. Vs the Saxon, Vikings then Normans.

the words Wales and Welsh were used by the Germanic invaders to refer to Romanized Britons)

This has a little info
http://www.britannia.com/history/nararthist.html

Thanks Phil

[kermit-matrix]

Excellent!
Something for the Picts to roll over, Phil.

Cheers
Kermit

[Phil_Bradley]

Dreams are free Kermit Dreams are free

Phil

[BlackPrince]

Are the Romano British the only army your Picts can beat?

[Phil_Bradley]

Traditionaly the Picts did not have a huge amount of success, I belive they may have taken The rock of Dunbarton after a 3 month seige with the viking or saxon help.

Looks like a challenge has been made when the New list come out

Phil

[BlackPrince]

The stuff I have read about the seige of the Rock of Dunbarton mentions the Vikings capturing it but nothing about the pecky Picts so they must have been really useful allies.

Keith

[kermit-matrix]

Traditionaly the Picts did not have a huge amount of success, I belive they may have taken The rock of Dunbarton after a 3 month seige with the viking or saxon help.

Looks like a challenge has been made when the New list come out

Phil

Your kidding right?
Anyway history isn't list effectiveness is it.
Bring it on I say I have sauce in case I have to eat my words.

Kermit

[Phil_Bradley]

Ok kermit

You will have to name the place of battle when the list comes out. As well as you taking a comtempary list to fight it

Phil