Noob asks: Where are the Hypaspists?

[Jacksonse]

Hello all - completely new to the forum and to Field of Glory - btw loving the game! Took the complete plunge and bought base plus all DLC's at the Holiday Sale price. Merry Christmas to me!

I must believe I am asking a question that has been asked and answered many times on this forum: Where are the Hypaspists in the Macedonian army? In good faith, I attempted a search and did not find this question, so apologies in advance if I simply do not know how to search on this forum. Specifically I am looking for the unit in the Alexandrian Macedonian army named Hypaspists who are either Heavy or Medium Foot, Protected, Superior, Drilled, Offensive Spearman (not Pikemen).

My first thought was that there is some speculation to the historical veracity of these units (based on my admittedly cursory research). However, I stumbled upon good fortune at my local game and hobby store over the weekend and was able to pick up the delightful Osprey companion books to the Field of Glory miniatures tabletop war gaming rules system. I secured both the Immortal Fire and Rise of Rome, used but in immaculate shape for $10 US apiece. Merry Christmas to me again! Anyway - there on page 46 of Immortal Fire, it suggests I should find the units enumerated above in the Alexandrian Macedonian army. Granted, copyright 2008 -- perhaps 10 year later, further research has placed these units in the "mythological" category?

Thank you for your patience with my long-winded question. Great game - I am enjoying it very much!

[melm]

Here is my two cents.

I have a copy of osprey's campaign series, Granicus 334 BC, written by Michael Thompson. It says "(hypaspists) whether equipped as the 'foot-companions' or like the Greek hoplite is a matter of considerable debate". The book is published in 2007. If it is still under debate, then it's hard for the game to set up the unit type and model. However,, if you own the dlc "Immortal Fire", you can play the epic battle "Issus". You will find 'hypaspist" in you line, which is interpreted as "Pikemen".

Another reason may be the limit of unit slots which is saved for upcoming units.

[markwatson360]

Hi Jacksonse, welcome to FOG 2. If you select the "Download Community Scenarios" button on the start screen (top left) you can download Paul59's TT mod which gives you a whole new army list with many variations, based I beleive on the tabletop version of the game. There is a Macedonian (hypaspists) army listed in there. Hope this helps.

[Paul59]

Hi Jacksonse

Welcome to the forum. I love those army list books, but the lists can be a little hard to read if you are new to them. The Immortal Fire Alexandrian army list actually gives you a choice on how to represent the Hypaspists.

You can either have them as Offensive Spearmen (before 328 BC), or as Pikemen (at any date). There is also a further option of having them as Light Spear, Swordsmen.

As you have gathered, there is considerable debate about how the Hypaspists were armed and how they fought. The designers of FOG2 have decided to depict them as Pikemen. In the Macedonian army list for 355 - 329 BC they are the Veteran Pike Phalanx.

In my TT Mod, I have given players the option of a seperate army list, with the Hypaspists represented as Offensive Spearmen. I would also have liked to have another list with the Hypaspists and some of the Foot Companions as Light Spear Swordsmen, but there is'nt an entirely suitable model for that.

Please not that you can download my original version of the TT Mod from the "Download Community Scenarios' button, but it does not contain the alternative Macedonian army list. That was only made available in the updated TT Mod 1.3.9, which is available here:

http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtop ... 77&t=87260

Even better, just wait two or three days, and a new vastly improved version of the TT Mod will be released.

cheers

Paul

[rbodleyscott]

As Paul says, we subscribe to the "Hypaspists fought as Pikemen" view. As such they are the Veteran Pike Phalanx units in the Macedonian army list.

[TimDee58]

Even better, just wait two or three days, and a new vastly improved version of the TT Mod will be released.

cheers

Paul

*happy dance*

[Jacksonse]

Thank you all for the prompt and educational responses! Yes - I am too new to have explored the community content (so much to do and so little time!) I think I will wait patiently a few days for the improved TT Mod. For now, the Veteran Phalanx will more than fit the bill. This is really going to date me, but my introduction to ancients wargaming was AH's 1971 classic "Alexander the Great." In that game, I remember the Hypaspists as separate, smaller non-phalanx counters -- but good! Such fond memories...