thematic byzantine skoutatoi

[madaxeman]

So, how do you deploy a unit of BG size 8-12, where 3/4 of them are heavy foot with spears, and 1/4 are LF with Bw?

An 8 would be I guess in 3 ranks of -- 3 Sp / 3 Sp / 2 LF,

but how do you deply 12 ? --- 5Sp / 4Sp+1LF / 2 LF ?

Or are they supposed to be 4 ranks deep, Sp/Sp/LF/Sp with a "dead" rank of spear at the back ?

[rbodleyscott]

So, how do you deploy a unit of BG size 8-12, where 3/4 of them are heavy foot with spears, and 1/4 are LF with Bw?

An 8 would be I guess in 3 ranks of -- 3 Sp / 3 Sp / 2 LF,

but how do you deply 12 ? --- 5Sp / 4Sp+1LF / 2 LF ?

Or are they supposed to be 4 ranks deep, Sp/Sp/LF/Sp with a "dead" rank of spear at the back ?

Actually, if you follow the manual they should be 5 ranks deep with 4 ranks of spear and 1 of LF, but we are not that cruel. The manuals do, however, allow for shallower formations, so do whatever you think most effective. The point is that the archers were not a very large proportion of the unit.

We could have classified them as pikes (because of the deep formations), but that would not get the right historical effect as players would then use them to attack with.

Using them

SpSp
SpSp
BwBw
SpSp

(the closest approximation to the historical formation) at least has the advantage of leaving some spare bases of Sp to replace losses, so that POAs are not lost. It may, however, be a bit "belt and braces" and not entirely points effective.

[expendablecinc]

So, how do you deploy a unit of BG size 8-12, where 3/4 of them are heavy foot with spears, and 1/4 are LF with Bw?

An 8 would be I guess in 3 ranks of -- 3 Sp / 3 Sp / 2 LF,

but how do you deply 12 ? --- 5Sp / 4Sp+1LF / 2 LF ?

Or are they supposed to be 4 ranks deep, Sp/Sp/LF/Sp with a "dead" rank of spear at the back ?

Actually, if you follow the manual they should be 5 ranks deep with 4 ranks of spear and 1 of LF, but we are not that cruel. The manuals do, however, allow for shallower formations, so do whatever you think most effective. The point is that the archers were not a very large proportion of the unit.

We could have classified them as pikes (because of the deep formations), but that would not get the right historical effect as players would then use them to attack with.

Using them

SpSp
SpSp
BwBw
SpSp

(the closest approximation to the historical formation) at least has the advantage of leaving some spare bases of Sp to replace losses, so that POAs are not lost. It may, however, be a bit "belt and braces" and not entirely points effective.

Ive got a thematic Byzantine army and have playing it a couple of times under FoG.

I just have a replacement spearman in the last rank to fill the shoes of the fallen and not lose any POA or dice.

SpSpSpSp
SpSpSpSp
SpBwBwBw