Infantry classes

[ars_belli]

In initial tests we allowed such mixed battle groups and also mixed BGs of elephants and light foot. However, we found that they complicated the rules excessively for not much benefit, as a similar effect can be had by using them as separate BGs in close support of each other.

I can live with that. Thanks for the info, Richard!

Cheers,
Scott K.

[whitehorses]

Troops without an impact or melee PoA are able to fight hand to hand, however, they will be disadvantaged if fighting those with a PoA.

The rules do not stop your Light Infantry archers with no combat PoAs from fighting Roman legionarii, they just make it exceedingly painful for them to do so

What about Foot armed with Polearms & 2-handed weapons?
i.e. Halberds, Plancons, Big arse swords & Bills.
Do they get a PoA in melee, or treated just as Heavy infantry, or similar to Dismounted Men-at-arms?



Cheers,
Jer

[hammy]

What about Foot armed with Polearms & 2-handed weapons?
i.e. Halberds, Plancons, Big arse swords & Bills.
Do they get a PoA in melee, or treated just as Heavy infantry, or similar to Dismounted Men-at-arms?

They are all counted as heavy weapon troops. They get a POA against most things at impact and also a POA against most things in melee. They also prevent you being dissadvantaged if your opponent has better armour.

Essentially they are very much like dismounted men at arms but are more vulnerable to missile fire as generally they are only armoured or even just protected (Swiss for example) rather than heavily armoured like men at arms.

Hammy

[whitehorses]

What about Foot armed with Polearms & 2-handed weapons?
i.e. Halberds, Plancons, Big arse swords & Bills.
Do they get a PoA in melee, or treated just as Heavy infantry, or similar to Dismounted Men-at-arms?

They are all counted as heavy weapon troops. They get a POA against most things at impact and also a POA against most things in melee. They also prevent you being dissadvantaged if your opponent has better armour.

Essentially they are very much like dismounted men at arms but are more vulnerable to missile fire as generally they are only armoured or even just protected (Swiss for example) rather than heavily armoured like men at arms.

Hammy

So are these the ones with the best Melee factors?
Shock Foot (Warband), then Pikes, then Dismounted Men-at-Arms, then Heavy Foot?



Cheers,
Jer

[hammy]

So are these the ones with the best Melee factors?
Shock Foot (Warband), then Pikes, then Dismounted Men-at-Arms, then Heavy Foot?

Nearly..

Impact foot - the best against foot but not so hot against mounted (Warband and Legionaries)
Pikemen - Pretty much the best all round but suffer badly if not steady
Offensive spear - good general purpose troops (Hoplites)
Defensive spear - like O spear but only when being charged (Various less enthusiastic spear)
Light spear - A reasonable general purpose option (Assyrians, later Romans)
Heavy weapon - OK at impact, pretty good in melee.

Hammy

[ars_belli]

A related question concerning some of the ratings for Light Foot. The sample army list for Alexandrian Macedonians rates Cretan archers as Superior, Drilled, Unprotected. I think that there is ample evidence to warrant a Quality Rating of Superior, but I wonder about the Drilled rating. Does this refer to their mercenary status? I have difficulty conceiving of any skirmishers as being "drilled," which to my mind suggests in-step formation training, or at least volley fire. Can anyone provide more insight into the designation of Cretans, Rhodians and other skirmishing Light Foot as Drilled?

Many thanks,
Scott K.

[hammy]

Good point.

In practice there is little or no difference between drilled and undrilled skirmishers. I am trying to think where it makes a difference and can't off hand. There is no additional point cost for drilled skirmishers so there is not much difference at most.

Essentially the drilled is refering to the fact they were a well organised body (in this case mercenaries) rather than a rag tab band of light troops.

Hammy

[rbodleyscott]

A related question concerning some of the ratings for Light Foot. The sample army list for Alexandrian Macedonians rates Cretan archers as Superior, Drilled, Unprotected. I think that there is ample evidence to warrent a Quality Rating of Superior, but I wonder about the Drilled rating. Does this refer refer to their mercenary status? I have difficulty conceiving of any skirmishers as being "drilled," which to my mind suggests in-step formation training, or at least volley fire. Can anyone provide more insight into the designation of Cretans, Rhodians and other skirmishing Light Foot as Drilled?

It makes no difference whatsoever under the rules whether Light Foot or Light Horse are designated as Drilled or Undrilled. This is for the reason you state - it is a tactically meaningless distinction for skirmishers. So don't worry about it - they have a training classification for consistency with other types, but it has no effect, and they cost the same in points.

[ars_belli]

Gotcha. Many thanks for the speedy and reassuring replies!

Cheers,
Scott K.