Slitherine

Parthian shots are at a minus POA so unlikely to even generate a Cohesion Test - but they are annoying. However, Parthian tactics are supposed to be annoying, to Romans in particular.

On the topic of cavarly scheme, note that formed horsemen (Cavalry) move 5 and unformed horsement (LH) move 7. Formed infantry move 3, loose move 4, and unformed (LF) move 5. If the Cavalry were to break formation they could move 7, but you can't afford to do that in the face of other enemy (i.e., FoG battle situation).

Parthian shots are at a minus POA so unlikely to even generate a Cohesion Test - but they are annoying. However, Parthian tactics are supposed to be annoying, to Romans in particular.

But they were generating cohesion tests! The thing about it was that there was a far more likely chance that the romans would break before they did anything to the Numidians. We didn' play to the end because of time constraints, but the romans were fragmented with at least half a board left. Admittedly, the numidians were on a - when firing backwards and I see no problem with this; the problem is being able to turn around and fire again whilst being charged at full speed by the enemy. How can they? The rules say they can.

Brainsnaffler wrote: To add another issue into the mix: in a game last night, Roman cavalry were chasing numidian light horse. Same principal as light foot, but the horsemen could fire backwards whilst retreating, so they could move up, fire, evade, fire turn fire, evade fire and so on.

Don't forget that evaders & chargers can't shoot in the turn they evade / charge (p 81, 2nd parpa under Movement & Shooting).

So whilst evading you can't shoot.

Doh, doh and doh again!

Of course I didn't see that Perhaps that makes it much better!

But they were generating cohesion tests! The thing about it was that there was a far more likely chance that the romans would break before they did anything to the Numidians. We didn' play to the end because of time constraints, but the romans were fragmented with at least half a board left. Admittedly, the numidians were on a - when firing backwards and I see no problem with this; the problem is being able to turn around and fire again whilst being charged at full speed by the enemy. How can they? The rules say they can.


Can Numidians even fire to the rear? I thought it was Bow only not Jav. Also, shooting to the front they can shoot with both ranks (one dice for two ranks of LH shooting), but shooting to the rear only with one rank correct? In this case I have found shooting to the rear almost pointless....
I don't know how your Romans had any trouble unless it was multiple battlegroups / superior numbers - which is the only way I have found the Numidians effective - swarming an isolated BG of the enemy.

OK no rules to hand but IIRC any LH with shooting capability can shoot to the rear and I believe it is also with 2 ranks - it is normal shooting with a - PoA.

LH and LF have a hard time forcing cohesion tests on decent-sized heavy infantry formations.
With only one dice per 2 bases, they need to roll very well against a formation of 8 bases to force a CT.
(on average, they will need 6 dice = 12 bases firing to force a CT).
6 base formations are more vulnerable - which is a good argument for keeping your heavy infantry in the largest unit size your army list allows.

OK no rules to hand but IIRC any LH with shooting capability can shoot to the rear and I believe it is also with 2 ranks - it is normal shooting with a - PoA.

Correct - you can also shoot to the rear with light chariots.

Parthian shot against armoured foot is going to be on 6's to hit. Forcing a CT is not going to be easy.

One of the good ways to bolster a BG that is under fire is to charge and drive off skirmishers which will often mean there will be nothing available to shoot at you so you can bolster your troops. It works best for shock troops as disrupted shock troops can still charge without a test.

the problem is being able to turn around and fire again whilst being charged at full speed by the enemy. How can they? The rules say they can.

They can't. See earlier post. Chargers and evaders cannot shoot in the turn of the charge. Next turn they can turn around and shoot, which gives the turn of the charge to try and bolster the cav in the JAP.