Field Fortifications Ploy: Now With Pics!! :)

[Blathergut]

Has anyone used FF to deploy Roman heavies (or other troops in other armies capable of deploying FF) 15 MU in? Is this considered an acceptable ploy or a bit 'cheesy' ?? For 6 pts, three 4paks could be deployed in column (2 up, 1 behind) behind 2 FF at 15MU. Repeated with a second group of 3 4paks could see the Roman heavies almost 2 moves ahead, esp. w first move. Anyone use this?

[nikgaukroger]

Acceptable

[DaiSho]

I'd vote it acceptable cheese.

I think you'll get a lot of 'rolls of eyes' etc, but perfectly ok to do ... just a little on the smelly side .

[spike]

Anyone use this?

Yes

[deadtorius]

Anyone use this?

Me thinks I am looking at the latest Roman cheesiness. Better be nice or I will keep the scythed chariots safely at home

[Ghaznavid]

The 2 BGs in column directly behind the FF are certainly fine, the 3rd one behind them is a tad smelly. Technically one could even make it 4 BGs in two columns behind the FF, legal using the raw, still ...

[MARVIN_THE_ARVN]

Its no more chessy than any other element of the rules or the lists in my humble opinion as you pay for the fortifications and I assume other armies could do the same if they can pick FF.

Let loose the legions!!!

[madaxeman]

...but where does all this "pak" business come from, thats what I want to know?

[nikgaukroger]

Some sort of ghastly foreign thing I'm afraid. Best avoided

[Blathergut]

...but where does all this "pak" business come from, thats what I want to know?

must come from eating too many mooseburgers

hey...we have to deal with gnat's todgers!!!...and 'cheesiness'...and *thinks...should make a list of Brit expressions'...

But in truth...thanks to the authors and all who had a hand in the rules. They are amazingly argueless and enjoyable!

[Polkovnik]

...but where does all this "pak" business come from, thats what I want to know?

I've been wondering the same thing for some time. What's wrong with saying "a 6 base BG" ? They're figures, not cans of beer !

[grahambriggs]

...but where does all this "pak" business come from, thats what I want to know?

That's us, only we've lost the tree-of-life. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pak_Protector

[Blathergut]

Here's initial deployment. At left, hree Roman 4paks in column behind 2 FF + a LF slingers BG beside. Same repeated on right. Commander with each BL.
(Roman View)


Enemy View

[Blathergut]

Both Roman BLs double move.

(Roman View)


Enemy View


Enemy has a couple MU more than a single LF move. The LH 7MU move took them just out of 6MU to enemy.

[Blathergut]

The Roman slingers move first. Each column moves their 5MU and expands by two bases, to left or to right. The frontal Roman 4paks do not quite 3MU, expanding by a base each, left or right, depending on position. The rear 4paks stay just out of the 3MU range and commanders advance.

Roman View


Enemy View (Before they move.)


Feels like how a Roman army would move and deploy. Advanced preparation of battlefield?

[Polkovnik]

The Roman slingers move first. Each column moves their 5MU and expands by two bases, to left or to right.

The move with the slingers is not legal. You expand before moving, and you can't do it in this situation.

I'm not sure what the point of the diagrams is anyway. If you did that in a game you'd be flanked very quickly.
The main reason for wanting to deploy further on the table would be if you're facing shooty troops, in which case there's no need for rear support. You'd be better with the other legion BGs extending the line.

It would probably work better if the FF were at the edge of the central third, with cavalry support on the outside. You could then push quickly forward and take that flank.

[Blathergut]

The Roman slingers move first. Each column moves their 5MU and expands by two bases, to left or to right.

The move with the slingers is not legal. You expand before moving, and you can't do it in this situation.

I'm not sure what the point of the diagrams is anyway. If you did that in a game you'd be flanked very quickly.
The main reason for wanting to deploy further on the table would be if you're facing shooty troops, in which case there's no need for rear support. You'd be better with the other legion BGs extending the line.

It would probably work better if the FF were at the edge of the central third, with cavalry support on the outside. You could then push quickly forward and take that flank.

Hmmm...never noticed that about expansions! Learn something each day!

They wouldn't move like this in isolation...would be stuff moving on the flanks as well. Point is just to get the heavies into things sooner since they often do have to worry about flanks! Point was to just illustrate an idea. Generate discussion. Achieved something with pointing out the expansion thingie.

[Polkovnik]

Here's initial deployment. At left, hree Roman 4paks in column behind 2 FF + a LF slingers BG beside. Same repeated on right. Commander with each BL.

These aren't battle lines. The supporting BGs are not in full edge to edge contact so aren't part of a battle line with the front two BGs.

[Blathergut]

Here's initial deployment. At left, hree Roman 4paks in column behind 2 FF + a LF slingers BG beside. Same repeated on right. Commander with each BL.

These aren't battle lines. The supporting BGs are not in full edge to edge contact so aren't part of a battle line with the front two BGs.

p30 says 'at least partial edge to edge contact'

[Polkovnik]

Point is just to get the heavies into things sooner since they often do have to worry about flanks! .

But by getting the heavies into action sooner you create flank trouble. Other HF won't keep up and cavalry can only keep up if they are double moving with a general also.

You have 7 BGs (the majority of your army) covering only 13% of the table width. That leaves a lot of open space.

Also, once your opponent has seen you do this once, the placement of your FF will give away your deployment. He can then deploy to avoid it and you've wasted points on the FF.