Slitherine

Would an army primarily composed of these guys be at all useful? (irregular, average, protected.) Supports would be irregular versions of janissaries (two BGs) and some skirmishing slings and archers.

Ps: just noticed that when you google offensive and spears, Britney comes up quite often.

Perhaps you should put her image on the shields of your army then, might make them have second thoughts about apporaching such an offensive unit.

My army is pike based but I can have some offensive spear units. My favourite is the Thorakites, armoured offensive spear, capable of holding off Romans and quite often giving them a nasty turn. My other options are citizen militia poor offensive spears. All my spears are drilled. Even though they are poor they have managed to hold their own in many games, one time holding back 2 Spanish battle groups with generals and not breaking until reinforcements had arrived and were all set to plug the gap. My guys are all MF, so they can go into the rough terrain where no pike would dare to enter. MF offensive spear armoured is one of the best troop types money can buy. Protected is still good if facing Romans Like I do they will fight on even odds in melee. I would say that an army of those guys would be a tough foe to face. If you have a choice always go drilled, thats my rule of thumb, the abilty to manouver as you wish is well worth the points.

khurasan_miniatures wrote:Would an army primarily composed of these guys be at all useful? (irregular, average, protected.) Supports would be irregular versions of janissaries (two BGs) and some skirmishing slings and archers.

Ps: just noticed that when you google offensive and spears, Britney comes up quite often.

Picts are decent in period, but they're unprotected. They don't have any Bw Sw support, but do need lots of LF to act as bullet catchers.

philqw78 wrote:

khurasan_miniatures wrote:Would an army primarily composed of these guys be at all useful? (irregular, average, protected.) Supports would be irregular versions of janissaries (two BGs) and some skirmishing slings and archers.

Ps: just noticed that when you google offensive and spears, Britney comes up quite often.

Picts are decent in period, but they're unprotected. They don't have any Bw Sw support, but do need lots of LF to act as bullet catchers.

Phil, would they be better if protected?

depends a lot on the army.

The Nan-Zhao list for instance has some cheap spearmen as Unprot/MF/Offensive Spear in 6-10 (8-10?) element BGs. Now alone I might be wary of them, but as cheapish supports for the 4-16 elements of good cavalry and probably 2BGs of Driller/Super/Prot MF Off Sp they are probably handy.

khurasan_miniatures wrote: Phil, would they be better if protected?

Overall I would say no as you get more unprotected guys. They are, however, roadkill for Pikes and protected spear if not. But Protected spear is not a usual competition troop type. If they can hold the impact against mounted or IF swordsmen they are on evens in melee so are very cost effective. But then if..........

Its all swings and roundabouts.