Slitherine

I was contemplating the best way to distribute light horse when using my Catalan Company army. I have two, four stand battlegroups of Albanians (light spear, javelin, sword, average) and two, four stand battlegroups of Turcopoles (average, bow, sword). I've been using these to support one flank of my concentration of Almughavars while they drive their attack in, but I'm thinking it might make more sense, at least in some deployments, to put half the light horse on each flank, holding them in relatively tight to the Almughavar advance (I'm not looking to win the LH skirmisher battle anyway - I just want to hold the flanks long enough for the Almughavars to drive home). If I was to do this, would to make more sense to put one Albanian unit with a Turcopole on each flank, or to put both Turcopoles on one flank with both Albanians on the other? In other words, does one unit of javelin LH complement one unit of bow LH, or is it better to pair up the like troop types if they are separated?

Thanks


Peter C
Sword and Sandal Gaming Blog
http://swordandsandalgaming.blogspot.com/

I think it all depends on your opponent especially how he deploys. Your turcopoles are probably better in melee with the sword versus LF so are a more offensive and better ranged than the jav LH are. However 1 of each does make a nice team especially if he has LH to try and chase you off the flank with.
Its a tough call but would likely depend on the opposing army. I say give it a try and see if it works, if it goes down badly add it to the list of silly things not to do in future battles.
Theory is one thing but table top experience will show exactly how it works out for you.

deadtorius wrote:Your turcopoles are probably better in melee with the sword versus LF so are a more offensive and better ranged than the jav LH are.

The albanians have swords as well. I would mix them. The albanians get a plus at impact that the turks don't they are equal in melee but the turks can shoot from further away. Gives you more options against other LH.

I agree with Phil (whatever he wrote). The Lt Spear at impact gives them the edge.

Or how about the option of getting rid of the Turcopoles entirely then, and having simply four battlegroups of Albanians with the light spear/javelin - two BG's on each wing?

Peter C
Sword and Sandal Gaming Blog
http://swordandsandalgaming.blogspot.com/

Peter, I think that Bow armed LH are a must for any army to be truely viable. The strength here is the mix. I may be wrong but my experience suggests that 2 BG of LH Bow make every army better.

I find using a BG with bow in conjunction with a BG of javelin/light spear works well.
The bow armed LH can sit in front of the enemy cavalry and shoot from a safe distance while the javelin armed LH try to get in shots from a safer location. If they are all javelin armed, they have to come closer to shoot from the front and risk getting caught by enemy cavalry (or even nasty lance armed LH).