Slitherine

Hello to all Swiss commanders. I have begin to expand my Swiss to make an army on they own and I will like some advice . I’m thinking on a pass 1490 army for the Italian wars. My principal concern is about the pike BGs. I have them in 8 bases and I wonder how useful could be on 12 or even 10. Thanks to all in advance.

I think BGs in 8 would be enough... against shooting enemies you could advance having front of 3.
They are expensive BGs, better having a bit more!

John Martin won a US comp with Swiss Pike in BGs of 8 (but he had 64 bases worth!). Go 8s and be brave.

That's not true, they came in second.


JM

JM,

RATS - got caught out bigging you up!

You are correct but I was trying to give confidence to our socio in the glories of the swiss pike block.

Regards
Tim

Keep them small.
They are easy to manover and can support each other. If you are worried to much get some halbders to attach to there rear.

Quite scary.

Lynda came 6 th at the Challenge with them in 8's,12's 2 would make the army too small plus they would probably lose the ability to turn and be in the same formation
David

12 pikes cant turn and stay in the block, you would end up with 2 bases by 6 deep, then have to expand if possible. Stick to 8's, I have resisted the 12's and my pikes do quite well usually

deadtorius wrote:12 pikes cant turn and stay in the block, you would end up with 2 bases by 6 deep, then have to expand if possible. Stick to 8's, I have resisted the 12's and my pikes do quite well usually

My experience, FWIW, is that it can be useful to have one BG as a 12. That makes it more useful to have a general lead from the front in combat. I tend to buy the rest as 8s.

Marc

I have run BG's of 10 before (not Swiss). While it seems like a waste of points to start with, it is very worthwhile when you start taking losses - you still can keep your 3rd and 4th rank POA's. I wouldn't do it all the time, but sometimes it just works.

Also, very enoyable to see the smile wiped off your opponents face when he realizes that base he just killed doesn't gain him any advantage


John

recharge wrote:I have run BG's of 10 before (not Swiss). While it seems like a waste of points to start with, it is very worthwhile when you start taking losses - you still can keep your 3rd and 4th rank POA's. I wouldn't do it all the time, but sometimes it just works.

10s can be good for pikes but are a bit of a luxury with Swiss. 2 extra pike is a fair proportion of the cost of a BG of 4 halberdiers and is the cost of a BG of 4 handgunners.

8s definitely for Swiss pike, being superior...otherwise as said you just have too few units.

My Swiss army is not tweaked for specific competition play.. just gives the right look and feel of for the pikes with 2hct sleaves..

4x tcs
1x bg of 4x lf,xb
1x bg of 4x LH, xb (coz I can and its different).
4x bgs of 8x HF, Prot, Superior, Heavy Weapon
1x bg of 12x HF, Prot, Superior, Heavy Weapon
2x bgs of 10x HF,Superior,Pike.