Slitherine

I was reading the Madaxeman lists and noticed Tim fielded some of these units. I was wondering how do they deploy ?

Are they 4 wide 2 deep, or do the Pike form up 4 deep with 2 shot on either side of them ?

Cheers

That's how Tim deployed them.

In the rules under Battle Group Formations only the rearmost rank can have fewer bases (therefore I assume it cannot have only 1 pike file 4 deep and to be a keil the Pike would have to be 2 wide). On P&S battle groups the rules (p33 1st bullet) says "The pike bases must be together in a single rectangle in edge contact with one another at least 2 ranks deep etc". Therefore in a 4 pike and 4 shot battlegroup, the pike must be 2 wide and 2 deep with 2 sleeves of 2 shot.

In the French infantry battlgroups available in the Catholic list where you can have between 4 and 12 pike plus 4-8 shot.I assume that in a 6 pike/4 shot battlegroup, the pike could either be 3 wide and 2 deep OR 2 wide and 3 deep, both with 2 sleeves of shot with 2 sleeves of shot. Once you get to 8 pike and 4 shot then the pike could be 4 wide 2 deep or 2 wide and 4 deep.

I wonder if theoretically that means you could have a 16 base GBG you could have 12 pike 6 wide and 2 deep with 2 sleeves of shot? An amazing 8 wide formation that would be a pain to manoevre but great for rear support!!! lol

You pays your money and takes your choice!!

quackstheking wrote: In the rules under Battle Group Formations only the rearmost rank can have fewer bases (therefore I assume it cannot have only 1 pike file 4 deep and to be a keil the Pike would have to be 2 wide). On P&S battle groups the rules (p33 1st bullet) says "The pike bases must be together in a single rectangle in edge contact with one another at least 2 ranks deep etc". Therefore in a 4 pike and 4 shot battlegroup, the pike must be 2 wide and 2 deep with 2 sleeves of 2 shot.

Surely 4 deep one wide also fulfils these criteria ?

The Spanish colunelas are allowed to form up 2 sh next to 4 deep pk & hw. Can you mix & match the formations to aid support ?

Hi Tim,

That was my initial understanding and interpretation. What has confused me is p28 of Battle Group formations where it says "The rearmost rank of a battlegroup or rectangle within a battlegroup can have any number of bases provided these are fewer or equal in numbers to the other ranks".

If this means just the rectangle then you can be 1x4; if it applies to the whole battle group then I ssuame not. Personally I would prefer to have the choice!!

If yes then there's another interesting question - can the pike within the battlegroup expand and contract from 1 wide 4 deep to 2 wide and 2 deep and viceversa?! The commentary on Expansions and contractions appears to say no as expansions and contractions talk about expanding to the side of the battlegroup, not the rectangle within the battlegroup!

quackstheking wrote:Hi Tim,

That was my initial understanding and interpretation. What has confused me is p28 of Battle Group formations where it says "The rearmost rank of a battlegroup or rectangle within a battlegroup can have any number of bases provided these are fewer or equal in numbers to the other ranks".

If this means just the rectangle then you can be 1x4; if it applies to the whole battle group then I ssuame not. Personally I would prefer to have the choice!!

You have the choice.

Fantastic Richard - thanks.

Can the pike block expand and contract between the two as well?

Don

I belive the answer is no. Look at pages 62 and 63, Expansions, Contractions and Formation Changes. You cannot do any of them, to alter the pike.

quackstheking wrote:Can the pike block expand and contract between the two as well?

Probably the only way to do it would be to turn 90 degrees into a column, then turn back again next turn.

Used the Lorrainers 4 deep and found they were ok,going to try thrm 4 wide & see if they work better with an overlap.

Scrumpy wrote:Used the Lorrainers 4 deep and found they were ok,going to try thrm 4 wide & see if they work better with an overlap.

Four wide supporting artillery.