I really like the Kofun Nara range from Khurasan.
Looking at the army list, I just wonder what's the best between
- a pre 400 army with no cavalry but a maximum (even all) the medium foot being superior divided between bowmen and spearmen, or,
- a post 646 army with some superior armoured bow cavalry but the medium foot being only average, bow, light spear.
Pre 400.
4 TC
1 x 8 LF bow poor
1 x 6 LF bow poor
5 x 6 MF bow superior armoured undrilled
4 x 6 MF spear superior protected undrilled
1 x 8 MF spear superior protected undrilled
Post 646
4 TC
2 x 8 LF bow poor
3 x 4 CV sup armoured bow sword undrilled
1 x 4 CV av protected bow sword drilled
5 x 6 MF av armoured bow light spear drilled
1 x 8 MF av armoured bow light spear drilled
The pre 400 looks interesting because of the 10 superior BGs.
The post 646 allows some interesting cavalry but no more superior MF.
Used the early version at warfare last year - in theme, admittedly - 3 of the top 4 were k-N. As you'd expect it is great against mounted, although lancers can be a problem. If you use this then its worth having the ally - gives you a bg of LH and also some drilled foot. The main risk is that you end up facing heavy foot or impact medium foot.
I am trying the later version out next week, will see how it does.
Early list was
Pacified Emishi LF Unprotected Poor Undrilled Bow - - - 6
Pacified Emishi LF Unprotected Poor Undrilled Bow - - - 6
Nobles and Retainers with bow MF Armoured Superior Undrilled Bow - - - 8
Nobles and Retainers with Spears MF Protected Superior Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 6
Korean provincial Spearmen MF Protected Average Drilled - Heavy Weapon Heavy Weapon - 3
Korean Provincial Archers MF Protected Average Drilled Bow - - - 3
Korean provincial Spearmen MF Protected Average Drilled - Heavy Weapon Heavy Weapon - 3
Korean Provincial Crossbowmen MF Protected Average Drilled Crossbow - - - 3
Nobles and Retainers with Spears MF Protected Superior Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 6
Korean Horse Archers LH Unprotected Average Drilled Bow - Swordmen - 4
Nobles and Retainers with bow MF Armoured Superior Undrilled Bow - - - 6
Nobles and Retainers with Spears MF Protected Superior Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 6
Nobles and Retainers with bow MF Armoured Superior Undrilled Bow - - - 6
Nobles and Retainers with bow MF Armoured Superior Undrilled Bow - - - 6
Nobles and Retainers with Spears MF Protected Superior Undrilled - Offensive spearmen Spearmen - 6
C-in-C TC - - - - - - CinC 1
Sub-commander TC - - - - - - - 1
Sub-commander TC - - - - - - - 1
Korean Ally General TC - - - - - - Ally general 1
As promised, here are some views on the later version of the list (post 646).
Firstly, it's hard to see why anyone would pick the middle version (400-645), except to save points. The foot aren't superior and they aren't drilled. due to the competition rules the pre 400 list was ineligible, so I tried out the later, drilled version.
The army I picked was:
4x8 MF Av armoured bow, 1/2 with Lt Spear
2x6 MF Av Protected bow, 1/2 with Lt Spear
4 CV, Bow, Sword, Superior, Armoured, Undrilled
4 MF Bow, Sword, Superior. ARmoured
6 LF Poor B
8LF Poor B
3TC
2x6 Korean MF, Protected 1/2 HW, 1/2 CB
4 LH B Sw
Ally TC
The Koreans provided a bit of variety, and I considered them a possible anti-knight/cataphract force. I'd keep them because the LH is definitley useful. The protected bow were picked partly with a view to cheap rear support, although it rarely worked out that way. That said, having the main foot units as 8's made a big difference.
The LF is less useful in this army than most, Unless you can find a steep hill or suchlike they are often better behind the main line where they may be able to help pick off anyone who breaks through (from a discreet distance of course). Still worth having because they are so cheap.
Good foot needs to be disrupted before it hits you, ideally the same is true of mounted but with the lt spear you are only one down at impact(against non-lancers you are even) so if you roll well at impact that can make the difference. Uneven work well but only the most impetuous (or desparate) mounted will charge you in it.
Essentially this army works by bullying LH/LF, which should leave you with a numerical edge against enemy battle troops. Non armoured cavalry will also run scared unless the enemy have an IC.
How do you use the Korean LH ?
On a wing to slow down the ennemy and attack on the other wing or in front of your main line in order to move it faster ?
