Colunela Shot

[jonphilp]

Looking at the Colunela formation shown on page 34 of the FOGR rulebook (Heavy weapon base in front of 2 shot bases to the side of 3 pike bases) the question has been raised can the shot be used in the shooting phase. We can not find any specific rules in the army list or rule book overriding the rule on page 109 that states "other troops shoot only with bases in the 1st or 2nd ranks". Can this formation use their shoot in a similar way to the mixed formations used by the Chinese in FOGam , ie have a melee unit in front but in the shooting phase take the front base to be the missle armed unit in the second rank. Or is it the case that the front base blocks one or both shot units from shooting. We are still trying to make the Colunela formation work. Unfortunately the canny Swiss generals to date have declined to charge into any Spanish fortifications and in the open the Colunela's have tended to be speed bumps.

[Scrumpy]

Not got my rules, but I thought the Colunela was 3 wide, 2 shot 3 Pike & 1 Sword ?

[hazelbark]

I believe the rules state they need to be in the 1st and 2nd ranks to fire. I don't have the diagram you mention in front of me.

Usually the deployment is facing up:

PS
PS
PH

In this case if facing up the two shot (S) can fire.

[jonphilp]

Hi,

The colunela formation in the rule book is looking to the top :

SW Pk (front)
Arq Pk
Arq Pk

Hence the question. (sorry the Heavy Weapon came from writing out a Ming list whilst thinking about the Spanish- it has been a long day)

[panda2]

From the text (and illustration) on p.34 it is definately a legal formation.

The paragraph on ranges on p106 definately envisages troops in the second rank shooting where the front rank is not missile armed (and in several lists, such as Kalmar Union, Early Danish, Early Polish, such a formation is compulsory).

As you've already noted on p.109 troops other than artillery and horse with pistol can shoot with bases in the first and second rank.

I'd therefor conclude that the shot in the second rank can shoot, but not the shot in the third rank .

Andy

[Vespasian28]

Hi Jon,

Interesting point. Not sure why you would want the Swd/Hw in front of the shot but presumably one shot could still fire. As you know I normally have the Swd as a fourth rank of pike but by putting the Swd behind the shot they then have the option of overlapping which they don't behind the pike.

Thinking about another classic historical matchup up of Ming versus Spanish then?

[hazelbark]

Interesting point. Not sure why you would want the Swd/Hw in front of the shot but presumably one shot could still fire. As you know I normally have the Swd as a fourth rank of pike but by putting the Swd behind the shot they then have the option of overlapping which they don't behind the pike.

Let's see. If you were attacking bow. You want armour in front to reduce their shooting. And you get a POA in impact and melee. So might be worth it for attacking Ming Bow.