Slitherine

Hi All

Played my first game containing Bolt Shooters yesterday.

I suppose I assumed that artillery was "killed" as soon as contacted but in fact they have their own PoAs, get to roll a fair few dice and in this game routed a BG of Numidian Javelinmen.

What was the historical thinking behind this?

(I know artillery is a bit of a headache for any rule writer and period!)

Eques wrote:Hi All

Played my first game containing Bolt Shooters yesterday.

I suppose I assumed that artillery was "killed" as soon as contacted but in fact they have their own PoAs, get to roll a fair few dice and in this game routed a BG of Numidian Javelinmen.

What was the historical thinking behind this?

(I know artillery is a bit of a headache for any rule writer and period!)

Well, I imagine that crews would tend to abandon their 'guns' but perhaps wouldn't. Also, remember that the rules are based around 'battle groups', but that's not to say a small contingent of guards may not be present but not enough to be portrayed on the games table (unless you buy troops for that role).

I don't remember the factors for this, but I think, from memory, that they generally have a POA against them AND (unless supported) will generally have more dice against them.

So, generally, you're going to lose them.

How did the javelinmen come into contact with artillery? Aren't they LF? LF can never charge unbroken enemy, unless not in open terrain.

Attacking artillery is usually safe with a half decent unit if you can get into contact or the artillery is unsupported.

It is the walk into combat that is unforgiving. But about anything like a sword that generates a POA should do it the artillery.

gozerius wrote:How did the javelinmen come into contact with artillery? Aren't they LF? LF can never charge unbroken enemy, unless not in open terrain.

V1

Eques wrote:Hi All

Played my first game containing Bolt Shooters yesterday.

I suppose I assumed that artillery was "killed" as soon as contacted but in fact they have their own PoAs, get to roll a fair few dice and in this game routed a BG of Numidian Javelinmen.

What was the historical thinking behind this?

(I know artillery is a bit of a headache for any rule writer and period!)

I think it's simply that they didn't want another special rule. FOG Renaissance has rules whereby unsupported artillery are captured but it takes a fair few words in the rules to cover it.

Generally, artillery is sufficiently weak in hand to hand combat that it dies almost immediately against battle troops

grahambriggs wrote: FOG Renaissance has rules whereby unsupported artillery are captured but it takes a fair few words in the rules to cover it.

Indeed... and it's probably the worst part of the rules with problems arising because of it.

ravenflight wrote:

grahambriggs wrote: FOG Renaissance has rules whereby unsupported artillery are captured but it takes a fair few words in the rules to cover it.

Indeed... and it's probably the worst part of the rules with problems arising because of it.

Yeah, although to be fair, having attempted to write a few rules myself for different periods it is difficult to know how to handle this aspect!

Eques wrote:Yeah, although to be fair, having attempted to write a few rules myself for different periods it is difficult to know how to handle this aspect!

Yup. I think it basically goes with 'they aren't great fighters but they can fight, so give the attacker the chance but no guarantee.