Mapuche Indians - mixed formations

[DeadEd]

Hi, I am a little confused how the Mapuche Indians mixed formations would work.

If I had a Unit of 8 bases;
1. Can I have a front rank of Pike followed by 2 bases of Bow then a 4th rank of Pike
2. If so can both ranks of bow fire?
3. If that is the case do you count the distance for shooting from the front (pike) rank?

Pike | Pike
Bow | Bow
Bow | Bow
Pike| Pike

or would it be
Pike| Pike|Pike|Pike
Bow| Bow| Bow|Bow

or
Pike|Pike
Pike|Pike
Bow| Bow
Bow| Bow

And if this can both ranks of bow shoot?

Thanks.

[ravenflight]

Hi, I am a little confused how the Mapuche Indians mixed formations would work.

If I had a Unit of 8 bases;
1. Can I have a front rank of Pike followed by 2 bases of Bow then a 4th rank of Pike
2. If so can both ranks of bow fire?
3. If that is the case do you count the distance for shooting from the front (pike) rank?

Pike | Pike
Bow | Bow
Bow | Bow
Pike| Pike

or would it be
Pike| Pike|Pike|Pike
Bow| Bow| Bow|Bow

or
Pike|Pike
Pike|Pike
Bow| Bow
Bow| Bow

And if this can both ranks of bow shoot?

Thanks.

I feel the intent of the rule is to have 1 rank of pike with bow behind. I haven't read through the rules per se regarding a third rank shooting, but I'm pretty sure only a first and second rank (not third) can shoot. So, you could have the formation you're asking about, but you would only get 1 rank shooting. Such formations can be good for absorbing casualties.

[DeadEd]

Thanks for the reply - but i would really like to get a more definitive answer if anybody knows?

Regards.

[list_lurker]

only the first 2 ranks can ever fire (p109 3rd bullet)

The 'other' mixed BG - like Mapuche - have to have the front rank with the melee weapon, 2 rank shooter. The other ranks (or partial) can be in whatever mix you want, but as they can't shoot its not really much point to put the bow in the 3rd rank. The only complication would be base removal as a result of casualties - or feeding more bases into the fight. Worth reading p 151 on base removal, I suspect there might be some nasty issue with legal formations being maintained as a result of removing a front rank casualty. Any third rank in a mixed BG will cause issues with this I'm guessing.

I think it just trying to prevent ahistoric deployment with penalties.

thanks
Simon

[nikgaukroger]

What Simon said.

[ravenflight]

What Simon said.

... and what Ravenflight said too!!!