Slitherine

Afternoon all,

My question has to do with bow supporting heavier troops from the 3rd rank. An example would be the Later Roman Legionary that have a 3rd rank of bow. Per the rules, they can only shoot in support of the first ranks during hand to hand. Part of the problem is, all troops must be of the same quality, and armor within the BG. So, here is the rest of the problem. The rules states that only light troops and MI bow can support shoot from the 3rd rank. In that case, my Legionaries have to be MI and I can not up grade them to HI and retain the benefit of the bow. Personally, no problem playing with MI for the Late Romans as I believe most of the Legionaries were MI by that time. I would like to have however, the ability to up grade troops to heavier armor when I deem it necessary.

I'm I wrong in my understanding?

I look forward to your response on this question.

Captainjack

You are allowed to mix different types (HF/MF/LF) in a battle group.

Archers supporting legionarii will be LF.

nikgaukroger wrote:You are allowed to mix different types (HF/MF/LF) in a battle group.

Provided that this is specifically allowed by the army list.

captainjack75040 wrote: In that case, my Legionaries have to be MI and I can not up grade them to HI and retain the benefit of the bow. Personally, no problem playing with MI for the Late Romans as I believe most of the Legionaries were MI by that time. I would like to have however, the ability to up grade troops to heavier armor when I deem it necessary.

Rating as HF or MF has nothing whatever to do with armour level.

Roman legionaries are HF. Some are Armoured and some are Protected. Some can have LF archers in support. (As specified in their list).

Afternoon,

I can see on page 82 where it states only a 3rd rank of LF can shoot in support of foot and the Impact Phase listing of what troops can fight and support, shows the LF can only do so against CAV. A second rank of bow and so forth could shoot during Impact.

I'm also glad to see that different armour type can fight in mix BGs. I assume this is based on data of Historical ARmies that did so and must be army list specific to do so. I also found on page 22 it states the same rational on the right side of the page first paragraph. I look forward to picking up the army list books concerning Late Romans and Byzantines. Currenly using 6th Ed. and Warrior Army List books for my army organization.

Thanks for everyone's response to my question and concern.

Yours truly,

Captainjack (The beatings will continue until morale improves)
Aubrey Jack Young
417-368-0601

THe support-shooting LF third-rankers can only shoot in the impact phase but can shoot at all MOUNTED, so can (try to) hit more than just cavalry.

However, if for some reason the LF are not deployed as a third rank (say on one flank of the BG), they may have a wider use in shooting but will make the BG more vulnerable in combat, especially to mounted in the open.

IMO, those third-rankers are of value as a "cheap" way to enlarge the size of a BG, often more valuable for that reason than their contribution to the impact combat!

Martin