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Legal formation?

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2015 4:02 pm
by Akbar
Would this be ok?

**FFFF
FACCAF
FACCAF
***AA
***AA

**FFFF
FAACCF
FAACCF
*****AA
*****AA

F: Field fortification
A: Arquebus
C: Cannons
What I'm trying to show here is an 8-base BG of Arquebus and 2 artillery bases deployed behind a fortification. Since you are to assume that a BG supporting Artillery is in fact on the same spot (p126), I figures you might deploy them partly alongside, partly behind or even on both sides AND behind as the upper example shows - basically on top of the arty. The arquebus bases would still be in corner-to-corner contact with each other(we run infantry bases 40mm deep, arty 80mm), and while I'm aware that the bases actually behind the artillery cannot shoot, the rest could, and I figured they should be level with the arty - where their fellow Arquebus bases actually are. Would make better use of FF too and look better. So.....am I assuming right? If not, be kind and instructive, I'm very new to this.

Re: Legal formation?

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2015 9:00 pm
by quackstheking
Looks valid to me! :D

The supporting arquebus are assumed to be in the same space as the artillery but are deployed behind for the sake of simplicity.

Don

Re: Legal formation?

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 7:46 am
by ravenflight
quackstheking wrote:Looks valid to me! :D

The supporting arquebus are assumed to be in the same space as the artillery but are deployed behind for the sake of simplicity.

Don
I'm in agreement. Indeed, I tend to push the troops forward at all times as it reminds everyone of where the troops are. To me it's as it SHOULD be.

Re: Legal formation?

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 8:10 am
by kevinj
Yes, I do the same on the rare occasions that I bother to support artillery!

Re: Legal formation?

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 2:40 pm
by Akbar
Thanks all. It may be that supporting artillery is a waste of troops; my experience of FoGR is limited as of now. But i figured that this, particularly the first example, would make them pretty much a fortress that could be deployed up front.

Re: Legal formation?

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 2:59 pm
by ravenflight
Akbar wrote:Thanks all. It may be that supporting artillery is a waste of troops; my experience of FoGR is limited as of now. But i figured that this, particularly the first example, would make them pretty much a fortress that could be deployed up front.
What you'll generally find is that supporting artillery ISN'T worth it. I guess in certain circumstances it can be worthwhile, but generally not. Just keep them safely beind your front line with firing lanes and you should (generally) be ok.

Re: Legal formation?

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 3:05 pm
by Akbar
I guess so.
I just had this idea that it would be a way to deploy light artillery (another point sink, I guess. Medium then.) more or less in the direct path of the enemy center advance, supported by arquebus who might actually be able to shot something from there.

Re: Legal formation?

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 10:41 pm
by ravenflight
give if a go, let us know how it works out.

I had a French Louis XIV army and went with light guns and considered it a 'tax' on running Louis XIV. Ie the more I played them the more I realised that if I don't try to use them, and keep then safely behind my line the more successful I was with the army. I found that whenever I tried to incorporate artillery in some kind of 'combined arms' the more things got complicated & I was less successful.

It was a bit of a unique situation though, as the compulsories in that list account for quite a few points, and I found at 800ap I just didn't have a list I liked if I tried to upgrade to medium artillery.

In your case, I think you will find that people will easily avoid it, and you've sunk a fair number of points in... like around 70 points? That's 1/10th of your points, and the enemy can go 'that looks pretty... we'll go THAT way!'. Now, from a modern military model of the use of barbed wire to funnel the enemy into where you want him, this may be valuable, but as a winning tactic on it's own right I (personally) wouldn't do it. But like I said, try it, and let us know how it works :)

Re: Legal formation?

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 6:05 pm
by Akbar
Will do. The idea is to use it with Spanish (Trastamara or Habsburg) in an infantry-heavy list, trying to dominate the centre with the support of one or two bastions. Competetiveness is not really the issue here. But the funneling has struck my mind, yes.