Slitherine

I am playing a lot of Italian War skirmish games. I am wondering if anyone has found value in the low quality pike kiels such as the raw French or Italian pike formations. They are inexpensive but they fall apart very quickly in the frontline against regulars or better. They are just as clumsy as any kiel. I am afraid to put them in the frontline and am not really sure what they are good for. So has anyone found a role for them in skirmish games to justify the purchase of one or two?

I never put them in the front line for a start. I move them forward once the tougher opponents forces are otherwise occupied. Raw keils can be good at keeping enemy cavalry at bay but don't let them get exposed on their own! They can be useful on flanks combined with your cavalry and light foot facing similar enemy. Otherwise you can use them as artillery guards; or if you can manage it for rear attacks on the main battle though they will take a while to get in a useful position. If I feel they will get threatened I put them far away out of harms way!

Hope that helps

Richard

Thanks, I have wondered whether they could be useful on the flanks vs cavalry and light troops. Although for the same price, you could probably get two or three additional light cav/foot units. Maybe more useful than a raw kiel on the flanks.