Colunelas

[Akbar]

I'm sorry for lifting such a minor thing as these flimsy Spanish firmations, but is there any way to fix them slightly? It seems a bit harsh that artillery should get +1 to hit, they are a really puny target compared to a deep keil or a proper tercio. Yes I know, they are four deep in one rank and so they should get it, but really? If I recall history correctly, they were relatively effective units. Maybe if they got the option to add one more base of swords, after all, their proportion should be pretty close to the number of pikes/arquebus. Yes I'm biased. Still think I've got a point.

[timmy1]

I agree with the concern. I would like the +1 artillery shooting against 4 deep targets to only apply where there are two or more files 4 or more deep in the target BG. I understand it makes the rule more complex but it helps these troops and BGs that have lost a LOT of bases.

[benjones1211]

Perhaps it should be changed to any unit with 2 or more files at depth 3 or more, or 1 file at depth 4 or more. I always though that a Late Tercio that's taken 3 hits and is now 6 strong is a bit hard done by, by still being hit on 4's by artillery despite the fact its no bigger than a P&S. That would then mean TYW Swedish P&S would be exempt and the final reason to charge +2 points per BG would be removed, and so that could be making TYW Swedes more usable. Would also mean those Average Horse could form column w/o being a juicier target once they had lost a base.

[timmy1]

Works for me.

[Akbar]

Perhaps it should be changed to any unit with 2 or more files at depth 3 or more, or 1 file at depth 4 or more.

From these suggestions I'd like 2 files x 3 bases better, since the other does not help the colunela at all.

[benjones1211]

If we make it just 2x3 or more then columns of Horse will come back, currently when a 4 man unit becomes a column its hit on 3, the number of times people are scared to form column just because guns are around. Which suspect was not so much the case then.

[Akbar]

True. Another wording then, that would let the colunelas of the hook?

[ravenflight]

"foot with 2 files 3 or more ranks deep, or any mounted or mixed bg's 3 ranks deep" +

(edited to add mixed to cover possible changes in commanded shot

[Akbar]

Works for me.

[madaxeman]

If artillery end up deploying sooner, is this still an issue?

[Vespasian28]

I would say yes as the whole point was about colunelas with a single deep file being the same target as tercios and kiels with multiple and deeper files that make a genuinely juicy artillery target.

[Akbar]

I don't see anything that changes the predicament of the Colunelas if the artillery deploys sooner. The Colunelas are still gonna be up front center, most likely.

[nikgaukroger]

OK, we've had a ponder about this issue and I'm afraid that for this update it isn't a major enough issue to be included. We'd rather concentrate on the bigger issues that affect more of the game and get those right, an issue that affects a couple of army lists doesn't really meet that criteria.

We appreciate the fact that the issue was raised as it is good to air them, but we need to keep the update focused.

Maybe at a future date (but no promises).

[ravenflight]

Just a quick last minute salvo, It would also affect the French Hougenot. I'm not sure if it would affect others. Just pointing out that the rule raised BECAUSE of Colunrlas don't necessarily affect ONLY Colunelas.

[Vespasian28]

Dead and buried but still annoying so to get this off my chest.

If we changed to "two files" it would also mitigate the quite common redeploying a 6 pack P&S, forms column and then travels parallel to artillery but is still a juicy target as three deep.

Plus, back to colunelas. A colunela is next to a 16 strong kiel over twice its size and depth. Guess which gets shot at? Makes no sense at all.

[Jhykronos]

Plus, back to colunelas. A colunela is next to a 16 strong kiel over twice its size and depth. Guess which gets shot at? Makes no sense at all.

Artillery in this game is somewhat more intelligent than they probably should be. Probably to make up for the fact that the targets are also more intelligent...

Do we even have any good descriptions how the Colunellas actually functioned on the battlefield? I know a lot of progress has been made on the Tercio (though there is a way to go there... rules still have the mangas nailed to the corners for the whole battle), but there isn't a whole lot about the earlier formations at all.

Given the evolution to the Tercio/Spanish Squadron, it wouldn't surprise me much if the Colunellas were generally brigaded into bigger formations anyway.