Slitherine

I'm not sure whether to go with 6 base or 8 base MI archer BGs.
So tactical flexibility Vs fire power?

Any opinions?

If average and you need to use them rather than just provide bulk and rear support must be 8
It's not a case of flexibility or firepower it's about survivability

Thanks for the advice.

I have used them both as 6s and 8s. The extra dice as an 8 pack will sometimes give mounted opponents pause. Unless you are being charged by knights and then you get what you deserve by making them a savory target.

berthier wrote: Unless you are being charged by knights and then you get what you deserve by making them a savory target.

No knights in the Bronze Age (unless you think Heavy Chariots).

In the Bronze Age, you have to then think about all of the shooting that will be had in period. Very few MF archer units are protected in period so that has to be a consideration and then 8s would be preferable.

ochoin wrote:I'm not sure whether to go with 6 base or 8 base MI archer BGs.
So tactical flexibility Vs fire power?

Any opinions?

8 base are far better. Reasons:

When two deep the 8s will shoot 6 dice, the 6s only 4. This becomes important when your battle line breaks up into individual battle groups.
If you have a line of 24 archer bases and lose them all, this is 6 attrition losses if in 8s, 8 attrition losses if in 6s
And the biggest reason: if you are in 6s, only two shooting hits are needed to make you test, whereas 8s need 3 hits to make them test. In bronze age periods there's a lot of light foot; 6s of MF are really quite vulnerable to them, especially when isolated.

However, there are some advantages to 6s. You get more of them, so your army size is bigger. Battle groups in 6s are less wide, so can wheel through a greater angle with a 4MU move.

Thanks for the replies.

One of the things I have always liked about FoG is the tactical nuances. Thinking them through (& running drills when I have time) has enlivened many an hour.

I will go with the 8 bases: easy enough to drop two if circumstances suggest otherwise.

Lots of good advice there. Another point to consider is that a 6 base BG of archers can provide very good value rear support.