Saka allies for Parthains.. Are they worth it?

nigelemsen · Post by **nigelemsen** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:13 am

Hi,

Been looking at parthian, 15mm. Obviously take the 3x 4 elements and 1x 6 elements BG's of catahpracts. looking to take Hatran allies to get Camel cataphracts.. Also noticed the Saka Allies could provide Cv, Bow, swordsmen. In units of 4 would these be worth taking to front against none shooter HF/MF? Also if they do get to go into a flank atleast they will disriupt.

Are Saka's a good addition for the cost of 10pts per element, or are you still better jsut taking more parthian LH? My current list without Saka Allies stands at 16 Bg's. adding Saka units would drop this to around ~13 Bg's for the army..

Thanks
Nigel

philqw78 · Post by **philqw78** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:48 am

Personally I would take the Saka as LH, and possibly a Saka Armd Lancer BG to support them. The problem with using them as Cavalry would be getting them stuck between 2 battle lines of opposing killer troops. They are difficult to manouver out of the way.

daleivan · Post by **daleivan** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:43 pm

philqw78 wrote:Personally I would take the Saka as LH, and possibly a Saka Armd Lancer BG to support them. The problem with using them as Cavalry would be getting them stuck between 2 battle lines of opposing killer troops. They are difficult to manouver out of the way.

I have a Parthian army in the que to paint and wanted to add Saka as well. Originally I was thinking that I'd base the Saka as cav. Thinking about the problems in evading with undrilled cav I'm leaning toward LH. I like the Saka for dealing with sword-armed enemy LH.

Cheers,

Dale

dave_r · Post by **dave_r** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:53 pm

For me the power of the Parthians is the Cataphracts. You don't really want to fight with anything else. Having a couple of BG's of LH, Bow, Swd is only going to get those BG's in trouble as you aren't likely to be able to support them effectively.

Just use them as skirmishing bowmen and if somebody charges run away fast

Just my opinion. I am facing Phil Powell on Monday night (he is using Bactrian Greek) I will let you know how I get on.

nigelemsen · Post by **nigelemsen** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:31 pm

I see what you mean about the Cv option. Thinking through, Swordsmen LH gives an edge (normal) in melee if having to contact other LH/LF. Obvoiusly will be disadvantaged at impact against JLS armed LH/LF.

philqw78 · Post by **philqw78** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:45 pm

will be disadvantaged at impact against JLS armed LH/LF.

You won't be disadvantaged against the LF as you get a plus, in the open though, and the y will get half as many dice in open and uneven.

rbodleyscott · Post by **rbodleyscott** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:33 pm

nigelemsen wrote:I see what you mean about the Cv option. Thinking through, Swordsmen LH gives an edge (normal) in melee if having to contact other LH/LF. Obvoiusly will be disadvantaged at impact against JLS armed LH/LF.

You shouldn't need an edge vs enemy LH with a Parthian army. You will outnumber them so heavily that you can easily shoot them to death.

I wouldn't bother with a Saka ally, just bring more Parthian LH.