I have been mulling over what the "starting amy" should be for those of us involved in the "Wars for Arcadian Glory" (WAG for short). I don't want to set it too high; but I also want to encourage us to paint more figures.
My thought is that some units can "stand in" for (as yet) unpainted units . . . but they will play with the morale of the unit they are standing in for. I envision early battles only needing a few units . . . but as time goes on, battles should get bigger and bigger.
Also please note that all troops raised after those below will start with a morale rating of "Raw".
The Foot
Since the heart of virtually all 18th century armies was their foot . . . and since, in period, it was by far the most numerous troop type . . . each army will be authorized (and presumed) to have started with the following:
Battalions of Infantry -- Each army starts with six (6) battalions of "line" infantry (each up to six stands of four figures). Four of these will be rated "Veteran"; one will be rated "Elite"; and one will be rated "Raw".
Note that each of these battalions may have one company of Grenadiers as part of its unit. Such grenadiers may be used to form temporary "converged grenadier" units, which will have a morale rating one level higher than the worst unit contributing to it. Such "converged grenadier" units do not maintain any "history" since they are not permanent.
Also, up to two of the initial "line battalions" may be irregular troops (which also have 4 figures per company base in a diamond pattern -- but which never have any grenadier companies).
Standing Grenadiers -- Each army will start with one battalion of "standing grenadiers". This unit will begin the campaign rated "Elite". They never contribute to the temporary "converged grenadier" units.
Light Foot -- Each army starts with two "Skirmishing Foot" units (each has up to six stands of two figures each). While these are generally rifle-armed jagers, they might be something else. One of these units will have a morale of "Veteran" and one of "Raw".
Since the heart of virtually all 18th century armies was their foot . . . and since, in period, it was by far the most numerous troop type . . . each army will be authorized (and presumed) to have started with the following:
Battalions of Infantry -- Each army starts with six (6) battalions of "line" infantry (each up to six stands of four figures). Four of these will be rated "Veteran"; one will be rated "Elite"; and one will be rated "Raw".
Note that each of these battalions may have one company of Grenadiers as part of its unit. Such grenadiers may be used to form temporary "converged grenadier" units, which will have a morale rating one level higher than the worst unit contributing to it. Such "converged grenadier" units do not maintain any "history" since they are not permanent.
Also, up to two of the initial "line battalions" may be irregular troops (which also have 4 figures per company base in a diamond pattern -- but which never have any grenadier companies).
Standing Grenadiers -- Each army will start with one battalion of "standing grenadiers". This unit will begin the campaign rated "Elite". They never contribute to the temporary "converged grenadier" units.
Light Foot -- Each army starts with two "Skirmishing Foot" units (each has up to six stands of two figures each). While these are generally rifle-armed jagers, they might be something else. One of these units will have a morale of "Veteran" and one of "Raw".
Mounted Troops
Remember that "Tricorne Wars" has two broad classifications of mounted troops -- "Heavy Horse" and "Other Horse". The former is the "true cavalry" of the period; while "Other Horse" is generally Dragoons and/or Hussars.
Each army starts with a total of four mounted regiments (each, regardless of type, will have up to four stands of three figures each). One of these will be rated "Elite"; two of which will be rated "Veteran"; and one will start with a morale rating of "Raw". It will be the Player's choice as to how he wishes to distribute these ratings.
Heavy Horse -- Each army starts with two regiments of "Heavy Horse". These may be curassiers but don't have to be.
Other Horse -- Each army starts with two regiments of "Other Horse". Usually these are either Dragoons and/or Hussars but might include some other lighter forms of mounted troops.
Each army starts with a total of four mounted regiments (each, regardless of type, will have up to four stands of three figures each). One of these will be rated "Elite"; two of which will be rated "Veteran"; and one will start with a morale rating of "Raw". It will be the Player's choice as to how he wishes to distribute these ratings.
Heavy Horse -- Each army starts with two regiments of "Heavy Horse". These may be curassiers but don't have to be.
Other Horse -- Each army starts with two regiments of "Other Horse". Usually these are either Dragoons and/or Hussars but might include some other lighter forms of mounted troops.
Artillery
I'm a little "up in the air" about artillery at the moment. Certainly it should not dominate the battlefield, so I don't want to have too much of it. I'm currently thinking that we should each start with four guns -- but remember that artillery will be diced for (and furthermore, it may not arrive on the battlefield in time for the battle -- another die roll). For early battles at least an army will usually have two guns at the most . . . and sometimes only one . . . and (if unlucky) sometimes none!
Light Artillery -- Each army starts with two of these 3-to-4 lb guns. They have a crew of two artillerymen each (plus a separate gun captain in lieu of a "colour stand"). They will start with a rating of "Veteran".
Medium Artillery -- Each army starts with only one of these 6-9 lb guns. It has a crew of three artillerymen (plus a separate gun captain in lieu of a "colour stand"). They will start with a rating of "Veteran".
Heavy Artillery -- Each army starts with only one of these 12 lb (or larger) guns. It has a crew of four artillerymen (plus a separate gun captain in lieu of a "colour stand"). They will start with a rating of "Veteran".
Limbers -- Each army may have limbers for the above artillery although they don't have to have them to move into their initial positions. However, once they are "halted", Medium and Heavy Guns may not move during a battle unless they have limbers (but then they generally did not move once positioned). Light Guns may be moved by their crews without limbers.
I'm a little "up in the air" about artillery at the moment. Certainly it should not dominate the battlefield, so I don't want to have too much of it. I'm currently thinking that we should each start with four guns -- but remember that artillery will be diced for (and furthermore, it may not arrive on the battlefield in time for the battle -- another die roll). For early battles at least an army will usually have two guns at the most . . . and sometimes only one . . . and (if unlucky) sometimes none!
Light Artillery -- Each army starts with two of these 3-to-4 lb guns. They have a crew of two artillerymen each (plus a separate gun captain in lieu of a "colour stand"). They will start with a rating of "Veteran".
Medium Artillery -- Each army starts with only one of these 6-9 lb guns. It has a crew of three artillerymen (plus a separate gun captain in lieu of a "colour stand"). They will start with a rating of "Veteran".
Heavy Artillery -- Each army starts with only one of these 12 lb (or larger) guns. It has a crew of four artillerymen (plus a separate gun captain in lieu of a "colour stand"). They will start with a rating of "Veteran".
Limbers -- Each army may have limbers for the above artillery although they don't have to have them to move into their initial positions. However, once they are "halted", Medium and Heavy Guns may not move during a battle unless they have limbers (but then they generally did not move once positioned). Light Guns may be moved by their crews without limbers.
Generals & ADCs
While each army starts with a "stable" of four Generals and six Brigadiers (plus a bunch of aides-de-camp), they do not need to have figures for all of them.
Initially figures for one General and two Brigadiers should be sufficient. In addition, it would be wise to start with a pair of ADCs (aides-de-camp) to deliver messages. Doubling these numbers should provide all that a player would might eventually need.
While each army starts with a "stable" of four Generals and six Brigadiers (plus a bunch of aides-de-camp), they do not need to have figures for all of them.
Initially figures for one General and two Brigadiers should be sufficient. In addition, it would be wise to start with a pair of ADCs (aides-de-camp) to deliver messages. Doubling these numbers should provide all that a player would might eventually need.
Miscellaneous
Colour Stands -- Please remember that each unit requires a "Colour stand". While Artillery uses a separate "gun captain" figure on his own base, all other units use flags. Remember also that "colour stands" do not indicate any troops, they are cohesion markers only.
Line Battalions -- This includes every foot unit except for converged grenadiers and skirmishing foot. These units have a "colour stand" consisting of either one or two standard-bearers. If one, he should carry the unit's standard. If two, besides the unit standare, the other should either carry the national standard or the colonel's colour.
Converged Grenadiers -- Since these are only temporary units, they do not have any unit standards, therefore they use a single standard-bearer with the national standard.
Skirmishing Foot -- These are permanent units (who like converged grenadiers did not normally carry standards -- but our standards are used to mark cohesion, so we use them anyway). They have unit standards but do not use the national standard. Thus they have only one standard bearer.
All Mounted Units -- Each mounted unit (whether Heavy or Other) will have a single standard-bearer carrying the unit colour.
Okay, this gives me a good "starting point" for the campaign . . . and will provide a "painting goal" . . . of course not everything will be needed at the start.
-- Jeff
Colour Stands -- Please remember that each unit requires a "Colour stand". While Artillery uses a separate "gun captain" figure on his own base, all other units use flags. Remember also that "colour stands" do not indicate any troops, they are cohesion markers only.
Line Battalions -- This includes every foot unit except for converged grenadiers and skirmishing foot. These units have a "colour stand" consisting of either one or two standard-bearers. If one, he should carry the unit's standard. If two, besides the unit standare, the other should either carry the national standard or the colonel's colour.
Converged Grenadiers -- Since these are only temporary units, they do not have any unit standards, therefore they use a single standard-bearer with the national standard.
Skirmishing Foot -- These are permanent units (who like converged grenadiers did not normally carry standards -- but our standards are used to mark cohesion, so we use them anyway). They have unit standards but do not use the national standard. Thus they have only one standard bearer.
All Mounted Units -- Each mounted unit (whether Heavy or Other) will have a single standard-bearer carrying the unit colour.
Okay, this gives me a good "starting point" for the campaign . . . and will provide a "painting goal" . . . of course not everything will be needed at the start.
-- Jeff
5 comments:
OK Jeff, comparing notes here just so that we are talking about the same things:
For the 'starting army':
Battalions of Infantry -- Each army starts with six (6) battalions of "line" infantry (each up to six stands of four figures). Four of these will be rated "Veteran"; one will be rated "Elite"; and one will be rated "Raw".
From my starting position:
Options: 3 Line units -or- 4 Line units -or- 5 Line units -or- 6 Line units depending on the choice of troops taken in the Greater/Lesser Provincial options.
Note that a Guard (or Elite) unit comes from the Capitol and fits for the Grenadier unit you describe.
Heavy Horse -- Each army starts with two regiments of "Heavy Horse". These may be curassiers but don't have to be.
Other Horse -- Each army starts with two regiments of "Other Horse". Usually these are either Dragoons and/or Hussars but might include some other lighter forms of mounted troops.
From my starting position:
only one options has 2 Heavy units at the start (but with provinces developing) there could be as much as 6 in a final army.
Other Horse at start:
options 6 'other horse', 4 'other horse' if the 2 heavies are chosen (but such an army has only 4 infantry in it)
also note that the Capitol provides that elite or guard unit of cavalry.
Light Artillery -- Each army starts with two of these 3-to-4 lb guns. They have a crew of two artillerymen each (plus a separate gun captain in lieu of a "colour stand"). They will start with a rating of "Veteran".
Medium Artillery -- Each army starts with only one of these 6-9 lb guns. It has a crew of three artillerymen (plus a separate gun captain in lieu of a "colour stand"). They will start with a rating of "Veteran".
Heavy Artillery -- Each army starts with only one of these 12 lb (or larger)
guns. It has a crew of four artillerymen (plus a separate gun captain in lieu of a "colour stand"). They will start with a rating of "Veteran".
(I note here that the med and heavy is different than what you were musing about before with only 1 heavy -or- 2 medium guns).
From my starting position:
There was an oversight in my original post, I note now that I should have said that all provinces provide one light gun unless that province is the capitol region, then only the 1 heavy or 2 mediums are produced.
This gives options of 1 heavy -or- 2 medium guns and 2 light guns at the start of the game.
There are plans for a unit of "Guard Cavalry" . . . but my thoughts were that such a unit (for game balance) wouldn't appear until we had amassed a certain number of other units.
As for Artillery, my thought was to have to dice for what guns got sent (rolling one die per non-cavalry general present). On a 1-3, it is a light gun; 4-5, medium gun; and on a 6, a heavy gun. Note that this is what was sent -- you still have to dice to see if they made it to the battlefield. Also, of course, you can't just have a bunch of generals there with no job. For small battles there'd usually be a C-in-C and one Infantry Brigadier (remember, a foot brigade normally has to have at least 3 battalions -- thus six battalions are needed before you get a second foot brigadier).
-- Jeff
Very detailed and interesting thoughts on troops for your WAG, Jeff. What brands figures will you be painting up for these troops?
Best Regards,
Stokes
Stokes,
I will be using RSM95 figures (Hanover for the most part, with Dragoons and Hussars from other countries). I believe that the other guys will be using other manufacturers (who sport thicker bodies and more raised detail). Still, I like the simple elegance of the RSM figures.
-- Jeff
My force will be a mix of Dixons, Front Rank, Prince August (some of the 'tricorne infantry' and most of the horses) and many conversions of the same that I have been working on...
Post a Comment