Suggestion: How to beef up light inf

[Arralen]

Originally posted by Graeme Dice:
Originally posted by Arralen:
A Light inf unit shouldn't move into a square where a unit from the same squad is already present

This isn't good for LI that has standards for morale support such as Pythium's, as the effect is not very long ranged.

Dunno about this. Maybe the programmers could give some comment if this would have a severe detrimental effect.
Than, on the other hand, maybe this doesn't apply...

It also would not look right to see legions with large amounts of spacing between troops.

"Legions", or more precise, "legionarii" aren't light inf. - neither in DOM-terms nor in the more precise military/historian/wargamer terms.
E.g. the "War Game Rules, 3000BC to 1485 AD", Wargames Research Group -I can only wholeheartedly suggest reading those - depict them as follows:

Rome since Camillus (275-105 BC)
Velites - LI - regular C - WLS,Sch o. LSP,WLS
Hastati - SI - regular C - SWW,Sch
Principes - SI - regular C - SWW,Sch
Triarii - SI - regular B - LSP,Sch

Rome since Marius (105BC -193AD)
Praetori..(?) - SI - SSW,Sch - regular A
Legionarii - SI - SSW,Sch - regular C
--------------------------------------------
LI:
fight in open formation (closed-"aerated"-open);
move in trott(? - sorry, don't know the correct terms for the different paces), attack while running
SI:
figth in closed formation, move in step(?), attack in trott

... there's also super-heavy, light-heavy, medium and medium-light inf, but i don't want to digress


WLS: Throwing- and light spear, can be 1 or 2 ("ammo:"1 or2; DOMs 3 seems excessive to me)
Sch: shield
LSP: longspear (thrusting)
SWW: heavy throwing weapon (released at the very Last moment before hand-to-hand combat),always used with short-ranged hand weapon

regular ..
commanded by officers, have (at least some) military drill & training, can move in formations

A - highest moral class, absolute elite
B - elite troops
C - standard troops
D - fresh recruits, garrison, 2nd-class units
-------------------------------------------------


So much about "legions don't look right", at least from the historical viewpoint ... .

And I'm strictly talking about LI here .. Velites, Indy light inf., Pangaea Sartyrs etc. .

But what bugges me more is if it would work, i.e. if it is double programm-wise and if it really would give some additional value to light troops by making a difference in combat.

What I envision is the following:
The fast LI chargest forward, throwing javelins and engaging in hand-to-hand, while the heavier inf. rolls up from behind in closed formation. Archers cannot target the heavy inf., as "nearest target" will let them (ineffectivly) shoot at the LI. After some (2..3) turns of battle the LI retreats behind the main line, passing through the HI with relativ ease, and holds, guarding the rear from flyers and break-throughs.

A.

PS: .. you may also check out the WRG's OoBs for "Han Chinese" and "Late Greek Hoplites" .. you'll get a feeling of deja-vu
For info on the rule set chech e.g. http://www.barr.karoo.net/hws/dbx/

[ November 23, 2003, 09:36: Message edited by: Arralen ]