The Loose Association of Wargamers

Count Belisarius wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 4:46 pm Or he could just issue a brigade order and do that anyway?

But if a Brigade order get's the bonus movement as well then that negates the need to be within 6" to get it?

If that's the case doesn't it help otherwise identical units based on bigger bases as it could allow a three unit brigade to control 30% [Edited: actually 25%] more ground and still benefit from the movement bonus!

It's one of the problems of trying to accommodate different unit frontages, adding in more units and the distances between (ie a Brigade move) compounds the problem.

Paul wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 4:40 pm So that means that there's potentially a big command advantage to basing your units on smaller bases and reducing the frontage? In that a Brigadier could more easily run from one side of the Brigade to the other and boost everyone's movement.

I imagine that most Leaders will have a horse, so won't need to run anywhere. But definitely, everyone should rebase all their units. It'll give them a massive advantage.

Or you could give the Leader a really, really, really big hat (all Leader bonus measurements are taken from the Leaders head).

Or you could just give a Brigade Move order.

Sorry reading this out of sequence. Back in a mo.

E

I'm going for the big hat option...

Paul wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 4:51 pm

Count Belisarius wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 4:46 pm Or he could just issue a brigade order and do that anyway?

But if a Brigade order get's the bonus movement as well then that negates the need to be within 6" to get it?

If that's the case doesn't it help otherwise identical units based on bigger bases as it could allow a three unit brigade to control 30% more ground and still benefit from the movement bonus!

It's one of the problems of trying to accommodate different unit frontages, adding in more units and the distances between compounds the problem.

I don't understand your first sentence.

A Brigade Order can only be given if you have an un-activated Leader and all the Brigade's units (ignoring unlimbered guns for the moment) are within 6" of him. The extension of the bonus radius by 3" (i.e. adding units within 3" of a unit which is within 6" of a Leader) is, in fact, intended to to even things up for larger units which might otherwise be disadvantaged. The larger the unit the more difficult it is for a Leader to be within 6" of all of them.

Larger or smaller units each have advantages and disadvantages. The one I've highlighted could be quite a biggie. Fortunately, most units have pretty much the same frontages. The difference between largest and smallest is only about an 38mm on each flank, so the application of a little fettling where needed will see things right.

E

Essex Boy wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 6:03 pm I don't understand your first sentence.

It refers to Units activated with a Brigade move don't need to be within 6 inches to get the movement advantage (and a bit more).

Essex Boy wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 6:03 pm A Brigade Order can only be given if you have an un-activated Leader and all the Brigade's units (ignoring unlimbered guns for the moment) are within 6" of him. The extension of the bonus radius by 3" (i.e. adding units within 3" of a unit which is within 6" of a Leader) is, in fact, intended to to even things up for larger units which might otherwise be disadvantaged.

It's adding up to six inches frontage in total when larger units are involved. Brigades with units of seven inches frontage can stretch to a maximum of 6+14+3 (23) Inches from the Brigadier whereas those with your maximum stated 10 inch frontage can occupy 6+20+3 (29). Stretched out to a fully deployed three Unit Brigade that gives a footprint stretching to 36 inches (small bases) or 45 inches (large) which seems quite a difference for two (in games terms) identical Brigades and allows the one on a larger base to more easily control the battlefield (space occupied and firing arcs etc...) and guard it's flanks.

Interestingly how it effects units overall probably depends on whether they are seeking to attack or defend. It is definitely a big advantage to have larger bases when defending and possibly to have smaller bases when attacking! I'm sure i'm overthinking it all for a "friendly" game

Just keep your brigadier within 6 inches from your central unit....and the units either side within 3 inches of that directly commanded unit?? Or am I over simplifying the game that played really well at Gary's??

So, if I've understood you correctly, you have two units in line twelve inches apart with the Leader equidistance between the two to give the absolute maximum frontage and still be within the bonus radius.

That gives a total frontage of the two units as 32 inches for two ten inch frontage units and 26" for two seven inch frontage units. Add the third unit to the line at the maximum distance of 3" and you add 13" and 10" to the absolute maximum the Brigade can have and still make a Brigade Move. 45" and 36" respectively (remembering that I'm not including guns in this exercise). Nine inch difference, or 4.5" on each flank.

Sounds awful. My advice - don't do it.

Can you explain why you would want to form up like that?

E

I don't think there'd be the room on the table to have a 12 inch gap unless a central unit does an about-turn and Gateway's it!!

Although....a 12 inch gap would be nice to face-off against....slide a brigade of Cav right on through