Fighting with German warband armies

[martin goddard]

The German army ( army number 27).
Just some thoughts, maybe others can add to them please?

A whole bunch of warbands backed up by a few cavalry and skirmishers.
12 warbands are needed in order  to create overwhelming presence.
This can give 3 powerful zones with some extra warbands behind to fill gaps and losses.

1. Make sure that the warband zones do not get outflanked.
2. Be prepared to surprise an opponent by putting warbands into/through woods.
3. Veteran units are crucial to ensure stability of warband zones.
4. Two levy warbands might help reduce pointage outlays.
5. Three mounted skirmisher units are a  real must as they can be in lots of places.
6. If buying cavlry it is probably best to buy 3 or 4 to make them a potent threat. One unit just burns up points.
7. Might be best to attack as an army in echelon?

martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

Lack of armour makes the warbands quite fragile?

Simon

[martin goddard]

Agreed Simon. They need to close the distance really quickly. Also bow armies will be a problem for them too.


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

I would venture therefore that the default tactic of choice for warbands would make them ideally suited to anyone called Martin? 

Simon

[Moggy]

Warbands are quite similar to my Nubians in some ways. Masses of troops unencumbered by that heavy armour.  A cheap way is by having Aux troops to provide those important bases to provide rear support.

Bear in mind you can only get 6 points in the top section and if you can ensure rear support and close order combined you are almost there. Throw in a Vet unit and maybe a shock unit and you are maxed.

In the second section it all depends on the troops you have available 2 close order, 1 aux and a skirmisher is 9 so...

Its the second part that can hurt. With this its all about how you play as an individual and what type of troops you are facing. Aux can move sideways and exit terrain a lot easier  This can be used to plug a flank column.

I do hate to say it but Martins tactics work with a blunt instrument like the German Warbands the frontal mass surge forwards is the best way. If you tie up his troops trying to block you they cant be elsewhere getting up to mischief!

Derek

[martin goddard]

Don't forget that the Germans have no auxiliaries


martin

[Moggy]

OK, I admit I didnt look at the list

Derek