Post by dpd on Dec 9, 2021 20:22:10 GMT
Simple (and inexpensive) suggestion for organizing unit types using a simple deck of cards. organized by suites and card orientation.
Line formations designated with card oriented sideways (wide side being the front), deep formations (with narrow side being the front)
Spades - shock troops
Clubs - melee troops
Diamonds - irregulars troops
Hearts - missile troops
And so...
2 to 10 of spades (line) - Spear
2 to 10 of spades (deep) - Pike
J, Q, K of spades - Knights (and heavy 4-horse chariots)
A of spades - Elephants
2 to 10 of clubs (line) - Blade (Sword)
2 to 10 of clubs (deep) - Blade (Axe, Polearm)
J, Q, K of clubs - Cavalry
A of clubs - Scythed Chariots (and other expendables)
2 to 10 of diamonds (line) - Auxilia (or Hordes)
2 to 10 of diamonds (deep) - Warband
J, Q, K of diamonds - Light Horse Javelin (hobelars, jinetes, etc.)
A of diamonds - Camelry
2 to 10 of hearts (line) - Psiloi
2 to 10 of hearts (deep) - Bow (crossbow, longbow)
J, Q, K of hearts - Light Horse Archers (and light 2-horse chariots)
A of hearts - Artillery (and war wagon)
Scale accordingly based on the size of cards, whether poker (2.5" x 3.5") or bridge (2.25" x 3.5") or large (3.5" x 5.75")
Shuffle the deck to create random armies.
Use poker chips (red or blue) to designate armies. 1 chip for inferior, 2 for ordinary, 3 for superior. Striped chips for fast/exceptional. 4 chips for Generals.
Ratio of foot to horse to special is 9:3:1 - about right for most balanced armies.
P.S. Yes, IMHO "Blades" should be split into "Sword" (Roman Legion, Japanese samurai) and "Axe" (Saxon Housecarls, Swiss halberdiers) units; and Light Horse split into "Horse Archers" (Mongols, Parthians) operating best on flat terrain and "Horse Javelin" (Irish hobelars, Spanish jinetes,) that operate well in rough terrain.
Line formations designated with card oriented sideways (wide side being the front), deep formations (with narrow side being the front)
Spades - shock troops
Clubs - melee troops
Diamonds - irregulars troops
Hearts - missile troops
And so...
2 to 10 of spades (line) - Spear
2 to 10 of spades (deep) - Pike
J, Q, K of spades - Knights (and heavy 4-horse chariots)
A of spades - Elephants
2 to 10 of clubs (line) - Blade (Sword)
2 to 10 of clubs (deep) - Blade (Axe, Polearm)
J, Q, K of clubs - Cavalry
A of clubs - Scythed Chariots (and other expendables)
2 to 10 of diamonds (line) - Auxilia (or Hordes)
2 to 10 of diamonds (deep) - Warband
J, Q, K of diamonds - Light Horse Javelin (hobelars, jinetes, etc.)
A of diamonds - Camelry
2 to 10 of hearts (line) - Psiloi
2 to 10 of hearts (deep) - Bow (crossbow, longbow)
J, Q, K of hearts - Light Horse Archers (and light 2-horse chariots)
A of hearts - Artillery (and war wagon)
Scale accordingly based on the size of cards, whether poker (2.5" x 3.5") or bridge (2.25" x 3.5") or large (3.5" x 5.75")
Shuffle the deck to create random armies.
Use poker chips (red or blue) to designate armies. 1 chip for inferior, 2 for ordinary, 3 for superior. Striped chips for fast/exceptional. 4 chips for Generals.
Ratio of foot to horse to special is 9:3:1 - about right for most balanced armies.
P.S. Yes, IMHO "Blades" should be split into "Sword" (Roman Legion, Japanese samurai) and "Axe" (Saxon Housecarls, Swiss halberdiers) units; and Light Horse split into "Horse Archers" (Mongols, Parthians) operating best on flat terrain and "Horse Javelin" (Irish hobelars, Spanish jinetes,) that operate well in rough terrain.
