Topic: Tactical Use of Detachments - "The Reman Legion Way"

[Marcus_Octavius]

As many of you might know, I have developed various tactical uses for my Swordsmen Parents, Swordsmen Detachments & Archer Detachments.  In this article I'll describe how to use these Detachments to gain the best possible CR bonus and/or negate the enemy's charging bonuses.  I've been using the "Reman Legions" (Empire) for about 1 1/2 years now and I've won 3rd overall at 2 Indy GT's with 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss in both tournaments (a pretty decent score for a "Low Fantasy" army composition).  I've fought some horrific monsters and powerful heroes, but in the end the discipline of the Empire Detachments has won the day, despite all the odds.

There are 5 main ways to use the detachments for tactical charges/counter-charges as well as many secondary roles they might play.

The secondary roles include screening and diversion tactics which are very common and well understood, so I'll focus on the more technical Bait-&-Flee/Bait-&-Hold tactics that allow for flank charges that provide maximum CR in combat which should be an Empire General's primary goal in any game!

First I must explain that the new 7th edition rule "Enemy's in the way" and the new Skirmisher rules are what I use for these tactics.  Specifically the flee direction and the charge direction that occur in these situations is key in setting up tactical movements of Detachments. 

Rules: Fleeing -

* Ranked units who flee from a charge pivot on the spot facing directly away from t he center of the enemy charging unit and move straight away from that center.  This meas that ranked units that are being charged by the enemy at an angle will flee at an angle.

* Skirmishing units who flee from a charge move the closest skirmisher directly away from the center of the enemy charging unit, then the rest of the skirmishers move with that same model in the same direction keeping their original formation as closely as possible.  This means that placing a skirmishing model closer than the others dictates which directionthe skirmishers flee.

Rules: Charging -

* The charging unit must declare a charge against and move into contact with the closest skirmishing model in a unit.

* The charging unit must try to maximize the number of models engaged in the combat when charging for bothsides.

Rules: Enemy's in the Way -

* Once a unit finishes moving it's flee distance away from the charging unit,the charging unit must attempt to finish the charge and catch the fleeing unit.  This means that if a unit flees at an angle the charging unit must wheel toward the fleeing unit in an attempt to engage the fleeing unit.

* If the path between the charging unit and the fleeing unit is blocked (even if the fleeing unit is too far to reach), then the charging unit must either declare a new charge against he unit in the way or stop 1" in front of the unit in the way. 

* The charging unit only ever fails a charge when there are no enemy's within their charge distance.

Now that these rules are clarified I'll start with the tactics: 

*NOTE: each of these images shows tactics against a cavalry unit, typically these same tactics work the exact same against the infantry units, but are much easier to perform against infantry.  Cavalry with its long charge reach can easily charge whatever it likes and thus I've shown cavalry as our enemy.  In many of these cases if this were Bretonnians or Chosen Chaos Knights you'd want to use theexact same tactics in order to avoid head-to-head "fair fights" where we are at a disadvantage to damage dealing cavalry!

[Marcus_Octavius]

Bait & Flee Tactics for Parent & Combat Detachment only

(1)

(1)The enemy is ready to charge the combat detachment allowing them to bypass your parent unit and then begin attacking from your rear! This is not acceptable!

(2)

(2)The enemy declares a charge on the detachment.

(3)

(3)The combat detachment flees and was at a slight angle so the enemy unit does not cross paths with the parent unit. The enemy unit fails its charge!

(4)

(4)The enemy unit is now exposed to a flank charge that will doom them!

[Marcus_Octavius]

Bait & Flee Tactics for Parent & Archer Detachment only

(1)

(1)There is no combat detachment to counter-charge the enemy, so they can charge the archers and then overrun/persue into the parent. You must prevent the enemy from getting a charge against your parent unit.

(2)

(2)The parent unit reforms to face the enemy at an angle making sure they are facign a point about 14" from the current location of the enemy cavalry. The archers run forward into a wedge formation that screen the parent unit from a charge, placing the closest archer to the left side of the enemy unit. The enemy is unable to go around the archers.

(3)

(3)The cavalry declares their charge on the archers and the archers flee at a slight angle to the left.

(4)

(4)The archers could not flee far enough since they were only 2" away from the enemy and the enemy cavalry catches and destroys them at the full charge distance!

(5)

(5)The enemy is now exposed to a flank charge by the parent unit and easily defeated!

[Marcus_Octavius]

Bait & Flee Tactics for Parent, Combat Detachment & Archer Detachment

(1)

(1)A typical situation, where the enemy is situated infront of your combat detachment preparing to make the archers flee and then hit the combat detachment while avoiding the parent unit all together.

(2)

(2)The archers move into a wedge formation with the closest archer situated to the right side of the enemy all other archer continue screenign role,but make sure theyare not the closest target.

(3)

(3)The enemy is now forced to charge the closest archer.

(4)

(4)The archers flee at a slight angle to the right, the closest archer was at an angle and flees directly away from the center of the enemy unit. This flee places the closest archer behind the parent unit rather thanthe very exposed combat detachment! The enemy isforcedto charge the parent unit now.

(5)

(5)The enemy makes his charge into the parent unit then the combat detachment counter-charges! 
 
 

[Marcus_Octavius]

Bait & Hold Tactics for Parent, Combat Detachment & Archer Detachment

(1)

(1)The enemy sets upin a typical fashion attempting to chargethe combat detachment and not the parent unit.

(2)

(2)In some situation it is better to hold with the screening archers rather than fleeing. To do this reform the archers into an angled line where the closest archer is closest to the parent unit.

(3)

(3)The enemy then charges the closest archer, if you set up correctly, the enemy will have to wheeltowards the archer, thus eleminating any chance of a tactical wheel thatwill make the overrun gointo the detachment rather than parent.

(4)

(4)The archer align to the enemy and fight.

(5)

(5)The archers die horribly! The enemy can hold or persue/overrun now, but only into the parent unit.

(6a)

(6b)

(6a)The enemy will overrun/persue into the parent unit.

(6b)the enemy will hold their ground and the parent will declare a charge on the enemy.

(7a)

(7b)

(7a)Then the combat detachment will charge the flank in your turn.

(7b)The combat detachment will make a support charge with the charging parent unit.

[Marcus_Octavius]

(1)

(1)In this situation, the cavalry has made it around your flank and your infantry find themselves vulnerable to am immediate flank charge. You have one turn to reform the units before a flank charge occures and wipes out the rest of your line.

(2)

(2)First the combat detachment reforms to face the enemy, but at a slight angle. The archers move infront of the combat detachment and the parent makes a long wheel to face the enemy.

(3a)
(3b)

(3a)The enemy declared a charge on the archers, the closest archer was to the left of the enemy unit thus it will flee away at an angle and end up behidn the parent unit as it flees through.

(3b)You could alternatively hold the charge.

(4a)
(4b)

(4a) The enemy declared a charge on the combat detachment who also chooses to flee and at a slight angle, so that the parent unit is not in the path. The enemy cavalry fails it's charge and moves forward 7".

(4b) The enemy would then overrun/parsue into the detachment.

(5a)
(5b)

(5a) The parent unit now can declare a charge on the cavalry and negate all the enemy's charge bonuses thus easily winning combat.

(5b) The Parent could then flank charge the enemy allowing for max combat resolution just as if they had held a frontal charge and the detachment had flanked with a support charge. The bonus here is thet the enemy would flee off the table away fromt he parent when combat is lost making it easier to garuntee the enemy is destroyed!

[Marcus_Octavius]

I hope that these tactics are of use to you,they certainly have been of great use to me. 

In addition to using the Detachments to win combats I alsosuggest you have a small contingent of cavalry ('nilla knights are perfect for this).  Also you should have some artillery in support of thelarge blocks of troops.  Characters with both leadership and psychology protection items also help immensely in garunteeing that your troops hold their formation long enough to complete these tactical movements!

Some people think that super-characters or lots of missile fire or lots ofknights will make for aneasy win (sometimes they are right, but usually they are dead wrong), instead focusing onthe combat infantry and their detachments whiel usingyour other units insupport of these units (suchas TVI describes) make the whole army very powerful, since each component can support the others!

Good luck!

[Joey]

Very interesting read, and great article.  I vote for this to be added to the war room.

Even though your playing style is different than mine, I respect it and I have seen your mastery of the style of empire you play.

Very nice!      

[Gneisenau]

Excellent work, Marcus.

I'd agree at any given moment that infantry is the Empire's greatest asset. Memorizing these tactics and playing to them can be a game-winner against all except the most experienced enemy generals.

[clausewitz]

Excellent article Marcus.  Very clearly laid out diagrams.

I look forward to part II... where there are two enemy units attacking  

[Grutch]

I am so Impressed!  This will certainly find its way into the War Room,  hold tight we're working behind the scenes to get these sections of the site up.  (well at least Calvin is).

Marcus,  You have just convinced me to take archers instead of handgunner detachments.  Their screening along with move and fire flexibility for annoyance purposes is reason enough to take em. 

-Grutch

[kk14]

I too vote this be added to the war room.  It is truly excellent

[Marcus_Octavius]

Thanks Grutch, I've been meaning to write up this article for a while now, but haven't found the time...

I'll be happy to re-work the article for the War Room as you require, just let me know what you want me to do.

In response to the statement about being charged by 2 enemies... well it is really no different.  

* The main thing to remember is that you'll flee from the largest unit strength, so make sure that the archers are in the right position to flee at an angle from this unit that will force both units to hit the parent unit only!

* Also if the enemy cannot physically reach a unit because another was moved first in the charge order, then they will fail their charge!  This means that it is possible to align the archers to the first unit moved in such a way that the second unit cannot touch them!  You have to be sneaky, but it's possible in some situations.  This could allow you to hold against one charge while the other fails, then you can accept the overrun/persuit move into the parent and send the detachment into the flank on your next charge... the second unit that charged you would have failed its charge and will most likely not be in the way.

* The best way to prevent multiple unit from charging one unit is to have lots of infantry blocks... this forces them to divide up their strength among many of your strong CR-generating infantry units!  I run an army with 4 units of 30 swordsmen each with a detachment of 10 swordsmen and a detachment of 5 archers plus 2 units of cavalry and 4 artillery pieces... this means that some enemy units will be killed from artillery and are not a threat, helping to thin out the lines, then the remainign units are spread out a bit and find themselves forced to try and arrange themselves for a duel charge, that might get them charged if they are not careful or simply split up and fight individual units.

*  Panic tests also help, if you move soem units farther forward or backwards so that the enemy doesn't engage your whole battle line at once, you can break a single unit and it can have a good chance of causing panic on others nearby... thus removing the nasty business of actually fighting the enemy!  Personally this is my favorite mothod of killing the enemy: Brutalizing the first wave of attackers so bad they run screamign for the hills and pasnic their buddies behind them... forcing a route and an easy run down as my units chase the scattered forces off the field.  Most of my games go this way when I keep a strong battle line, I can break multiple units and remove any coherancy the enemy once had making it easy to chase them away... I often find myself in their deployment zone with most of my army by the end of the game even though I usually stay still after the first 8" or 12" I gofordard to set up my battle line.

* Also it is possible to place two units right next to each other, when an enemy with a wide frontage hits one unit they usually will overlap a little clipping the second unit, plus their buddies that charged in will also hit this unit makign one big combat.  Both flanks will slam shut as the detachments charge in and it becomes a deathtrap for the enemy.  However this is not the least bit safe to do if the enemy charging in is a high kill enemy unit... if they charge in with multiple high kill units then teh extra kills will easily negate the multiple units on our side as only one unit actually generates CR on my side,while the enemy's unit all generate CR.  So don't let 2 units of kngihts charge into two units of infantry and link them together into one combat or the enemy will simply have double the CR from kills while you simply have the standard CR of only one unit!  (I've screwed up and allowed this once or twice and haven't done it since!)

I can also make anadditional article on using multipel units to fight multiple enemies in a larger article covering the Reman Legion's army tactics rather than individual unit tactics like this article covered.  But seriously, the Remans are nothing more than several smaller units working in union to make a solid, invincible wall.  Each parent & detachment combo can easily defeat any enemy unit out there and when all work together thay defeat entire armies!

[conspicuous]

Awesome tactica, Marcus_Octavius! Great job.


I have a question. Can archers really skirmish? I thought only huntsmen could, and I was certain you werent allowed to use them as a detachment.


Im clearly wrong here,  . Its just that Im currently on a trip and dont have access to my army book.
 

[Arminius]

This is very interesting, thank you!

I have a question. Can archers really skirmish? I thought only huntsmen could, and I was certain you werent allowed to use them as a detachment.

Yes, archers can skirmish, you can find this under their special rules in the army list. They can also be used as detachments. You can find this on page 38 of the army book.

[clausewitz]

Marcus, please note that in no way are my comments intended to be detractory.  I simply had something in mind when I was reading your theory.

* The main thing to remember is that you'll flee from the largest unit strength, so make sure that the archers are in the right position to flee at an angle from this unit that will force both units to hit the parent unit only!

I think the US condition applies once combat has commenced and you had failed a break test.  When fleeing from chargers it is the order the charges are declared in that determines which unit you flee from.

The two units question was due to the skirmisher pulling tactic that is sometimes used.  When the first charging unit hits the skirmish screen and "pulls them in" out of the way of the other charging unit.  I know it is a matter of proper alignment of the skirmishers, but I thought a more complex example like that would make a good addition.

[Oss]

* The main thing to remember is that you'll flee from the largest unit strength, so make sure that the archers are in the right position to flee at an angle from this unit that will force both units to hit the parent unit only!

I think the US condition applies once combat has commenced and you had failed a break test.  When fleeing from chargers it is the order the charges are declared in that determines which unit you flee from.

No, Markus Octavius is quite right here. US also applies for fleeing from attack.

[Marcus_Octavius]

The two units question was due to the skirmisher pulling tactic that is sometimes used.  When the first charging unit hits the skirmish screen and "pulls them in" out of the way of the other charging unit.  I know it is a matter of proper alignment of the skirmishers, but I thought a more complex example like that would make a good addition.

Ok, well there are way to avoid that too... If there are any other detachment questions you might have I'm sure I can come up with a few more tactics to helpyou out.

I'll make another post about this, but in general the way to prevent someone pulling archers is to either (A) make sure they cannot see anything but archers and (B) is the first option isn't available make sure the unit that is aligned to hit the detachment uses the "Bait-&-Hold" tactic to catch the archers while the other unit can see the parent and after "pulling" the archers into combat, the other unit passes by to hitthe parent only which would allow for the combat detachment to flank charge.  To do this you would have to use the archers to first move forward to give room for a flank charge by the combat detachment and also make sure that their charge is pulled away from the combat making the overrun/persuit gopast the position where the combat detachment would end up. 

If this isn't perfectly clear, don't worry I'll make an article about multipel units trying to counter my first 5 tactics.

[clausewitz]

I do think that would add another level to your article Marcus.  Especially as its one of the first things people learn to do against the Empire (charge parent and detachment at the same time to stop counter-charging).

If you wanted to you could expand the "Bait & Flee" section to include things like using it to setup flank shots with a cannon, or pistoliers & knights working together to get a flank charge.  Though I guess those are beginning to move outside the Reman Legions remit?

[Marcus_Octavius]

I do use cannons in my army, but really I don't try to avoid combat in order to shoot with the cannons mainly because they blow up so easily and miss rather easily.  They are great assests, but unless I'm using my Dwarfs I won't count on any Empire cannon doing it's job!

I also dislike using knights as a primary attack force, this is because in my estimation the least likely way to win combat is through kills...  A flanking knight force mightwin, but it will win mostly against skirmishers or light cavalry or missile troops or other soft targets.  Most of the time thesetargets can be caught with knights anywyas and don't require flanking.

I personally believe that it's far safer and much more reliable to use infantry to defeat the vast majority of threats, dragon riders and other big nasties cannot defeat a challenge by a unit champion when facing a fullt ranked and counter-charging unit of Empire infantry!  So why fightthe obvious super units in the game?!

Keep proposing possible threats to the infantry line or artillery line, etc... that youare curious about ways to protect against... I'll write up the next few articles on tuesday!

[ProFF7]

awesome strategy! now im almost forced to squeeze some points for extra archer detachments 

you should really expand your article into a wider tactica, it has a lot of potential. 


some questions for you:

- i see you use swordsmen detachments. but since detachments are sacrificial in many situations, do you think  other, cheaper options would be useful here too? (halberdiers)

- what artillery choices do you use with this?

- what hero choices do you recommend? and this one could be interesting too: what uses do you see for an AL War Altar supporting a infantry line (you say expensive heros are not worth it, which i agree, but i sense WA AL can do wonders when working together with infantry)

-  how do you deal with these cheesy magic-shooty armies?

- from what you said, one could think  you  do not ever marchblock enemies or try to cause disarray in their lines (other than using artillery). dont you think marchblocking would increase the chances for artillery causing damage and units coming to you unsupported (its also possible that i misunderstoo you)

[clausewitz]

I do use cannons in my army, but really I don't try to avoid combat in order to shoot with the cannons mainly because they blow up so easily and miss rather easily.  They are great assests, but unless I'm using my Dwarfs I won't count on any Empire cannon doing it's job!

I know its not something that your Reman Legions do, but your diagrams were very good, so I thought you could also present some of the other "staple" manuevre tactics used by the Empire. 

I also dislike using knights as a primary attack force, this is because in my estimation the least likely way to win combat is through kills...  A flanking knight force might win, but it will win mostly against skirmishers or light cavalry or missile troops or other soft targets.  Most of the time thesetargets can be caught with knights anywyas and don't require flanking.

This kind of tactic is most often used against other cavalry.  Like the Bretonnians for example.  But I can see how you might want to keep the theme of your article focused on the infantry and detachments.

I personally believe that it's far safer and much more reliable to use infantry to defeat the vast majority of threats, dragon riders and other big nasties cannot defeat a challenge by a unit champion when facing a fullt ranked and counter-charging unit of Empire infantry!  So why fightthe obvious super units in the game?!

Keep proposing possible threats to the infantry line or artillery line, etc... that youare curious about ways to protect against... I'll write up the next few articles on tuesday!

I propose 25 Savage Orc Big Uns with 2 Hand Weapons and Noggs Banner 

[Rufas the Eccentric]

(5a) The parent unit now can declare a charge on the cavalry and negate all the enemy's charge bonuses thus easily winning combat.

(5b) The Parent could then flank charge the enemy allowing for max combat resolution just as if they had held a frontal charge and the detachment had flanked with a support charge. The bonus here is thet the enemy would flee off the table away fromt he parent when combat is lost making it easier to garuntee the enemy is destroyed!

OK  I have a couple of questions on this one.  1). Although Detachments can declare countercharges in support of Parents I do not read anything the rules that allows Parents to countercharge in support of Detachments. 2).  Where does it indicate that a countercharge negates the enemy's charge bonuses?

Both of these points would be very beneficial so I hope that you can enlighten me.  Great work.  I look forward to seeing the final edition in the War Room.

[2841981]

excellent article

this should be a great help to me (with the NEB i have had 2 draws, 3 massacres and one solid victory, i really need to remember that everything else is in support of my battle line)

im of to make a better list

Nath

[popmart]

(5a) The parent unit now can declare a charge on the cavalry and negate all the enemy's charge bonuses thus easily winning combat.

(5b) The Parent could then flank charge the enemy allowing for max combat resolution just as if they had held a frontal charge and the detachment had flanked with a support charge. The bonus here is thet the enemy would flee off the table away fromt he parent when combat is lost making it easier to garuntee the enemy is destroyed!

OK  I have a couple of questions on this one.  1). Although Detachments can declare countercharges in support of Parents I do not read anything the rules that allows Parents to countercharge in support of Detachments. 2).  Where does it indicate that a countercharge negates the enemy's charge bonuses?

Both of these points would be very beneficial so I hope that you can enlighten me.  Great work.  I look forward to seeing the final edition in the War Room.

I think that the idea here is that since in 4b (opponent's turn) the cavalry did win combat and either overrun or pursue into the detachment, in the Empire player's following turn he can declare a charge with the parent unit. The cavalry would still count as charging in the detachment.