Draft Version 0.3
Special thanks to Franco Antonelli and to John McLennan
1) INTRODUCTION
This is not a new set of rules but an adaptation (yet a developing draft) of Basic Impetus.
To use this Expansion you will need a copy of the Basic Impetus rules (that you can download for free at this link) and the official amendments you can find at this link
2) BASING TROOPS
At this stage, we are taking in consideration only the 15mm scale (20mm could be based in the same way).
All troops have a 12cm frontage. Depth is not so important and what follows is just a suggestion:
ECW-TYW P&M (Pike&Muskets): 4-6cm
Tercios: 12cm
Skirmishers and Late 17th Cent. P&M: 3cm
Irregular foot (e.g. highlanders): 5 or 6cm
Gallopers, Trotters, Light Horse and Siphais: 6cm
Late 17th Cent. Cavalry: 3-4cm
Reiters: 8-10cm (we suggest to form 2 columns)
Dragoons: 4cm or 8cm (if horse holders are depicted)
Two P&M Units for Late 17th century. In this period lines were less deep (here 3cm)
Basing of 28mm and 6-10mm is not yet defined. Any feedback on basing these scales is welcome; please write to the yahoogroups list or in the forum.
3) TROOP TYPES
For simplicity these new troop types are based on the original BI troop types and to keep things easy we have decided to use the double definition.
MOUNTED TROOPS
Gallopers (GA-CP)
Fast, hard hitting Horse. Trained to charge at the Gallop, using the pistol with the sword or on contact. They must pursue if they win a melee.
Trotters (TR-CP)
Troopers trained, armed and lead, much as the bulk of Horse during the Thirty years war. Not necessarily in a Caracole fashion, but certainly discharging their pistol (see Point Blank Pistol rule on paragraph 3) well before contact and then advancing at the trot. Cuirassiers (three-quarter plate armour horse) enter in this category too.
Reiters (RE-CP)
Tend to avoid contact preferring to discharge their pistol using the Caracole formation/manoeuvre.
They can shoot their pistol using the various weapons values on the firing table. They cannot pursue if they win a melee.
Spahis (SP-CM)
Same as CM in Basic Impetus but now used mainly by Eastern armies
Light Horse (CL)
Same as in Basic Impetus
Horse & Muskets HM
Some Trotters (e.g. the Swedish) were often supported by Commanded Musketeers, forming mixed formations.
You can depict these Units in a single base mixing Horse and Musketeers, but you can use a standard Horse Unit and place in contact (on the back as a chit) a small base of Musketeers.
They usually shoot with a negative Musket Modifier.
FOOT
Pike & Muskets (PM-FP)
Mixed units of pikemen and musketeers. They are considered FP to all effect but they can shoot.
Pikes nullify the impetus bonus of charging mounted troops.
Tercio (TE-FP)
Similar to a PM Unit but considered as a Pike Block (see paragraph 2.5.1).
In melee benefit of the Pike Depth Bonus (par. 7.3).
Tercios ignore minuses deriving from rear and flank attacks.
Muskets (T)
Units made only of musketeers. Perform like T in Basic Impetus.
Some, like Swedish musketeers, can have special rules (see army lists).
Skirmishers (S)
Same as Basic Impetus
Dragoons (DR-FL)
They are classed here as light infantry with shooting capability and good mobility.
They shoot only if stationary.
Artillery (Art)
Same as in Basic Impetus. It will be improved by the 12cm frontage (use a couple of models).
Some P&M (see army lists) will be given regimental guns.
This can be depicted as a small gun fitted in the base with the other figures but for gaming purpose it is a +1 bonus on shooting.
4) ADDITIONAL RULES
Movement of Mounted Troops
All mounted troops can perform a rear movement or a side/oblique without becoming disordered.
In addition, Dragoons can perform the same movements without disorder.
Retreat movement
All troops can perform a retreat movement. This movement is a rear movement fully performed at double speed. During this movement, the retiring Unit can interpenetrate all friendly Units that it meets on the way.
The retiring movement causes disorder. If the Unit is already disordered then gets 1 casualty (and keeps the disorder status).
Pursuing
Gallopers must pursue if they win a melee. Other troops can choose (provide they do not have an I=0) unless they are RE, who cannot pursue. DR, M, PM and Tercio Units can follow-up only if they win against a foot Unit as they cannot contact Mounted troops.
Charge limitations
DR, M, PM and Tercio Units cannot charge mounted troops.
Musket Modifier
Applies to PM Units and Tercios. As proportion of Musketeers could vary within units/armies these Units get a Musket Modifier (MM). This is a modifier (in dice) on shooting.
1:2 ratio or less: MM=-3
1:1 ratio: MM=-2
2:1 ratio: MM=-1
3 or more to 1 ratio= MM=0
Point blank pistol shooting
Used by Trotter Units. It is represented by a roll of 2 dice before melee (similar to the pilum rule) either if they charge or are charged. It is available till the Unit is Fresh and only just after a contact is made. If attacked on flank/rear the Trotter Unit cannot shoot.
30 Years War sample lists
English Civil War sample lists
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