How big should battalion be?

[Nazadsam]

I was wondering how big should each battalion be in 28 mm army? Since its made from 6 companies i was thinking to make companies 24 model strong so that would make 144 models per battalion. Is this correct?

[grant]

Good lord, that would make for a monster army! Do you own a school gymnasium?

Most people put 4-6 figures on a single base, making a "battalion" around 24-36 figures.

[Big Al]

That's going to be a very big army. What are you going to do, make each battalion the equivalent of a brigade in game terms?

For the game, each unit is a battalion or regiment and a number of these group together to form a brigade and an army will consist of three or four brigades. A unit normally contains between 24 and 36 figures and works well if you think of each figure representing something like 10 men. You should be ok, then.

[grant]

Example command stand, represents a company - this is a 40mm square base.

Whole battalion:


Skirmishers at end:


Close up of skirmishers, mounted 2 per 20x40mm base:

[HobbitMiles]

I think it is really very much up to you how big you want your units to be.

Whilst I know it will sound odd I've seen good games with as few as 6 figures representing a battalion - this can work well if you're using a reduced plating area/ground scale. I've played games where most units on both sides are allowed to skirmish, unit sizes of about 12 - 16 work well for these as each unit potentially has a much bigger "footprint" than usual.

The main point is to keep both sides consistent.

However it does strike me that if using 144 figures fire might not be able to reach from one end of the line to the other.

[Mike Target]

144?!?!?

Well Ive heard of chaps using 100 figures in a battalion (or at least a 1-10 ratio for figures) though In such cases the battle field tended to be quite large and that one battalion would form the core of one army with various supporting companies added.

Im quite happy with 24-36 figures for a battalion.

[Lucius Vorenus]

Sorry about the cross posting chaps.

I meant to say, historically, battallions rarely were at full strength.

Many regiments struggled to fill the ranks before shipping out and of course they lost many to sickness, desertion and some enemy action too.

I also plan on making mine 24 figures per unit, that means you can get 2 units from most boxes and eek out 3 units from the bigger boxes.

[jazbo]

The devil is in the detail - detail the OP doesn't bother to give.

If it's an Zulu War British unit, then yes you could have companies of 24 figures as you would not have many on table. If it is Napoleonics then only a nutter would do battalions at that scale.

My exasperation with the question is that the rule book has tons of pretty photos of units on the table and explanations of each troop type AND scenarios, demonstrating quite clearly the most obvious unit options.

[Big Al]

You're right, Jazbo. Looking at it again, the question is a little vague and I, for one, took it to mean Napoleonic. Though it doesn't hurt to come in here and ask for advice or clarification.

It also raises the question of whether the people who ask questions like this have actually got the rulebook. I'm not casting any aspersions. The OP may be waiting for his book to arrive or may only be playing the game with a friend who has the book. As you say, a lot of the information about how to model a unit is in the book. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you can't ask questions or that you need to have the book to play. I'm only saying that there is plenty of information and suggestions in the book as to how units should be modelled. If it is Napoleonic, the Albion Triumphant supplement will be released soon and should give more information for that period.

[ScottWashburn]

Our armies (based previously for another system) have 6 infantry on a 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" base. Most battalions have 4 such bases for 24 figures. "Large" battalions have six bases for 36 figures. I'm experimenting with putting just 4 figures on a base for light infantry units to make them look a little more spread out (not going to mess with individually based figures). Works just fine with BP.