Skirmisher Question

[armchairsaxon]

I game AWI using BP. My continental units are a standard 4 bases (45mm x 40mm) of 6 i.e. 24 figures. For skirmishers I have taken it as a standard unit is 12 figures spread over the same frontage?

I feel it more historically accurate to use my skirmishers in small units i.e. in 6s. They are based individually and it is easy to fall into the trap of spreading them out to much across a standard unit frontage of 180mm. I was thinking of basing 3 figures on 2 bases of 45mm x 40mm to avoid this or does it matter if you spread your skirmishers out?

[Big Al]

No, it doesn't matter too much. The main advantage of having a few individual bases is because skirmish units don't really have a flank or rear and that, when charged, all the figures form up around the one that is contacted. It is the same when firing. Normally range and Line of Sight is measured from the centre figure in a unit. However with skirmishers it is the any figure in the unit. Basing them on one or two bases restricts this a little.

Instead of rebasing, have you given any thought to making a movement tray? That way you can just pop your figures in the slots on the tray and away you go,leaving your figures individually mounted for when you want to use them that way again. There are some commercially available or you can make your own.

[armchairsaxon]

Thanks for the reply. I will give it some thought

[armchairsaxon]

If you have two standard units facing each other in a fire fight with a small skirmish unit between, would this small unit be able to fully screen the standard unit behind it when volleyed at or would the opposing unit's firing count as partially obscured?

[Alan Charlesworth]

On page 16 it says Skirmishers can be placed 1" - 2" apart.

So your unit of 6 Skirmishers could cover 5" -10" plus your individual base size x 6.

As you are using a frontage of 15mm per figure that gives 6 x 15mm = 90mm

Maximum frontage 90mm + 255mm (10") = 345mm
Minimum frontage 90mm + 127mm (5") = 217mm

Your Standard unit is only 180mm wide so the Small unit of Skirmishers is plenty to cover their front, even at the minimum 1" spacing. Opposing enemy would have to fire at the Skirmishers not the regular unit behind them.

[armchairsaxon]

Makes sense. Thanks for that.