Using Militia in AWI

[sandman36]

There's always an exception to every rule and statement. Bunker hill was a loss for us. The Brits took a shelacking, Pyrric victory at best. It's been argued that none of the British commanders who fought there were ever effective again. Having said that, the colonial militia were thrown off the heights and the British regulars accomplished their mission. That's what war is all about, accomplishing the mission.

Did it work out in the long run? Nope. At the operational level the Brits couldn't sustain their presence in Boston, left and didn't come back. Was that due to the American loss at Breed's Hill? No.

[Jammers]

Bunker Hill? Sandman. Bunker Hill? He has some continentals that he uses to hold up my advance but I normally assigned a special brigade of British grenadier Battalion, a unit of Tarletons legion and an escaped slave regiment with the terryfing charge rule. They are given this as the behaviour of the colonial Marines in the war of 1812 and their effect on the yanks

Is FC appropriate? Have you considered Bloodthirsty instead?

I'm a firm believer in less is more. It might be worth considering toning down your units rather than upgrading the Militia

[TG1]

the games is fought on points TBH jammers. The briage is often heavil outnumbered and gets cut done by sheer wight of numbers eventuaolly

[Jammers]

Sorry, i misunderstood. I assumed that your friend was getting panned in games

If he has weight of number but poor quality troops then he better learn how to use terrain/cover etc to his advantage

I'd still shy away from FC and Stubborn though. I think they're better used in specific scenarios
and/or very few troop types

[jazbo]

Stubborn for militia?? My god.

The militia were brittle, so why try to change that.

Unreliable and freshly raised.

[steve jones]

Militia of the American Rebellion (or AWI or Revolution depending on your preference) were generally poor but did vary and I think they should be rated at least campaign by campaingn and if possible battle by battle. The northern militia at Saratoga seem to have given a reasonable account of themselves but the southern militias of 1780-82 were shaky and unreliable in battles against regulars such as Camden and Guilford CH, but their character is somewhat different when ambushing loyalists (Hanging Rock, etc) and scenarios are best written specifically rather than trying to find a "one size fits all" approach.

This said, I generally find that when rating militia it is a question of how much you penalise them rather than looking for any bonuses to add!

Finding the right blend of attributes for militia goes a long way to giving games the right rebellious atmosphere.

cheers
Steve

[armchairsaxon]

With reference the original post, sounds about right really. As others have said militia are best behind defensive obstacles where possible.

You could try the defense in depth tactic as with Cowpens and Guildford Courthouse to gradually wear down the Brits?

[armchairsaxon]

Stubborn for militia?? My god.

The militia were brittle, so why try to change that.

Unreliable and freshly raised.

I was thinking of trying just the "Wavering" special rule for southern theatre militia.