How are formations in the new pike and shots rules?

[Gunfreak]

So since I don't have the rules yet, how are formations in the new rules, how many pike, how many short, how many ranks=

[Mike Target]

This must have been repeated on here about a gazillion times, but standard for foot is 12-25 for the pike elements, and 8-20 for the shotte.

[MediumAl]

I think the query is not so much about numbers, but more about how they form up.

My bods are TYW, so I've been wondering how I represent the formations. On P29 of the rulebook the 3 formations - Tercio, Dutch Brigade and Swedish Brigade are represented, in each case using 3 battalia which each consist of a unit of 16 pike and 2 units of 12 musketeers. The pike are in a 4x4 block, and the musketeers in 2 ranks of 6.

At the top of that page it says that 'Later in this book, we will explain the preferred formations of many of the armies covered during this period. This will be found in either their background or army list sections.' I've looked in the Thirty Years War and Imperialist section, but it doesn't seem to have that explanation. It could be somewhere else, as I've not yet read it cover to cover.

It says the Imperialists would adapt their approach throughout the war, but it would be good to have an opinion as to what armies might have used what and when - although I appreciate that lots of detail would warrant a separate tome. On thing I'm not sure about would be whether allied troops in the Swedish army, for instance, would stick with their existing practise or would they adopt the Swedish model. I would think the Swedes might prefer that, but they might not have had the opportunity to train them enough.

Whilst I like the look of the tercio formation, why would I ever use it in a wargame? 4 of my 6 shot units are sitting behind friendly units where they can't shoot. I think in real life they would be rotating ranks to generate a steady volume of fire, and casualties would effectively be made up from the rear ranks. Having browsed the shooting section, I can't see that there is anything which would make this formation work. Have I missed something?

Have any of you guys tried to make this work? (appreciate it would have been with other rules)

Al

[Gunfreak]

I wasn't talking about figure unmbers, as I'll use my own sizes,

[jazbo]

"On thing I'm not sure about would be whether allied troops in the Swedish army, for instance, would stick with their existing practise or would they adopt the Swedish model. I would think the Swedes might prefer that, but they might not have had the opportunity to train them enough. "

They did.

The Scots mercenaries for example did fight in the same way as the native Swedish units. They were pretty well drilled from what I have read.

[MediumAl]

Thanks Jazbo - useful to know.

Al