Early War Parliamentarians

[Jammers]

Ye gads! You can tell the lists were written by a Royalist

So, how to get some flavour between the two lists without using the Characters*?

Royalists have Gallopers (-2 pts) and Elite Pike (0 - 1). So far as i can see Parliament simply has access to a 2nd unit of Cuirass, compulsory Lvl 7 Cavalry Commanders and a slightly worse General.

I can see Caracole being houseruled for a start. Only Royalist cavalry ever counter-charged eh? Fair enough, the Caracole rule [and Galloper] creates a difference between the two cavalry types but Caracole in particular looks like a blunt instrument as written.

The Royalists have the option of taking Gallopers or not. Gallopers must counter-charge if charged but are not compelled to charge. Parliamentarian horse may only Caracole when charged and hope they cause a disorder presumably.

*Prince Rupert adding Ferocious Charge looks a no-brainer

We'll play it as written to begin with and then see

[SteveMorgan]

Hi Jammers

The Caracole rule is indeed a very blunt tool, and has taken a lot of stick as a tactic. However, it was the preferred method used by Parliament at the beginning of the war (which didn't go too well).
The idea of giving Royalists the galloper rule was to make them a bit unpredictable...they may be good initially but soon over extend themselves as you have to charge with sweeping advances where possible which gives little option for rallying.
The addition of Cromwell and his Ironsides make things better for early parliament; don't underestimate Cuirassiers either, they really are rather tough.
The NMA has no such issues with the caracole, Parliament had managed to adapt their tactics by the late war and it is not a rule for any NMA cavalry.

Cheers

Steve

[Jammers]

Hi Jammers

The Caracole rule is indeed a very blunt tool, and has taken a lot of stick as a tactic. However, it was the preferred method used by Parliament at the beginning of the war (which didn't go too well).
The idea of giving Royalists the galloper rule was to make them a bit unpredictable...they may be good initially but soon over extend themselves as you have to charge with sweeping advances where possible which gives little option for rallying.
The addition of Cromwell and his Ironsides make things better for early parliament; don't underestimate Cuirassiers either, they really are rather tough.
The NMA has no such issues with the caracole, Parliament had managed to adapt their tactics by the late war and it is not a rule for any NMA cavalry.

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve

Thanks for replying.

I don't see the Characters being around really in the smaller games [500 - 750 pts]. Otherwise we're going to see an awful lot of Prince Rupert v The Eastern Association.

The Royalists don't have to take Gallopers, the Parliamentarians are rather stuck with their Horse options IMO. I'd have thought that Cuirass were the exception rather than the rule; the South-West aside

Wasn't there a mid-war period prior to NMA?

Anyhow, good work

James