Small Cavalry Units Shooting

[getback]

Small unit gets -1 shooting dice. So a small cavalry unit gets no shooting dice. Seems a little harsh. We are thinking of giving them one dice with a -1 factor.

[grant]

I agree - they should have some ability to shoot if so armed!

[Jammers]

Seems reasonable

[HobbitMiles]

I'm outraged by this sensible concensus of opinion.

[mikeland]

I'm outraged by this sensible concensus of opinion.

Okay then I disagree.... i think for small cavalry units, historically speaking, their firearms were just for show and they would simply glower (Parliament) or simper (royalist) at the enemy (sorry about in any other P&S wars I only know ECW).

[Cubster]

I have proof that individuals in small cavalry and dragoon units of the 16th and 17th century only had the sort of gun with a cork on a piece of string.

This is a small unit of dismounted cossacks skirmishing in woods.

[Big Al]

Can I just point out that in the other rule systems, BP and HC, the -1 dice is already included in the unit size stats. So if the small unit has 1 dice for shooting, you don't then give a -1 dice modifier. I'm sure that Steve will confirm this when he finally takes a look. So for example, if a standard unit has 3 dice, then a small unit will have 2, not 2 -1. Are you sure that you aren't just allocating a second dice reduction?

[SteveMorgan]

Hi
The rules are written as a -1 to the shooting value of the unit if it is small (as well as reductions in hand to hand and stamina). This can mean that units get reduced to a 0 shooting value. This is not to represent that they suddenly lose their pistols (in the case of cavalry) but more that the unit is too small to trouble an enemy from the fire they can give, and therefore lose any ability to cause disorder from shooting.
This is one of the main reasons for making the range of 'standard' size unit so large (6 to 12 for cavalry). In theory it allows players to make some units better per man than the enemy by having a 6 man standard unit against 12 man standard units. Personally, I don't like to field cavalry units in less than 6's but if this doesn't fit well, please feel free to change to suit.
The idea of keeping 1 dice at reduced effectiveness would work fine if that appeals to you.
Cheers
Steve