Dragoons Basing Question

[FleeingMonkey]

I know this is probably done by preference but what is the recommended way of basing dismounted dragoons? Do you base like line infintry and have 4 guys on a 40 x 40 base one base per base of horses or do you base them with two guys on 40x20 base matching the number of horses?

[grant]

I know this is probably done by preference but what is the recommended way of basing dismounted dragoons? Do you base like line infintry and have 4 guys on a 40 x 40 base one base per base of horses or do you base them with two guys on 40x20 base matching the number of horses?

IF it was me, and I haven't tackled my Dragoons yet - but I will base them on a 40x20 and have one base per 2 horses, as per your latter suggestion. Make sure you post pictures when yours are done!

[FleeingMonkey]

Hah you got it will be 15mm Spanish succession french force. Essex minis just figuring my force out so I know what to buy. Though it will be a while before pics because I'm still working on my 10mm first crusades force for warmaster.

[Big Al]

You'll likely find that a 40x40 base is too shallow. I use 2 figures on a 40x45mm base. The fit nicely, the extra 5mm isn't an issue, but then, depth isn't an issue in BP anyway.

[CplJohn]

Hi,

I have based the dragoons themselves in pairs, so they can be seperated out as skirmishers but you can also place them together as close order infantry ( in which form they were sometimes used, especially in the WSS ).

The horseholders I base as a diaorama circular base, with a few horses and holders on the base and usually some interesting vignette! The base is only a marker to indicate where the horses are, so I like to have a little fun with the bases.

cheers

[FleeingMonkey]

So do you keep the horses at a distance or do they move with the dismounted dragoons? If they are qt a distance or as a marker do the dismounted troops have to reach them before mounting up? Its going to be a while for my first game but I am excited.

[CplJohn]

Hi again,

We tend to move the Dragoon horses with them if skirmishing, as this is what they would have done. However, our players usually dont take the mick with this, usually moving to where they want to go as mounted troops and then dismounting to hold an objective etc. Further moves are usually small moves to adjust to enemy movements etc. I could see how the rule of allowing the mounts to move with the dismounted dragoons could be abused, ( eg: dragoons dismounting and moving around as skirmishers to avoid casualties before moving to a location, mounting up and charging as cavalry ) Ungentlemanly rules lawyers must be rooted out, and if this sort of behaviour became common place I would introduce a rule that said mounts had to stay put and the troops must return to them to mount up again!

hope this helps

cheers