Anuirean Pikemen (Cry Havoc)

[ryancaveney]

Discussion thread for Anuirean Pikemen (Cry Havoc) (http://www.birthright.net/brwiki/index.php/Anuirean Pikemen (Cry Havoc)). If you would like to add a comment, click the Post Reply button.

[ryancaveney]

I like the chain shirt. It's not the approach the 2e rulebook takes, or directly historical, but it is the best option for historical translation given 3e rules: the best AC modifier available as light armor.

I quibble with the skills, though. Knowledge (Nobility)? Individual infantrymen really neither know nor care about the inner workings of the nobility: they only need to know that they have to defer to them all, and obey ones wearing certain color combinations. Pikemen need a great deal of specific training in how to fight as a unit; otherwise, any time it tries to move, the formation will utterly disintegrate. I think something like Knowledge (Military) would be much more appropriate.


Ryan

[Sir Tiamat]

I like the chain shirt. It's not the approach the 2e rulebook takes, or directly historical, but it is the best option for historical translation given 3e rules: the best AC modifier available as light armor.

I quibble with the skills, though. Knowledge (Nobility)? Individual infantrymen really neither know nor care about the inner workings of the nobility: they only need to know that they have to defer to them all, and obey ones wearing certain color combinations. Pikemen need a great deal of specific training in how to fight as a unit; otherwise, any time it tries to move, the formation will utterly disintegrate. I think something like Knowledge (Military) would be much more appropriate.


Ryan
It can be changed if you wish.

I took knowledge nobility because it is typical of Anuirean culture, but any skill may do actually (including extra ranks in the other two). I think their combat training is already reflected in their warrior class though.

[kgauck]

Military units become far more effective when their members have selected the correct feats. Pikemen with Hold the Line produce something like the warcard effect.

[Sir Tiamat]

Military units become far more effective when their members have selected the correct feats. Pikemen with Hold the Line produce something like the warcard effect.

I am not familliar with hold the line, but it might replace the weapon focus.

[cccpxepoj]

hold a line is a ideal feath for pikemen and and should be the basic for they trening, buth i think that feath requires a combat reflexes

[ConjurerDragon]

cccpxepoj schrieb:
> This post was generated by the Birthright.net message forum.
> You can view the entire thread at:
> http://www.birthright.net/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=3829
> cccpxepoj wrote:
> hold a line is a ideal feath for pikemen and and should be the basic for they trening, buth i think that feath requires a combat reflexes
>
You are right:
>
>
> HOLD THE LINE [GENERAL]
>
> Prerequisites: Combat Reflexes
> <http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/featsAll.html#combat-reflexes>,
> base attack bonus +2.
>
> Benefit: You may make an attack of opportunity against a charging
> <http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/specialAttacks.html#charge>
> opponent who enters an area you threaten. Your attack of opportunity
> happens immediately before the charge attack is resolved.
>
> Normal: You only get an attack of opportunity against a character that
> exits a square you threaten.
>

[Sir Tiamat]

cccpxepoj schrieb:
> This post was generated by the Birthright.net message forum.
> You can view the entire thread at:
> http://www.birthright.net/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=3829
> cccpxepoj wrote:
> hold a line is a ideal feath for pikemen and and should be the basic for they trening, buth i think that feath requires a combat reflexes
>
You are right:
>
>
> HOLD THE LINE [GENERAL]
>
> Prerequisites: Combat Reflexes
> <http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/featsAll.html#combat-reflexes>,
> base attack bonus +2.
>
> Benefit: You may make an attack of opportunity against a charging
> <http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/specialAttacks.html#charge>
> opponent who enters an area you threaten. Your attack of opportunity
> happens immediately before the charge attack is resolved.
>
> Normal: You only get an attack of opportunity against a character that
> exits a square you threaten.
>

We can see from the high prerequisites that it is not a skill that ordinary pikemen would master. However, it would indeed be a great feat to master for elite pikemen; a unit of 2nd level fighters or 3rd level warriors.

[ShadowMoon]

I agree with Sir Tiamat, Hold The Line should be reserved for the experienced or elite Pikmen regiment. Besides, Polearms have special advantages against charge if used as ready action anyway.


Like; Longspear: A longspear has reach. You can strike opponents 10
feet (4 meters in D&D metric) away with it, but you can’t use it against an adjacent foe. If you
use a ready action to set a longspear against a charge, you deal double
damage on a successful hit against a charging character.

Though in my campaign Polearms can be used against an adjacent foe with -4 attack penalty.

EDIT: I would also reserve Chain Shirts for experienced troops too or even more likely remove it from their equipment list. BR Rulebook says that front line goes with Platemails and/or Breastplates, and rest of the regiment is unarmored. In my campaign Chain Shirts are normally unavailable to humans, because they are made by Elves.

And for Skills I would go for Intimidate, Sense Motive, and Warcraft.

PS:
IMHO Unit statistics should include Saves entry too...

[ShadowMoon]

This is how I would distribute armor and weapons for Anuirean Pikemen:

Green Anuirean Pikemen Unit:
Armor (Front line): Studded Leather
Armor (Rest): N/A
Weapons: Long Spear / Dagger

Skilled Anuirean Pikemen Unit:
Armor (Front line): Chain Mail
Armor (Rest): Studded Leather
Weapons: Long Spear / Short Sword

Veteran Anuirean Pikemen Unit:
Armor (Front line): Breastplate
Armor (Rest): Chain Mail
Weapons: Ranseur / Short Sword

Elite Anuirean Pikemen Unit:
Armor (Front Line): Plate Mail
Armor (Rest): Breastplate
Weapons: Glaive / Short Sword

...

[cccpxepoj]

yes the hold the line is a little to high for the standard pikemen but a elite unit of pikes should have it (like macedonian phalanx )