"How Many Apaches Do You Need?" Topic

According to Osprey's recent Apache Tactics 1830-86, fighting with the Apaches was "a classic 'small war'." Numbers of fighters could vary from 50 to 3,000…

So, how many Apache miniatures do you need?

No more than 3,000, apparently.

Injuns? I thought this was about helicopters.

3000 Apaches? In one place, at one time? No way. Even if someone could make arrangements to feed them, they would have fought among themselves. The different bands and tribes were never politically united and often feuded.

Maybe 200 warriors in the biggest war-parties ever. Probably 10 to 30 in a raiding party was more typical.

I have about 8. I might get more, but in the meantime, the most Apaches that I need is 8.

I agree with Zippy, for the most part, but still think even 200 would be a stretch.

30 max.

SMC1 said. I'd use 20-25.

I have 20 mounted and 20 on foot for when they are hiding along the walls of a canyon.

Well…
I bought a box of them a while back for a 'STEAL'!!!
And it was!
$50 USD for 150 (some on horse) Foundry figs.
I got about 3 done so far…

I have 2 units of twenty so far, mainly Artizan and Foundry. This seem right for small action and skirmish games on a 6 by 4 table.

I've got 2 flights of 2 each plus the supporting Kiowas with the laser designators. Never found a use for more than that especially with the minimum range of the Hellfires.

I agree with zippy as well. I think I have about 30 mounted and dismounted. I have been so busy with my Sioux wars that I have done nothing with them so far.

WOW!!! richarDISNEY you sure did get a steal. Congratulations.

Tom

30 sounds like a nice, round number.

Of course, you'll need to double or triple that to include mounted figs and casualties.

20-30

Does it matter? It's an open license, so you can run as many instantiations as you want…

Uh, Zippy, you should read more history about the Apaches. Before the coming of the white man they had bigger groupings – especially before the Comanches kicked their butts. But during the classic Wild West Apache decade or so, I'd go with no more than 90 warriors and a slightly smaller number of villagers, could make do with half that and still be okay. These numbers work for me – and my collection.

"Apache war parties come in all sizes; theres the kind with a hundred warriors and the kind with just one"

Burt Lancaste said that and he should know.

Uh, Zippy, you should read more history about the Apaches.

Early morning writer, I'm always ready to learn.

I have read that before the Comanches got horses, back when the dog was the only pack and draft animal, the Apaches lived as nomadic buffalo hunters on the Texas plains. But I doubt whether, even in the days of their prosperity, the Apaches had the social organization and logistics to support armies of thousands of warriors.

I would be interested to know what evidence you have for a war party of > 200 Apache warriors, at any place, at any time. Thanks.

Four. Because you never can see more than four as they rush you…that said, I have about forty.

"How Many Apaches Do You Need?"

LOL. I thought this was going to be a non-PC version of a lightbulb joke.

Dan

Easy answer: If you are buying Old Glory: 30, 60, 90…. (Not a slam, Russ, I love the Old Glory Apaches)

I have 3 mounted versions of foot figures, 12 civs, & i think maybe 15 foot warriors?

Aside from the mounted figures, they fit nicely into a little plastic toolbox I custom-padded… my most portable posse!

Three-to-one versus U.S. Cavalry sounds about right.