"Basing 6mm for multiple rule sets" Topic

I know I'm going about this a bit bass ackward but I want to base my 6mm Baccus figures in ranks based upon how each nation fought. For example I will base my British infantry for the Peninsular War 2 strips deep per base and will have five bases per regular sized unit. For my French I am thinking to have 3 Strips deep and four bases per regular sized French unit. I am thinking that my Russians, Bavarians and Duchy of Warsaw (and eventually Austrians) troops should be based the same as the French. Would this be wrong? What else would you advice? I should point out that I play multiple rule systems including Black Powder and I want to base as universally as

But they all fought in two lines!!

As I see it, the prevailing evidence from modern research shows that the two deep line was the standard since the 3rd rank was either used for skirmishing (as per Ney´s 1805 instructions, or rather description of standard practice) or for filling up the casualities, which would be the case for most units on campaign.

So perhaps it is time to rewrite rules that base british differently from other nations, especially those that give a special "two rank bonus".

I always thought the two deep line was simply to make up normal battalion frontage in understrength units and regulations stipulated a three deep line as standard?

I thought the same as latto6plus2 which is why my three rank would have more troops. What are some good sources were this information can be found?

Hello Private Matter!

The two rank vs three rank is kind of a red herring. It's simply for looks. The depth of your figures is out of scale anyway, so the more lines you use the more out of whack your depth is. Today a lot of people are simply using bases that look good to them and give them the most flexibility.

Since you play multiple rule systems and are using Baccus figures I would simply use their basing system. This also allows you to buy your figures to match so you don't have odd figures or need extra command figures etc.

Their basing allows you to play their rule system Polemos, Volley & Bayonet and Grande Armee pretty much as is. Those that play Black Powder use it as one base or two bases that are attached. I think just about any rule system can be easily adjusted to handle these bases.

You can also increase the size of your forces fairly easy as these bases are often found for sale on ebay.

Best regards,

Glenn

Private Matter,

Rather than worrying about the number of ranks per base, if you want to play at a level where battalion formations matter, you should be more concerned with the number of bases per battalion, which should represent the number of tactical subunits in a battalion in a way that enables you to form your battalions up in the correct formations.

Napoleonic wargames formations are generally far too deep anyway; adding a third rank makes them even more so.

Jurgen