"What size are your WAB units?" Topic

Just curious as there is no set standard from I can see. I was thinking 20 man units for normal stands and 10 for skirmishers. Looking to do Trojans and Greeks in 28mm.

Suggestions?

Well, it depends on what army you have. I reckon celtic/gallic warbands (depending upon armour and cost) need to be sixty to have a chance at a EIR 24 figure cohort. This presumes shield and no armour at about 5 points each.

I used 24-30 figure infantry units, which was pretty common with the group I played with. I think my Macedeon pikes were at 32 figs.

My Macedonian and Greek Phalanxes are 32-40 strong. Cav units are 10-16 strong, usually 12 though, skirmishers are about 12-18.

For Trojan War I use 24 man infantry units, 10 man skirmish units and 5 chariots to a unit.

For Saxons and Vikings I use 24 man units typically.

I find that it does make a difference, especially with phalanxes. To get them to be somewhat unwieldy you really need to go with bigger units that are difficult to wheel around on the table.

I have yet to actually play a game yet. But my 1500 point EIR legionaries are in 16 man units and my aux units are 20 man infantry and 10 man cav.

My paper list barbarians are 25-40 man units, 15 man skirmishers, or 10 man cav. Have yet to get the minis for this force though, which is why I have yet to play.

24-32 is my general rule for infantry. If you can you really want four ranks (rank bonus) and a decent front.

I'm all over the place. My Assyrians are all 20 figure units. My Hittites are 20 to 28 figures. I never run a pike block less than 25.

I use skirmishers to fill out list. 10 is a good number, but I'll go as low as 7, lower than that the are two fragile. I don't go much above 14 with these units because then they are to hard to move effectively.

My unit sizes haven't really changed from WRG 6th days. Pikes 32, reg infantry 24, guard types 16, warbands 32-40, skirmishers and cav 12. Exceptions are (as HB above) smaller EIR units to try and represent their flexibility, and larger Late Persian cav (18-24) as they seemed to fight en masse historically. Works for me.
I haven't got round to my Saxons and Vikings yet, but 24 would be the standard. Maybe larger units of dross.

Our ancients 28mm gaming group changed from WAB 1.5 and 2.0 to Clash of Empires (COE). Basically the same game format but without some of the crazy movement issues and character capabilities of WAB. Same basing… same size units etc. Lots of lists on line for Clash of Empires… over 100 I think.. all free. Their lists are specific on unit sizes so players cannot roster weird unit formations. Great Escape Games on the internet search. Overall a better cleaner version of WAB rules.

For unit sizes… same as above in general comments. 20-24 miniatures for regulars and 32+ for the hairy ones. WAB 2.0 and COE generally have close order infantry units three ranks vs. the older WAB 1.0 and 1.5 rules with four ranks (common for depth bonuses etc).

Well, I, for one, LIKE the characters as available in WAB. I think it helps define ancient combat better than other systems. Plus, it has oracles, etc, that should really be addressed in any ancient systems, since divination, magic and the influence of the Gods were all very real to those ancient people, and impacted virtually every part of their daily lives.

But I digress.

My own preferences were for multiple of 12. Romans were usually in groups of 24. Pikes in units of 36, and celts/barbarian types in units of 24-48 depending on classification, etc.

To my own eyes, and for no other reason, the units seem to look "right" on the table in those multiples.

Glad to see WAB getting some love. Too bad 2.0 was such a fiasco.
I have to agree with TKindred on his point of how superstition impacted the ancients' daily lives and especially with what we know about Greek culture.
-Edgar