"Basing armored horse archers" Topic

I'm going to be adding some armored horse archers (Avars, Late Romans) to my collection. I usually base HC 7 figures per base (4 rear rank, 3 front rank), and skirmishing LC 5 figures per base (3 + 2 looser).

My question is: do we know (or can guess) whether armored horse archers maneuvered in a more dense formation than the typical unarmored horse archer? Is there at least a wargaming standard for these troops? Best guess?

Thanks,

Christopher

Which rules are you using?

I don't like to pin my basing to specific rules, but both rules I favor (Comitatus for me, AMW with the kids) treat them as Heavy Cavalry. The basing I'm using for this period is big 60mm frontage bases, 1 per unit. From a functional point of view basing them as HC would make sense, but the "look" of the unit at maneuver and firing seems better in looser formation. Not a big deal, but I thought I would see what people think.

There are several books on Byzantine military practices. Maurice's Strategikon, which includes tactics that date back to the period you are interested in, has the armored cavalry in formed bodies and also skirmishing. It mentions several different types of tactics used by them. However, most rules require one type of basing or the other and do not allow units to switch from formed to skirmish or skirmish to formed. They usually have them based as formed cavalry. Examples of this would be the Field of Glory army lists for Sassanid Persia, Late Romans, and Early Byzantines. Their army list for Huns and some others have unarmored horse archers in both skirmish and/or formed.

Mmke it easy on yourself and base them as single figures and use movement trays, easy to make yourselve and to use in whatever rules you wil be playing.

The funny thing is, that is exactly the practical advice I gave my son as he and I started to organize his collection of 28's. Of course, completely ignoring my own advice, I based my 15's in intricate little diorama's … I think if all wargamers were practical then half the business would be out of business. ;)

I've decided to base them as HC in more dense ranks, and if I ever play rules that allow the unit to break into skirmish formation I'll just paint up another single figure or two to mark the increased frontage.

Thanks for the feedback!

Christopher