"2, 3 or 4 rank infantry units" Topic

Those of you that do medieval 1300-1500 period how many ranks do you use for your infantry. I did first think of just two ranks. First rank men at arms. Second rank infantry. It might not look medieval enough. So I thought mabye 1 rank men at arms and two ranks infantry. And I'm even toying with 2 ranks men at arms and two ranks infantry. But now we are 48 figures pr unit.

Depends on the rules you are using. Some rule sets give bonus's to multiple ranks. If that isn't a factor, depends on what I want the table to look like. Do I want to cover the table with large units or lots of smaller units. How much maneuvering do I want to do, smaller units are easier to move IMHO.

Most rules have units that are made up of one specific type of infantry, i.e., unit 1 is men at arms, unit 2 is a unit of spearmen, unit 3 is a unit of longbow, etc. Consider your painting time for such large units, gunfreak. Do you want to be painting up these guys forever?

I have no specific planes except doing some odd units.

Black powder allows for units to be made up of two "types" as seen in their dark age scenario. Where they have hird in front and bondi back.

My plan was to have just 2 or 3 and class them as large units in BP. Then regular units of other types.

Another issue is how large figures you are using.

More generally your MAA serving dismounted are likely to have been scattered through the unit as junior leaders/'corset staves' rather than forming a front rank…Boroughbridge, Myton, Bannockburn and so on.