"Rebels and Patriots - unit size question" Topic

I'm reading the Rebels and Patriots rule book.

On p26 it says a unit with no Disorder Markers rolls 12 dice and a unit with one or more Disorder Markers rolls 6 dice.

Is this the same regardless of the size of the unit?
If so, it would mean that there is no point having normal or large sized units since small units will give you far more bang for your buck.

Or am I missing something?

If I recall correctly, smaller units (6-figure) provide the same amount of firepower initially as normal units (12-figure) and large units (18-figure), but are more brittle.

When a unit take 50% casualties, the unit becomes permanently disordered. So a small unit is permanently disordered after 3 casualties, while a normal unit can take 6 and a large unit 9.

So, while you have the same initial firepower, you can lose it quicker.

If this is true, I have no idea how the rule writers justify it. Its a skirmish set. So, one fig is one man.
Seems that a 6 man unit should shoot like 6 men, and would be more fragile.
Its the only thing that makes sense to me.

The unit size does not impact firing in Rebels and Patriots. It is always 12/6 dice depending on unit morale. In melee, troops identified as skirmishers throw only 6 dice. Other units, though small, get the usual 12/6.

The big disadvantage is morale, small units can't afford to loose men. Another disadvantage is cost. A smaller unit, all other factors being equal, only costs one point less. That means, for example, a small line unit is three points, versus the normal four. So you really get only a few units more for the same cost, and they are more brittle. Pick your poison.

I've not read the rules but I'm with Pan Marek on this one, not sure how the firepower is justified. Just seems like a "game mechanics" thing.