"Lost Battles: Basing Requirements?" Topic

Is there any reason I have to follow the 1:2:4 convention for basing veteran, average and levy units, respectively? Could I play the game using the single-based units I'm building for Impetus?

Units can be based any way you like as the play is entirely zone to zone. I have played using DBA elements.

It helps to be able to distinguish between the morale values in big battles, and you need to be able to mark/distinguish when the units become shattered.

It is worth noting that Veteran units represent far fewer actual soldiers than Levy units (one of Phil's explicit concepts) so the real units would actually be much different in size – but it doesn't affect any game mechanic …

Goof luck

Phil Steele
soawargamesteam.blogspot.com

That's a relief. I have a budding Achaemenid Persian army in 15mm and a Macedonian one to boot, each being built for Impetus. I can't imagine trying to convince my wife that I need three levy colonist cavalry units, each with 24 horsemen. Yikes.

Thanks for the info.

One thing you can do with the bigger bases (my gaming buddy uses 80mm x 80mm bases) is have one element represent one average unit or two units of veterans. For levy units you can then put two bases together (assuming you have enough bases…). Not essential, but it helps you keep track of what's what.

It's quite impressive when you do follow the proportions and see, say, Magnesia on the table. It gives a good sense of the relative numbers involved and really brings home the importance of leadership and morale as an equalizer (but I digress!).

Cheers,
Aaron

As above, you can be as flexible as you like, you just need some way of tracking unit quality. I usually try and do levy with at least two bases to remind me of their lower stacking limit. My stuff is all 25mm dbx based.

I can swing two bases per levy unit, probably, but four is a stretch – impressive as that must be. Maybe one day I can fill it all out.

Embarrassing to admit, but I find the fighting value/unit proportion/stacking limit discussion in Lost Battles mystifying. Not sure why.

The stacking limits are less mystifying if you the follow the 1:2:4 convention suggested in the rules :-)

I just finished an EAP army in 15mm, its a fun project to do, although its also the biggest army I have completed in terms of figures, cause there was so much 'levy' level rubbish to paint.

Which figures and what sort of list are you using?

Mine are here:

link

Nice job, Keraunos. I have a massive stack of Xyston and Old Glory Late Achaemenids to do up. I'll be bookmarking your page for some inspiration!

A few things to get through first though, unfortunately :)

Cheers,
Aaron