Hi,

I had a chance to read through but still have not played the new game yet.

Thoughts,

I like the new calculation system better.  With the lower support numbers, it looks a bit better.  The rules say that you use the front rank for fighting values and the back rank for support values.  If a unit gets flanked, should you use the flank two units as the front rank?  I would think so since that is the current front rank.

The rules give a -1 penalty to a unit being flanked and a +1 bonus to a unit attacking in the rear.  The flanking penalty is actually a little better than the rear bonus because it drives down the enemy combat value thus making it more likely that you will double the enemy score.  Maybe a fix would be to give a unit attacking the rear a bonus of 1 AND the target unit a penalty of 1?

Pike rules as written are fine for all pole weapons...giving a significant advantage against cavalry.  There should probably be something specifically for pikes against non-pike troops assuming you want to have Pikes!    See my post in another thread about this.

I still think a single D6 gives too little of variation to the combat results given the higher combat values.  I spoke at great length about this in that lengthy MA discussion thread.  Maybe I spoke too long?

Anyway, I'll have a go soon with some stock armies from the spread sheet.

John

PS.  Are you going the DBA route with statick prebuilt armies or are they still going to be more free-form?

Hi Mark,

For comparison, DBA uses a D6 and is likely the source of inspiration for this game originally.  DBA has combat factors that generally hover around 3-4 points.  The D6, coincidentally also hovers around a 3-4 on the average.  So, for single combat, the D6 makes up about 50% of the total combat score.  For group combat, somewhat less.  Maybe only 1/3 in the case of pike supported by pike.

Regardless, 50% is a fine rational for single combat and MA seems to do that well.  Now I assume most folks will top out groups at 4 stands.  If you have all medium troops, with one heavy infatry then the total score would be 4+3+1+1.  A total of 9.  That means that the D6 makes up less than 1/3 of the total score but not by much.  It is sort of in line with DBA.

What if you capped combat factors at 10?  If a group makes up more than 10 points it counts as 10?  There is actually value in having a unit with a greater combat factor than allowed.  If you take 1 casualty, you still can fight on at max value. 

I've played MAA with 2D6 and that did work well but I too like the charm of a single D6.

John

Have you considered making everything support with 1 factor?  After all, anyone can push the shield wall forward and all will be about as effective.  There is the old arguement of what is stopping you from putting levies in the back and hevies in the front.  The answer is, of course, the new rules for calculation.  If the back units are weak, then if you get flanked, you will really be in trouble!