Just completed our second game. The question was asked as to why the skirmish rating of a unit has such an effect on cannister fire? What's the rationale behind it?
Also palyed the optional impetuous cavalry rule for the Brits. They never lost a combat and never failed a Discipline test.......
Regards
Hi
Skirmishers were used to screen the formed units behind.
Regards
My assumption was that when you're in canister range, your skirmishers are in range to be able to suppress the gun crew and reduce their rate of fire and effectiveness.
Correct on both
remember that gunners had a degree of self preservation. If skirmishers are a threat to them they will need to defend themselves. The result being that they direct at least some of their fire on loose groups of men, rather than the formed bodies behind.
Guys,
Thanks for the responses. I phrased the question very badly. I'm aware of the fact that skirmishers tried to supress/disrupt enemy artillery/infantry and prevent the enemy skirmishers doing the same to their side. I was really wondering at the distance they do it. Short range for a medium artillery piece is 8 BW. That is cannister range. Now I know skirmishers operate out in front of their parent battalions. But that far out? Seems a bit harsh on the artillery.
Don't get me wrong, I find the handling of skirmishers in this game very elegant. Just curious on this point.
S.
A few assumptions are built-in.
First, that everything is in motion, and therefore the artillery fire is happening during the approach of the enemy infantry, from any number of possible positions or distances.
Second, that the gunners might be aiming for the skirmish line - something that would be less significant with roundshot, but very significant with canister.
And third, that the skirmishers get out of the way if the infantry actually assaults the battery; hence you don't subtract the SK when firing against a contact.
Elegant is the adequate word for the handling of skirmishers in this ruleset!
Rafa
Wargaming with Napoleonic Miniatures
Project Leipzig
Alkaid Ediciones
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