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Dismounted Dragoon and Mounted Cavalry Firing Questions

Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 8:33 pm
by Brett
Hi

Would somebody be able to let me have the answers to the following please?

1) If two squadrons of Dragoons from the same Regiment dismount, can they form up and fire as one unit with two bases?

2) Can mounted cavalry fire? I'm mainly thinking of French cavalry in the WSS firing pistols when charging specifically, as they are penalised as Bullet cavalry in melee as they should be, but they don't seem to be able to fire on the way in.

Thanks

Brett

Re: Dismounted Dragoon and Mounted Cavalry Firing Questions

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 3:02 am
by barr7430
Brett,

The whole 'firing on the way in' thing is wrapped up in the concept of Blade and Bullet. You may find that frustrating but taking the example of cavalry against foot, a squadron of 80 or so men with pistols are unlikely to have made much of an impact on 600 men in 6 deep line with muskets and pikes other than to frighten them into running away. Therefore the morale check takes care of part of the effect and the close combat if it happens, the other.

Sometimes wargamers like the mechanical process ie, I declare, I check, I charge , I fire, I fight but often that can be rolled up in the overall flow of what is happen with the same output and less steps. I chose this latter way with interconnectivity between the phases declare - check - charge - fight.

There is a counter argument regarding fighting against other horse but remember - Blade Horse had pistols too!So in BLB it's about the effect of tactical doctrine not the mechanical steps.

Hope this helps
B

Re: Dismounted Dragoon and Mounted Cavalry Firing Questions

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:56 am
by Churchill
Hi Brett,

Yes you are quite correct two squadron's of dragoon's i.e. 12 figures would dismount into two bases of 5 figures each as 2 dragoon's would be horse holder's.
As for the pistol firing French Horse.
It is said that the French Horse during the WSS held onto the old tactic of riding upto a enemy formation and firing a volley of pistol's before continuing into contact.After all it had worked with success in the past.
It caused few casualties and slowed their momentum.
The Allied Horse on the other hand were ordered to charge at full speed with sword in hand which gave them the advantage.
I think the rules between Blade & Bullet cavalry work's well and gives the taste of the period.

Cheers,

Ray.

Re: Dismounted Dragoon and Mounted Cavalry Firing Questions

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:48 pm
by Brett
Hi Chaps

Thank you for your replies and for the clarification.

Cheers

Brett