Some Death in the Dark Continent questions

[chicklewis]

Hi, Lead Adventurers,

I have the gorgeous new DitDC book, and am trying to build up a Nigerian army using my new Knights of the Savannah figures.  I couldn't find any DitDC-specific boards.  Is there such a focussed DitDC discussion group?

What I'm wondering is how to decide how many units versus how many bases per unit to use for my army.  

For instance, if I have decided to use 12 bases of skirmishers with bows, would they be more effective as two units of six bases each, four of three, three of four, or six units of two bases each?  I don't know how to think about these questions, nor what the variables for 'effectiveness versus fragility' would be.  

I get the feeling that since these guys will be facing a maxim mg, six units of two bases each might be the choice, as the maxim could only shred one unit per turn.  But if they would be facing raw musket-armed skirmishers, the decision would likely be different.  

Could anyone with experience with these rules give some advice as to how to make these decisions, AND how the decisions might be different for organizing twelve bases of elite heavy cavalry?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Chick

[grotuz]

I'm afraid the correct answer is "it depends".

As a native player you want to have the maximum (9) number of units because your opponent usually has fewer units. As you alternate moves you will find yourself with a few units that can move and your opponent won't have anything left to react to those units that turn. So you could wait until the end of the turn and then move a unit into position for a flank charge, or out of the arc of fire so they can't be shot.

The downside of small units though is that when they get eliminated anyone in 12" has to make a disorder check. So initially you may have an advantage in number of units but as they get shot up and wiped out that will go away.

So how big to make a unit? That depends on terrain available, scenario, and other variables. After you play a bit you'll get the feel for it.

Keep in mind that non-Elite  skirmishers can't engage in close combat. So you need to get them into firing range and hope the dice gods smile on you to make them effective.

[chicklewis]

"The downside of small units though is that when they get eliminated anyone in 12" has to make a disorder check. So initially you may have an advantage in number of units but as they get shot up and wiped out that will go away."

Thanks, I was suspicious that this would be the case.   Good Insight. 

"So how big to make a unit? That depends on terrain available, scenario, and other variables. After you play a bit you'll get the feel for it."

Yah, certainly true, but the reason I asked the question was to shorten my learning curve by using the hard-won knowledge of those such as yourself who have played more. 

Do you have another variable that you would be willing to discuss here?  If so, I will appreciate it. 

[grotuz]

Four other quick variables are what army are you playing, what army is your opponent playing, what is the scenario, and what is your strategy.

I'm not trying to be mysterious. There is no set formula for best size unit. This isn't a set of rules that is subject to being min/maxed to find the "perfect" unit. I've used all different size units for natives and have both won and lost with big and small units. Example, I used 8 bases of Arabs Skirmishers stretched out in a line to shield the rest of the army as they advanced, hoping that it would let me get close enough after one turn to move the rest of the army into firing range on the following turn. I rolled low, they got a lot of disorders, and spent almost the rest of the game trying to lose the disorders. That was 40 points worth of army that essentially was useless after a turn. But if the rolls went the other way....who knows.

The game plays fast. You'll have plenty of chances to try different things and see what works best for you.

I will add that from my experience, don't use your natives piece meal. Euro fire will mow them down if you use them one or two units at a time. Make a plan and commit to the plan. Changing your mind half way through usually leads to disaster.

[chicklewis]

Good advice, and nice insights.  Thanks, Grotuz. 

[James Morris]

Hiya,  are you on Facebook?  The DITDC Players Group is very active and includes Nick Eyre of Northstar:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/259046974534553/?multi_permalinks=310272406078676&notif_t=group_highlights&notif_id=1496265328131940

I've played many games of DITDC and have generally found units of 2-4 bases most useful; however, if you are playing 300 points with an army with a lot of cheap troops, then you have the 9 unit limit which will force your hand to have some larger units.  If you look at my Azande army (featured in the sample armies in the rulebook) you'll see I have the Elite Skirmishers in 3-base units, but the cheaper regular Skirmishers are in 5-base units. 

Generally-speaking, smaller units are more manouverable, but larger units have a few advantages.  If you want to screen a unit behind from a unit with heavy firepower, a large unit can cover a wider frontage so that they must be shot at rather than the unit behind.  Warrior/ Elite skirmisher units (that you expect to get into close combat) can benefit from numbers as well, as more bases = a better chance of engaging as many enemy bases as possible (therefore stopping them from shooting at unengaged bases) and more options to get the flank attack bonus.

Heavy Cavalry I have usually used in 2, 3 or 4 base units. 

[chicklewis]

Good stuff, friends, THANKS !   I can hardly wait to get them on the table.