Starter force for Pikeman's Lament?

[julesav]

Hi Guys

A good pal is pretty keen on playing ECW using PL - what sort of size forces am I looking at buying to get gaming with him? Sample ECW force lists would be useful!

[Romark]

Hi,as a small starter force you could buy the boxed set from WarlordGames ECW range,Firelock Storming Party,the eighteen figures will give you a 24 point force,three units of six veteran forlorn hope,eight points each.
Hope that helps 
Cheers
Keith

[julesav]

Cheers Romark. But wouldn't a box of the Warlord plastic infantry do that too, plus add some alternative troops?

[Ahistorian]

The firelock party has more variation and is nicer for skirmish.

[Romark]

The firelock party has more variation and is nicer for skirmish.

Plus it's a small force to allow you to start gaming sooner 

[Wirelizard]

I haven't looked at this in detail to confirm, but apparently the Warlord Batallia box is enough for two full Pikemans Lament forces, so you and your mate could split it up between you.

[DintheDin]

I haven't looked at this in detail to confirm, but apparently the Warlord Batallia box is enough for two full Pikemans Lament forces, so you and your mate could split it up between you.

Indeed, Warlord Battalia has 80 infantry (24 Pike, 48 Shot, 8 command), 24 Cavalry and 10 firelocks (could be used as Detached Shot).

IMHO, from the few games I've played the core for a PL starter force should be 2 Shot and one Pike unit, with at least one or two units of Gallopers or Trotters. The remaining unit(s) may be one of Dragoons or Detached Shot (if you choose the latter - @2 points - you may upgrade one of the rest).
For the few first games the two forces should be identical in composition with a minimal (or no) terrain.
Forlorn Hope, Guns, Clansmen and Clubmen are very characterful indeed, but should be added gradually in your OOB as you master the game.     

[julesav]

Thanks for the input guys! I'm still undecided but I think that's more my indecisiveness than anything else!

[DintheDin]

Ok. The most representative sample size force for Pikeman's Lament could be:
12 foot figures for one unit Pikemen
24 (2x12) foot figures for two units Shot
6 figures for one unit Dragoons (mounted, dismounted, horseholder... as you think)
12 (2x6) cavalry figures for two units Gallopers/Trotters.

I was never collecting 28mm figures (I'm very tempted of course  ), so, all our Pikeman's Lament games have been played with 15mm or 20mm figures.

We use one 15mm base for each two 28mm figures, for example a unit of pikemen consists of six 15mm bases, a unit of gallopers, 3 bases etc.

As the game is very forgiving on base shape, if possible, give it a try with the figures you already have so that to have a more concrete image, then you decide.