British Grenadier Rules - Questions - Use of Skirmishers / Skirmish Basing AWI

[AKULA]

The rules seem pretty relaxed on basing in general and skirmishers in particular, but I wanted to asked what anyone that plays BG actually uses in terms of basing for their skirmishers in AWI games.

My questions fall into two categories:


1. I appreciate that it was common for the British Light Infantry to fight in a more traditional regiment formation (treated as elites)... do you tend to base these units as per your "regular" battalions, and use other detached light companies as your skirmish screen?


2. What bases size/shapes do you use for your skirmish screen?  Do you use different sizes for 2 figure bases vs 3 figure bases as the rule seem to suggest?


Please note: I'm only asking about usage of forces for British Grenadier games...I know that there are other rulesets available...for the sake of this thread, please confine your answers to BG.

Thanks in advance

 

[Jemima Fawr]

Yeah, just base the majority as pairs, then a few militia types in threes, just for the odd scenario where you might need them.

Basically, the overwhelming majority of skirmishers are going to be reasonably well-trained in the role (even if they're from a unit that might not be so good fighting in line), so roll 1d6 per pair of figures.  But a few based in threes are always handy to have (poor skirmishers roll 1d6 per three figures).

In my own collection, in terms of skirmishers I've got:

Enough British LI skirmishers to replace one of the two formed LI battalions (12 pairs).
Enough Queen's Rangers skirmishers to deploy the whole battalion as such (10 pairs).
Some skirmishing 16th Light Dragoon LI Troop (3 pairs).
Some skirmishing Highlanders (2 pairs). 
Some skirmishing Guards Light Coy (3 pairs).

On the rebel side I've got a load of skirmishing riflemen (10 pairs).
Some skirmishing Continentals (3 pairs).
Some skirmishing Militia (3 triples).
Some skirmishing States Line (3 triples).

I could probably use a few triples to represent the less able Loyalist regiments and a few more pairs of Continental skirmishers.

[Jemima Fawr]

Of course you can base them all as pairs or triples and just designate them as either 'good' or 'bad' skirmishers through adding a label or marker to the base.  As long as the players understand what they are, the number of figures on the base doesn't really matter.

[AKULA]

Thanks mate for taking the time to give such a detailed response - much appreciated!

Everyone else appears to be occupied arguing over what constitutes a revolution...sort of ironic really 

[Jemima Fawr]

No worries (I forgot the Hessian Jaeger - also in pairs).

Talking about a revolution, you say? 

Are they standing in the welfare lines, crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation?  Wasting time in the unemployment lines, sitting around waiting for a promotion?

I believe it's traditional...