How close for ECW

[Last Hussar]

I know people put less on the base, but my ECW pike are as tight as I can get them - 15-16 on a 30mm base (4 ranks of 4). Is that too close?

[Terry37]

I think that would depend on how it looks, and if you like the look. I game in 15 MM, and use the HOTT rules. So my pike blocks for the Italian Wars period are 12 figures on a 40 x 40 MM base, and for the TYW I have 10 figures on a 40 x 40 MM base. For me this is the most I can mount n that size base.

Italian Wars S =sword/pole arm, O = drummer, A = arquebus and P = pike.

   SODS
   APPA
   APPA


TYW is a little different looking like this. M=musket, O = officer, D = drummer and P = pike.

   MODM
   MPPM
     PP

Don't know if this helps, but thought I'd share it just in case.

Terry

[paulr]

A related question is how deep should ECW pike be

From the very limited reading I've done it appears six ranks was common, the same as for musketeers

So perhaps our 'traditional' 2 deep shot and 4 deep pike is not the best representation

I'm currently thinking about 5 Pike and 10 Musketeers on a 12-13cm base, or possibly on three 4cm sabots 

[Westmarcher]

This is a site worth looking at IMO. Have a look at spacing in the Order, Open Order and Close Order sections.

http://syler.com/drillDemo/menu.html

I also recently posted this link on another thread that indicates that whilst shot could be 6 ranks deep in the 'Swedish Brigade' system, pikes could only be 5 ranks deep - reinforcing paulr's feeling that pikes should not be deeper than shot.

http://www.syler.com/Breitenfeld/infantry/SwedeBrigade.htm
[to get the best out of this resource, remember to click on sub-headings, animations and other internal links, etc.]

NB: Here's another link to Naseby - it's the same print kindly posted by Paul above but allows you to zoom in and out using the plus and minus icons.

https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/750070/plan-of-battle-of-naseby-1645

[Last Hussar]

This is how they are based - they are on 30mm square because that is what the rules say (Peter Pig RoF), and also they fit nicely in a Really Useful Box hobby tray (if the rules said 35mm or 25mm I would still have gone with 30mm!)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lasthussar/sets/72157621671630377/

You'll note the Shot is 3-4 deep as well.

[paulr]

 

[fred.]

I'm currently thinking about 5 Pike and 10 Musketeers on a 12-13cm base, or possibly on three 4cm sabots

I think that might look a little thin. I find that 8-9 figures is the fewest that look ok on a 40mm square base. Even then they will look fairly open order.

One detail did notice on the Nasbey engraving is that there is a gap between the pike element and the two shot elements. So basing the figures in the centre of the bases with a border would then look correct when they are put together to make a unit.

[sunjester]

Those look good to me. Have you got enough done for a game yet? 

[Dr Dave]

The whole point of pike is that they need to be shoulder to shoulder. Too spread out, too many gaps destroys the integrity of the unit. I'd pack 'em in!

[Last Hussar]

Ok, That's that question answered.  Will be starting a new thread - WITH A POLL (possibly)

[paulr]

I'm currently thinking about 5 Pike and 10 Musketeers on a 12-13cm base, or possibly on three 4cm sabots  :-

I think that might look a little thin. I find that 8-9 figures is the fewest that look ok on a 40mm square base. Even then they will look fairly open order.

One detail did notice on the Nasbey engraving is that there is a gap between the pike element and the two shot elements. So basing the figures in the centre of the bases with a border would then look correct when they are put together to make a unit.

That must of seemed like it made sense when I typed it

I'm currently thinking about two ranks of 5 Pike and 10 Musketeers...

I like the idea of gaps

[fred.]

2x5 figures on a 40mm base makes sense. You then have space for an officer at the back.

With a gap you might only need 4 in a rank?

[pierre the shy]

That must of seemed like it made sense when I typed it

I'm currently thinking about two ranks of 5 Pike and 10 Musketeers...

That makes a lot more sense