Early Ostrogoths and Other Germanic Kn(F) mobs (Huw P-Y)

These armies have a few advantages for beginners, namely that they are in effect one trick ponies which, when they work, can be massively fun to use. 

On the negative side being based heavily upon their strike force which is notoriously fragile they can also come apart in a spectacular fashion.

I have however got a Sciri List which is relatively useable (in my opinion) and which is reproduced below.  Remember it has lots of impetuous troops which will inevitably involve a detailed read of the impetuous moves section of DBM which is slightly vague and hard to understand as well as being the victim of multiple interpretations, the best thing to do when it happens is seek agreement from an umpire or your opponent and apply a bit of common sense. 

Anyway on to the list.

Sciri in 469 AD

Command 1

CinC Irr Kn(F) - CinC -

6 Irr Kn(F) - Cavalry -

10 Irr Bw(I) - Archers -

3 Irr Ps(O) - Archers -

20 Els/18.5 EE

Command 2

Sub Irr Kn(F) - General -

6 Irr Kn(F) - Cavalry -

10 Irr Bw(I) - Archers -

3 Irr Ps(O) - Archers -

20 Els/18.5 EE

Command 3

Sub Irr Kn(F) - General -

3 Irr Kn(F) - Cavalry -

6 Irr Bw(I) - Archers -

5 Irr Ps(O) - Archers -

15 Els/12.5 EE

Command 4

Ally Irr Wb(S) - Rugian Ally General -

19 Irr Wb(S) - Rugian Allies -

20 Els/ 20EE

This list evolved from my quest to produce a working Gepid List (II/71) and attempts to provide the Kn and Wb of that list in a useable manner as the main bane of Kn(F) in my experience (other than Cv(S) of course) is decent foot, even Blade now that 3.1 has made them slightly more survieable against Knights.

The main commands (1,2 and 4) are all 20 Elements to allow for some flexibility in deployment.  The Warbans probably need to be deployed fairly centrally and hopefully where the enemy heavy foot is going to be.  If you are facing a mainly mounted army then consider flank marching them.  Also remember Wb(S) are pretty good against Bows and can cope with Rough terrain but are hampered in Difficult.

The Sciri Commands should aim to be on the wings where the mobility of the Kn can be exploited, re-inforce one wing with command 3 to provide a good attack and try not to risk the CinC or Command 2's sub general in combat. Command 3, well, if the general dies it's only a small command and the army is reasonably large so go ahead and put him in the front line! Of course if the ally is unreliable your attack may stall until he comes on line so try to deploy the knights where they will not need to move as you may need to hold them.  If you are facing an army with little heavy foot and a good ammount of Cv(S) then consider putting the Bw(I) where they can shoot, even Bw(I) can do damage to mounted opposition and when supported by the Kn may keep the other chap on his toes.

Terrain wise if you have to place any go for Rough going or gentle hills, both of which are Bw(I) friendly and try to avoid Difficult unless you are facing a manouverable enemy - such as a light horse based army -and need to constrain them.  Against foot armies Difficult going could provide them with good defensive positions to anchor flanks on and flanks are where Kn(F) shine.

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