The Serbian Empire

 

This list is possibly one of the better way of using massed Irr Kn(S), only the Mediaeval French get more Kn(S) - and only because they can have one more Kn(S) general - and it allows for some relatively decent support troops as well.

 

As with most Kn heavy armies the weakness is strong heavy foot - come accross Pikes or massed Spear and you'll be in trouble.  In addition manouver based Cv(S) armies can cause a few issue - Abbasids for instance.  

 

The good part of the Serb list is that the supporting foot are actually quite good, you have a choice of Bd(O) or Sp(O), Ax(O) and Bw(O) to use as  a back up to the Kn and if you go with the minimum knights (12) and their generals you'll still field 15 Kn(S) which should be more than enough to do the job.

 

The following is a sample list I have used which seeks to bring the strengths of the army together and provide a relatively well balanced force:

 

Serbian Empire - post 1380

 

Command 1

CinC I Kn(S) - CinC -

4 I Kn(S) - Vlastela -

2 I LH(O) - Gusars -

4 I Bd(O) - Voynuks -

8 I Bw(O) - Serbian Archers -

19 Els/19 EE

 

Command 2

Sub I Kn(S) - Sub -

4 I Kn(S) - Vlastela -

2 I LH(O) - Gusars -

4 I Bd(O) - Voynuks -

8 I Bw(O) - Serbian Archers -

19 Els/19 EE

 

Command 3

Sub I Kn(S) - Sub -

4 I Kn(S) - Vlastela -

4 I LH(O) - Gusars -

10 I Ax(O) - Serbian Krayishnici -

19 Els/19 EE

 

Command 4

Ally I Kn(O) - Bosnian Ally -

1 Els/1 EE

 

Commands 1 to 3 are the same size, all based on the "disposable Knights" priciple, mass the Vlastela and let them do their work, and, when they die the opposition still need to get into the foot.  The foot is based upon the principle of have something for the occasion.  The two first commands can put Bw or Bd into the fray as appropriate, and both are fairly reasonable as Bw(O) are a good counter to mounted and Bd(O) to foort  Warband are a problem but hopefully the Vlastela will have done some damage before they reach the foot!  The third command is open flank/terrain.  10 Ax(O) are a good strike force although don't expect to tangle on a par with Ax(S) or Bw(O).  If you have the numbers however they should be able to swarm a bit of Rough or defend well in Difficult - such as the compulsary steep hill - and there are some extra gusars to mess about on the flank with. 

I use the Bosnian as either a distraction - he has after all always got at least 1 pip and as an individual element can march quite well - or as a baggage raider on a flank march.  Roll well when he comes on and he can get a surprisingly long way into the table and can provide an amusing distraction for the opponent.

The other advantage of this army is that the inevitabel counter to a defending Kn heavy army is some rough terrain from your opponent, the Bow and Ax quite lie Rough going and can deploy and fight in ti with no loss of capability.

 

The great thing about this army (in it's post 1380 form) is that you have a lot of choice, the Bw can be fielded as (I) and left at the back to bulk up some quite large Kn commands for example, a dedicated foot block of Bw(O) and Bd(O) can be fielded which is good against most opposition, and the Bosnian ally isn't just for baggage raiding - the following list gives him more of a rile for example:

 

Serbian Empire - Post 1380

 

Command 1

CinC I Kn(S) - CinC -

5 I Kn(S) - Vlastela -

6 I LH(O) - Gusars -

6 I Bw(I) - Serbian Archers -

1 I Hd(F) - Levies -

19 Els/18.5 EE

 

Command 2

SubI Kn(S) - Sub -

5 I Kn(S) - Vlastela -

6 I Bd(O) - Voynuks -

6 I Bw(I) - Serbian Archers -

1 I Hd(F) - Levies -

19 Els/18.5 EE

 

Command 3

Sub I Kn(S) - Sub -

2 I Kn(S) - Vlastela -

2 I Bw(I) - Serbian Archers -

4 I Hd(O) - Baggage Guards -

5 I Hd(F) - Levies -

14 Els/9.5 EE

 

Command 4

Ally I Bd(S) - Bosnian Allied Gen dismounted -

8 I Bw(O) - Bosnian Archers -

10 I Ax(O) - Bosnian Krayishnici -

19 Els/19 EE

 

This variant is bigger and works on the principle of each command has a role to support the game once the Kn are in close - being impetuous once combat is joined they'll keep themselves busy and require few pips to maintain - so the CinC has LH to cover a flank, the Sub (main) has some Bd to deal with Bw or other nasties and the Bosnian covers the terrain for you.  the small command is built to be expendible, fling the Kn (including the general) into the enemy in advance of the main force to cause disruption then try to follow this up by a strong attack from the rest of the army. 

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