Art De La Guerre

[Bulldog85]

Working on an Early Successor list (41). Basically, I can have a Corps with 5 Phalangites & 4 Archers (Competent Commander), or 5 Phalangites & 3 Archers (Brilliant Commander).

Which one is more valuable, better commander or extra unit?

[Commodore]

my choice would be competent commander and 4 bowmen. You can engage a competent commander in melee, a brillant it is too expensive (3 demo) and a competent commander with an all infantry corps is sufficient.
The other question is, do you need a brillant commander to boost your initiative or not?
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"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead"
Cdr Farragut,Mobile 1864

[Hazelbark]

You need Light Infantry in that command

Problem also is a group move is only 6 wide.

So you have two groups either way. You need to make sure the Bow don't get mashed as there will be many dangerous things (hopefully) near your pike.

[daveallen]

I think the Archers must be LI as I don't see any Bowmen in the list.

I'm not sure why you need even a Competent commander for a block of 5 Pk and LI screen.

Dave
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Putting the ink into incompetence

[belinconnux]

I agree. Juste for command an ordinary general is enough.
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Hasta la victoria Siempre!
Peter Lord dobeul impact

[Dickstick]

He who rallies hits in melee quickest lasts longest
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Player 747 don't call me Jumbo

[AntiokosIII]

It's true that the main function of the commander of pikes is rallying, not movement. My math is not up to analysis of the number of extra rallie a turn that a competent can manage over what an ordinary can do, but it's not a high number, way less than an average of one. I'd rather buy and Ordinary and put the points elsewhere.
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Tabletop miniatures are the only completely honorable form of warfare ever invented.

[Hazelbark]

I too have gone to Ordinary generals in this situation. My view on Ordinary generals includes being more willing to commit to combat. In those situations there have been times I wish I had a +1 to try and turn a unit or such...until the general dies of course.

[Janos Hunyadi]

Would not the better general aid the complex moves for Pikes ?, or is turning pikes through 90 degrees a bit no no.

Are they deployed face forwards come what may.

[Hazelbark]

Yes a better general gives you a more likely option to turn a pike onto a flank when the general is not present.

3 points from army if you have the Command points to spare
1 more point lost if the general dies. So you are a bit more reluctant to commit to combat.