No Magic Fantasy Tactics

[Arc]

These tactics are for use in fantasy settings that either have no magic or for groups that have no access to magic.

[Arc]

This dangerous tactic is used by generals with more than mere confidence in their archers. The accuracy of such a strike requires an elite vanguard of archers capable of firing at extreme ranges.

The tactic itself is simple in inception. The archers fire from behind the lines of melee combatants and aim for just in front of the contact line where the two forces meet. Perfect timing leads to a decimation as the arrows fall on unsuspecting charging troops who become easy prey for the front line combatants. this tactic allows rapid progression into the ranks of enemy troops, as well as a slight benefit to maneuvering, due to the line's unchecked momentum.

[Arc]

This rather obvious tactic is the product of centuries of perfection. The front line locks shields together, forming a mobile wall that the second line can attack through with polearms. This tactic is often supplemented with a second front line of sheildbearers to fill in gaps immediately.

[gamemagi]

Fantasy Tactics generally rely on: Morale, Terrain, Enemy Weapons and the size of the enemies forces.

Common Fantasy Tactics

Phalanx: The Phalanx was used mostly by the Macedonians. It consided of severaly ranks of spearmen (phalangites), which were equiped with a Sarissa (9ft. Spear). The first five ranks of men would have their spears leveled towards the enemy creating a wall of men and spears. The enemy had to fight its way through five 'ranks' of spears to get at the front line. Eventaully this Tactic became outdated when it proved to be to inflexiable (moving five ranks of spears to protect the flank took to much time and often ended with a dead phalangite unit). Phalanxes were usually used to push/form enemies into certain positions so that a cavalary charge could easily decimate their forces, as was popularly used by Alexander.

Tetsudo (Tortise) Formation: This was used by the Romans to protect themselves against enemy arrows. The fronk rank would hold their shields in front of them and the second rank would rest their shield on their heads as would the remaining ranks. This was extremely effect against early missile fire, but was very slow. This tactic proved insufficent against the Middle-Eastern Armies as their composite bows were powerful enough to puncture their scutum(shield) and pin their hands to their shields.

Maniple Formation: This was the standard Roman formation, which consisted of 3 ranks. The first rank was formed of young soldiers, which were armed with a pilum(javelin), gladius(short sword) and scutum(shield). The second rank, which was formed by men in their prime (20-25). The third rank consisted of veterans and were placed in the back so as to stop the more inexperienced troops from breaking ranks and routing. The Maniple would commonly throw their javelins prior to close quarter engagement to soften enemies.

When a foe was more numerous, tech. advanced or less educated scare tactics worked well.

Woad or 'battlepaint' was often used by English sword berserkers (remember Braveheart?) to make them appeared discolored. Combined with their fanatical beserking it caused enemies morale to lower/cause fear. (Note: Woad is a type of plant, which is often used as a dye in place of Indigo, which was far more expensive and comes from foreign lands.)

Severed Head w/quicklime: This was another British tactic, which designated people had severed heads of their enemies and threw them into their ranks (or with seige weapons later on), which caused morale breakdown and fear.

Sacred Bands (of Thebes and Carthage): These units, which were used by Hannibal (Carthage) and Greeks (Thebes) were a band of pederastic-lovers. These units, do to their strong bond, had extremely high morale and moved very well in formation.

Well thats all for now.