To Half or Half Not

When using miniatures players will be required to move their units that are mounted on stands. You can be very creative in not only mounting the figures and by taking a unique system like Classical Hack players can get the most out of their miniature forces. For example, say you are deploying in a pick-up game where each player can determine his own deployment outside the scenario method of play where unit placement is pretty much already charted. In our illustration we will how you some different ideas on getting around. Here we will begin with a unit of 12 close infantry in close order column. This is typical of Romans to a large degree and we illustrate our example with Old Glory figures.

Experienced players will notice that something looks wrong here. The figures are only two per stand instead of the normal four. This is no mistake, this is Classical Hack! In our system stands can be half stands for close order. This is done to show a more realistic formation and permit real tactics. Using half stands of two figures might seem odd, but it is historical and it does work. Proper basing can give a greater sense of historical accuracy to miniature gameing and Classical Hack does this better than any other system.

The Romans would deploy for combat by utilizing their remarkable ability to move and fight by both file and rank. A file is group of men one beind the other. Greeks fought by files placed one beside the other. They would close their files by bringing men from the back of the file to the front. Each man in the file was alotted about 6 feet of room. The rear men would fill this space reducing it to 3 feet by moving up and with the half file. This brought them from loose order to close order. Technically our men should have been in loose order to start. But then no one is perfect and not even one has all the figures in the world to do this. So, in our system, it is ok to have the men start in close order and then file into the correct formation which is close order.

Romans were unique in that they fought by both file and rank as stated above. Here, in three smart evolutions they go from column to line. By the way, if they had been attacked on the flank while in column they could have simply left or right faced and they would be facing the enemy in close formation line with a simple facing. Anyone else do this? We dont think so.

Here we have a unit of 12 figures in column. Note that the normal 4 figures per stand has been changed. I like to show details of tactical moves so I often have units mounted on half bases for close formation units.

After all, this whole page is devoted to basing and we must examine even the oddest off basing concepts. Well, while it may seem odd, in fact it is closer to the historical truth about well disciplined and drilled units of the ancient periods. We will take this unit from column, as shown here, to line in stages. To do this we bring the rear figures to the front.

I have never found it more difficult on the board using half stands. Just remember it is an evolution and only so many figures can be moved at one time.