Sword & Spear

Wargames Rules for Ancient & Medieval Battles

Using the Army Lists
The Sword & Spear army lists can be used to create The following general rules apply when there are
typical armies for use in pick-up type games. They options for a troop type:
should be treated as guidelines, and you should also  Where the discipline rating differs, a
use your own knowledge and research to guide you as combination of different types may be used in
to what troops should be available for each army in a the army.
given place and time. For example, if you are building  For medium and heavy foot, if anything varies
an army to represent Hannibal’s campaign in Italy, other than the discipline rating, only one type
there will be different troop types available may be used in the army.
compared to Carthaginian armies in Spain or Africa.  For all other troop types, a combination of
different types may be used in the army.
Using the army lists The restriction on medium and heavy foot is because
At the top of each army list is the name of the army variations here are normally due to alternative
and approximate dates (in centuries) for which the opinions as to how the troop type was equipped or
army existed (or for which the particular list applies, operated, so one interpretation should be chosen.
if there are more than list for an army over different At the bottom of the army list are any notes relating
time periods). to extra restrictions on particular troop types (for
The main part of the army list specifies the troop example exceptions to the general rule above, or
types that are available to the army. These are split restrictions by date).
into two sections: Core Troops and Support Troops.
Core troops are the main troops making up the army. Allied Troops
At least half of the units in the army (rounding up) Allied troops may be included in an army. These
must come from the core troops section. should normally be from a nation that were
Support troops are the less common troops that were historically used as allies. However, if your opponent
not always present. No more than two of each type of agrees, troops from any nation that might plausibly
unit from this section may be present in the army. have been used as allies may be used.
Some particular troops were less common. These are An allied commander is required if any allied troops
designated as restricted. If a Core troop type is are present. The points cost of an allied commander
restricted, then no more than two of this type of unit is 10 point less than the normal points cost for that
may be present in the army. If a Support troop type is type of commander. An allied commander may only
restricted, then no more than one of this type of unit command allied troops, and the other commanders
may be present in the army. may not command allied troops.
Normally allied troops use the same coloured action
Some troop types have different options. This may be dice as the rest of the army. However, in a
different discipline levels, indicating differing multiplayer game it might be the case that one player
qualities of troops. Or it may be different controls the allied troops.
characteristics, which might represent different types Allied troops may only be selected from the Core
of troop coming under the same general heading, or it Troops part of the army list. If any of the core troops
might represent alternative opinions as to how the are restricted, then only one unit of these may be
troop type was equipped or operated. used.
Apart from the fact that they may only be influenced
by allied commanders, allied troops operate in all
respects like any other unit in the army.

© Mark Lewis 2014

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 Calculating Points Values

Relatively balanced games can be had by building

armies to a set total points value. Missile Weapons Points
The points value for each Unit and Commander should Foot Mounted
be calculated and totaled. This must not exceed the Bow 1 2/1**
points total which has been chosen for the game. Longbow 2 -
Crossbow 1 2/1**
Units Sling 0 -
The following formula is used to calculate the points Javelins 0/1* 1
of each unit. Firearm 0/1* 1
Artillery 3 -
Add together the points for each of the following :
 Troop type (and size) *0 pts for LF, 1 point for MF
 Protection level
 Missile weapon ** 1 point for mounted with mixed missile weapons.
 Melee weapon
The points cost for foot with mixed missile weapons
 Other characteristics
is the same as the normal cost for that missile
weapon.
This is then multiplied by a factor according to the
Discipline of the Unit.
This gives the total points cost for the Unit. Melee Weapons Points
Pikes 3
Troop type Points Spears 1
Heavy foot 7 Two Handed Weapons 1
Heavy foot – large unit 10 Impact 2
Medium foot 5 Thrown Weapons 1
Medium foot – large unit 7
Light Foot 3 Other Characteristics Points
Cavalry 7 Steadfast 1
Camels 7 Undrilled* -1
Light Horse 5
Chariots 6 *Large units or skirmishers cannot be undrilled
Scythed Chariots 4
Discipline Multiplier
Elephants 9
3 x5
War Wagons 3
4 X4
Artillery 6
5 X3
Baggage Camp 0
Commanders
Pretection level Points
Each Commander costs a set number of points, as
Heavily Armoured 2
follows :
Armoured* 2 (1)
Average protection 0 Commanders
Lacking Protection -1
Type Points
Pavises 0 General 50
Shieldwall** 1 Captain 30
* Elephants pay no extra points for being Armoured.
** Shieldwall may only be taken by Heavy foot. Stratagems
The points costs in brackets applies to skirmishers. Each Stratagem costs 10 points, except for Stakes
which costs 5 points per unit of medium foot
longbowmen in the army.