Note that by their very nature these rules are somewhat experimental. Since most of them come from other players I cannot vouch for their impact on the game over time. They are OPTIONAL and will only become official CHANGES to the existing rules once I have had a chance to play-test them with my immediate groups. That said, their inclusion here means that I deem them reasonable and welcome further feedback on the ideas.
1. Mounted units firing:
I struggled with this option while writing/play-testing the rules.
Although I decided not to allow it in the basic rules, it is not
unreasonable to allow mounted shooting for certain troop types in
certain campaigns if it better reflects their tactical doctrine.
Nevertheless, the effectiveness of their fire should be limited.
The rule:
Mounted units armed with rifles, and historically capable of significant
firepower while mounted, may fire using all existing fire rules (e.g. no
moving and firing, arcs of fire, etc.) Plus the following rules and
restrictions:
2. Native "Deep" Massed Formation:
"Deep" Massed Formation is not a voluntary formation option. It is used
only in circumstances where a normal Massed Formation finds it
impossible to pass-through a narrow gap between impassable terrain
features. Generally this can be avoided through careful terrain
placement or by accepting abstractions as noted in the rules for
fortress gates. Nevertheless, the deep Massed Formation can be used if
the narrow gap is a continuous feature as opposed to a brief obstruction
like a gate.
Note that this rule should not be used to pass through narrow gaps between units. Although this may sometimes seem frustrating - especially to Native players who perceive their units as malleable mobs - the spatial rules are intended to reflect the obstructiveness of a confused and congested battlefield where friendly units might be inconveniently halted or recoiling from combat.
b. Combat consequences:
- Only the front stand may fire regardless of special rules such as for
Pathans and Boers.
- In melee, the Native column suffers the exact same negative effects as
Imperial columns as noted in the rules.
3. Low percentage rifle armed Native units
In the standard rules, a unit is deemed to either have enough firearms
to justify its status as a rifle unit or it does not and must fight with
melee weapons only despite the presence of some rifles in the unit. I
prefer this approach, but it is not unreasonable to allow some units -
particularly Native units - a limited fire capability if it is
historically supportable.
The rule:
Nominate a certain number of units as "mixed rifle and melee weapon"
units. These units may use small arms fire but do so with half the
number of stands (rounded down) eligible to fire. All other rifle
firing rules apply. For example, a stationary Dervish unit in the
normal Massed formation will normally have two stands eligible to fire.
If it is a "mixed" unit, it may roll only one fire die for these two
eligible firing stands.
4. Imperial Skirmish Order (Infantry or Dismounted Cavalry) Column
Formation
The existing rules for skirmish order appropriately emphasize the
difficulties of controlling units deliberately dispersed in skirmish
order. Consequently, the company skirmish line is the only combat
option allowed. However, players have noted that they want to be able to
move skirmishing units in column, for example, to pass through a narrow
gap between terrain or units. This has been particularly noted for
dismounted cavalry who must adopt skirmish order.
The rule: All Imperial units in skirmish order may adopt column formation. All rules pertaining to changes of formation, skirmishing and columns (e.g. wheeling and additional vulnerability in melee) apply to the unit. Note that Formed Imperial columns may immediately change into a skirmisher column ; mounted columns may dismount into a skirmisher column.
5. Dismounted European/trained colonial Regular Cavalry/Camelry
adopting close-order formations
Regular Imperial cavalry/camelry are usually restricted to skirmish
order when they dismount. This was "typical" of their doctrine.
However, Nigel Casson of Australia correctly points out that several
examples exist of such troops adopting close order formations alongside
their infantry comrades (indeed, the front cover of the rules shows
dismounted camel corps in a tight disposition). The following rule
allows for this option.
The rule: Imperial regular dismounted cavalry/camelry may change from skirmish formation to formed line or column. Use the normal change of formation rules. Once formed, they behave in every way like formed infantry. Note that for a mounted unit to ultimately form a close order formation requires two turns: one turn to dismount into skirmish order; a second turn to form a formed line or column. When remounting from a formed formation the unit may do so in one turn (e.g. they do not need to first go into skirmish order).
Note that volunteer and irregular units serving in Imperial armies may not use formed formations. Mounted infantry may, of course, do so.
6. Imperial Firepower degradation in the North West Frontier (by Nigel Casson)
On the North West Frontier the British faced the well known problem of
Pathan firing having an effect on the firepower of the target Imperial
unit out of all proportion to the actual casualties. For example, the
British were forced to carry their wounded with them as they could not
leave them to the tender mercies of the enemy. This necessity
significantly reduced the number of men in the firing line. The
following optional rule reflects this problem:
The rule:
A -1 modifier on the firing chart is applied for each Kill carried by
Imperial unit from previous turns when fighting in the North West
Frontier and Afghanistan.
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