Chapter 9

Pike and Shot Wargames Rules

UNIT TYPES

This game features the unit types of Infantry, Swordsmen, Reiters, and Cavalry, each of which occupies a frontage of between 4 and 6 inches. Any size or scale of figure may be used; wargamers should decide for themselves how many figures constitute a given unit.

SEQUENCE OF PLAY

Each complete turn comprises two player turns. Each wargamer follows the sequence listed below in his or her player turn:

1. Movement
2. Shooting
3. Hand-to-Hand Combat
4. Eliminating Units

1. MOVEMENT

Movement Allowances. Units may move up to the distances listed below during their turn:

Unit Type	Movement Distance
Infantry	6”
Swordsmen	8”
Reiters	8”
Cavalry	12”

Turning. Units turn by pivoting on their central point. They may do so at the start and/or the end of their move.

Terrain. Units are affected by terrain as follows:

• Woods. Only Swordsmen may enter.
• Towns. Cavalry and Reiters may not end their moves in a town.
• Marshland and Lakes. These are impassable to all units.
• Rivers. These may only be crossed via bridges or fords.
• Roads. Units moving by road increase their movement distance by 3” if their entire move is spent on the road. This bonus may not be received if charging.

Moving and Shooting. Infantry and Reiters may shoot at the end of their move.

Interpenetration. Units may never pass through each other.

Charge Moves. Charges are resolved by moving the attacking unit into contact with its target. They are subject to the following restrictions:

• Ammunition. Infantry and Reiters may only charge if they are out of ammunition.
• Turning. A charging unit may turn once, at the start of its move. This evolution may not exceed 45º.
• Limited Engagement. Only one attacking unit may contact each face of the target (these being Front, Left Flank, Right Flank, and Rear).
• Fighting. Combat is resolved during the Hand-to-Hand Combat phase.

2. SHOOTING

Only Infantry and Reiters may shoot, the procedure for which is as follows:

Adjudge Field of Fire. Units may only shoot at a single target within 45º of their frontal facing.

Measure Range. Infantry and Reiters have a range of 12”.

Assess Casualties. Units roll a die when shooting. The result gives the number of hits the target acquires, which is modified by the following:

• Cover. Units in woods or towns only suffer half the registered number of hits (any fractions are rounded in favour of the unit shooting).

Check Ammunition. Units roll a second die whenever they fire. If this scores a 1 or 2, the unit has run out of ammunition, and may not fire for the remainder of the game.

3. HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT

The procedure for Hand- to-Hand Combat is as follows:

One Sided Combat. Units only inflict casualties during their own player turn.

Assess Casualties. Units roll a die. Infantry and Reiters use the unmodified score; Swordsmen and Cavalry add 2 to the result. The final score gives the number of hits the target acquires, which is modified as follows:

• Cavalry and Reiters. These units only inflict half the number of registered hits if attacking Infantry (rounding any fractions in favour of the attacking unit).
• Swordsmen. These units only inflict half the number of registered hits if attacking Cavalry or Reiters (rounding any fractions in favour of the attacking unit).
• Terrain Advantage. Defenders in woods, towns, on a hill, or defending a river crossing, only suffer half the indicated number of hits (rounding any fractions in favour of the attacker).
• Flank or Rear Attacks. Units engaging the enemy flank or rear inflict double the registered number of casualties.

Movement Within Combat. Hand-to-Hand Combat only concludes with the elimination of one of the contesting sides. Units may however turn to face an attack upon their flank or rear, but only if they are not simultaneously being engaged frontally.

4. ELIMINATING UNITS

Units are eliminated upon the acquisition of 15 hits.