Philadelphia Regional Practice - A Few Thoughts on Small Tactics Melees

We had a great practice with 17 fighters showing up, plus some youth fighters.  We did several rounds of singles, and then did a few rounds of melees.


5 on 5

The melees were 5 on 5 in a relatively confined space.  One side had 2 shields and 3 polearms while the other side had 4 shields and 1 polearm.  We decided not to use spears because of the tight space.  We also didn't balance the sides because we wanted to see how the tactics would pan out.

The biggest difference between the two sides, tactically, was that the side that was pole heavy went with a traditional shield wall, while the side that was shield heavy set up one rank deep, and spread wider.  This is actually kind of unusual because normally you'd want the tactics to be reversed with this set up.

The other piece that was interesting was that the side with only two shields always initiated the charge.  It was actually relatively successful at first because they were able to penetrate and get into our backfield, and with the small space they were able to pin us against the walls.  Having said that, I am generally a fan of the idea of letting the range weapons work when you have a range advantage.


Leading with the Range Weapon

I am a big fan of this tactic, and we employed it on the very last 5 on 5 engagement.  This accomplishes two things.  First, it allows the range weapon to get at least one free shot on its opponent before engagement, but it also baits in the charge.  In other words, the charge has to start out away from the shield wall far enough that it gives you time to read where the point of impact will be and to make adjustments.

This last engagement was our most successful one, allowing us to ultimately surround and kill the other side.  I believe we were left with 3-4 alive after the engagement.

The counter tactic that was discussed was for red to present 3 poles forward to counter the one green pole (me).  We then said that in this game of rock, paper, scissors, green would have to respond with a charge.

In my opinion, whenever playing these tactical games, you have to set up the best tactic given your circumstances, and then be aware of what the obvious counter is for that tactics and be prepared for it.

Anglesey (the mercenary group that I'm the warlord of) and the Bog Troopers (our alliance with Galatia and The Concusare) would typically have spread wide with the shields protecting the flanks if we were the red team.  The obvious counter to that would be for green to charge.  Red would then have to pinch hard on the flanks, and the poles would have to give in the middle.

Ultimately the tactic that is the best is the one that the players on the field can pull off successfully.  There is never a single tactic that beats all other tactics.  The reason why green was effective in the above scenario was largely due to the level of fighters present on green's team, and the ability to follow through on the plan.


3 on 3

We did several 3 on 3s at the end of the night.  Again, I lead with the pole out in front on our team.

I think this is a great example of employing tactics that work to the strengths of the members on your team.  I have a good range game/thrust and am mobile, so I work well in the front.  Red really only has two choices.  Their pole (Colin) can come out and meet me, and make this a static fight, or he can stay in the back.  If he's in the back, then red has to charge.  Because I'm more experienced with the pole at range, the odds are not in favor for Colin to meet me out front.  Also, the red team had Sterling, who was the best shieldman of the 6 of us, so it was to red's advantage to charge and engage in close range.

If I remember correctly, the results were fairly even in these fights.  With regard to the green team fighting with the pole out in front, in ~25-30% of the engagements, I scored a kill before red was able to charge.


Charging through the Spears

Sir Thorson showed us a tactic to charging through your own spear line.  Too often when charges get organized, the play is given away to the opposition by making it painfully obvious that the charge is coming.  I can't remember the last time I was ever killed in a charge as I generally knew it was coming 10 seconds before it happens.

In this tactic, the shields stay in the second rank and find the gaps between the spears.  As the press through, they lead with their shield sideways, and stick the inside of the shield right in the face of the spear in front, and to the right of them.  As a shieldman in these drills, it was instantly clear to me that the guy behind me was coming through the line as soon as I saw that shield.

The charge finishes up with the poles following the shields to fill the second rank, and then the spears fill in the third rank.

What we didn't discuss was how the charge is supposed to end.  Push until you die?  Retreat and let spears come to the front? At what point?  Etc.

More to discuss on this later.


Hope you enjoyed reading!