DBAWI Design Notes: Basing and Order

I still need to post the rules, but I thought I would put the bits and pieces out there so I could comment on each section.

In the AAR I refer to Closed Order, Open Order, and Skirmish Order. Because those terms so many different things to different people (many contend that true "skirmish order" did not exist in the AWI), I have decide to use Close Order (CO), Loose Order (LO), and Open Order (OO).

Here are the basing recommendations:

Unit Type	Order	Base Depth	Figures
Line Infantry	CO	20mm	4
Line Infantry	LO	20mm	3
Light Infantry	CO	20mm	4
Light Infantry	LO	30mm	3
Light Infantry	OO	30mm	2
German Rifles	OO	30mm	2
American Rifles	OO	30mm	2
Indians	OO	30mm	2
Cavalry	LO	30mm	3
Cavalry	OO	30mm	2
Artillery	Light	40mm	2
Artillery	Medium	40mm	3
Artillery	Heavy	40mm	4
Commander	N/A	40mm	1-3

Close Order (CO): This represents the early war formations of standing shoulder-to-shoulder, usually three ranks deep. The Hessians infantry (save a few specialty units) will fight in this order throughout the war. The unit gets a benefit in standing off cavalry and morale, but suffers in movement speed and musket range. The lower movement range is justified by the need to dress the line more frequently and so on. A discussion of musket ranges will follow.

Loose Order (LO): This order represents fighting in two ranks with a full arm's distance between each file. The Patriots and British fought mostly in this order. It is what is referred to in the phrase "loose files and American scramble". This order gives the infantry a better movement rate, less penalty from terrain and a slightly longer musket range.

Open Order (OO): Finally we have the AWI equivalent of skirmish order, which are the files spread much farther out. This order gives the best movement rate, no real penalty on terrain, and the best range with a musket.

UPDATE: All references to "Patriot Rifle" are now "American Rifle" to reflect that Loyalist militia can also be armed with the same rifle.