By Fire and Sword – Faction Overview Part 1

Welcome again to my series on By Fire and Sword. Today’s post is going to be an overview of the various factions of the game and broadly their strengths and weaknesses. All armies in this post are featured in the Republic in Flames document which is downloadable from Wargamer.pl’s website. Remember that at the Skirmish Level all lists can be found in the online Army Creator. Keep in mind that I am yet to play every single faction for the game and so this should not be taken as tactical gospel. It’s more intended to give you an idea of how each faction plays to help you decide what you would like to play in the game.

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (PLC)

The famous Winged Hussars.

Pros

-          Lots of cavalry

-          Some of the best cavalry in the game including the winged hussars

-          Flexible with the ability to take light cavalry and pike and shot regiments in the same army

-          The largest roster of any faction with multiple allied options

Cons

-          Multiple potentially crippling special rules at division level representing the financial problems of the state during the period

-          That elite cavalry can be expensive. Hussars are 1fsp per base, when 1fsp often gets 2-3 bases of other cavalry.

-          Western style troops aren’t quite as good as their Swedish/Imperial equivalents

-          Little artillery available compared to some factions (Lithuanians in particular).

The PLC is the star of the show in By Fire and Sword, with the game really being about the troubles of the Commonwealth in the period and the game itself being written by Poles. As a result, the PLC is the most fleshed out faction, with different skirmish forces and division for different times over the period. It also has some of the best unit variety in the game. Light cavalry regiments feature Tatar and Wallachian light cavalry and can be fielded side by side with elite, heavy cavalry regiments and western-style pike and shot infantry regiments. This variety and depth is perhaps the most compelling reason to play the Commonwealth – you’ll never be short of new varieties of troops to paint and you are never going to get bored exploring the various options the army has in the game. The PLC also features the most powerful unit in the game – the infamous Winged Hussars. Pancerni and Pethorcy also feature as some of the best cavalry in the game. Polish cavalry often has the elite cavalry special rule, letting it move freely like light cavalry without the combat penalties light cavalry typically suffers.

Overall the PLC is a faction that suits beginners as well as veterans. Beginners will find the flexibility of elite and light cavalry easy to wrap their heads around and will not have to be concerned by the precision required in wheeling and facing unwieldy blocks of cavalry. Yet due to the elite cavalry rule, they still retain frontal hitting power.

Kingdom of Sweden

Pros

-          Strong, well disciplined infantry formations

-          Plentiful artillery

-          Plentiful reiters are perhaps the most dependable cavalry in the game

-          Another well fleshed out faction with numerous lists

-          Plentiful Command Points

-          Quality units make the Swedes beginner friendly

Cons

-          Not a lot of unit variety

-          Often lacking numbers compared to their opponents

The Swedes were the biggest menace to the PLC during the period, almost completely occupying the country during The Deluge. Sweden lacks unit variety, consisting of reiters, dragoons and pike and shot infantry with only a couple of exceptions. While there is variety within these types (armoured vs unarmoured reiters or mercenary vs national infantry for example), the actual difference in play style is small. Swedish players will find themselves using mass reiters supported by pike and shot regiments and plentiful light artillery. Dragoons fulfil an interesting role being mounted infantry and Swedish dragoons are possibly the best in the game. Swedish commanders usually have plenty of command points, giving the player the ability to execute his plans with relative ease.

Swedish players will find their play style dependent on what way they compose their army. Infantry heavy forces will mostly find themselves on the defensive with their pike and shot regiments using the countermarch to advance steadily will laying down fire. Players who lean more towards reiters will have offensive regiments that lack the flexibility of light cavalry but are utterly dependable in combat. Armoured veteran reiters are dead reliable and perhaps the standard by which all other cavalry should be rated. Don’t let the lack of unit variety mask the array of tactical options available to the Swedish commander.

Crimean Khanate

Pros

-          Flexible! Almost every unit is light cavalry

-          Masters of the feint. Feigned Flight will see Tatar units breaking off from charges to isolate and destroy their enemies

-          A high skill level that makes good tacticians exceptionally dangerous

-          Lack unit variety

Cons

-          Light cavalry suffers in a straight up fight – failure to feint and flank will be punished severely

-          Tatar morale is shaky when faced by gunpowder

-          Difficult to learn due to the high skill requirements

-          Bows struggle against armoured opponents

The Crimean Tatars are one of the more interesting factions in the game. They are the successors of the Golden Horde and are primarily a faction of horse archers. Tatars matched up against Western pike and shot battalions are one of the most intriguing battles to play in the period. Like the Swedes, the Tatars lack unit variety. Unlike the Swedes however, the Tatars almost completely lack infantry. Their sole infantry unit, the Kapikullu, are only available at the Task Force and Division levels and even then only in limited numbers. Tatar players then will find their forces composed primarily of Tatar Warriors and the Kazindji, or Tatar Rabble.

The tactics of the Khanate revolve around their horsemen peppering their opponents with arrows before fading away and flanking. Their light cavalry are best used to entrap and flank enemy units. The Khanate’s Their Sight is Better and More Penetrating… special rule allows them to operate independently of their commanders, meaning Tatar players can use multiple, smaller units without the command issues that would plague other factions.

Tatars struggle in a straight up fight however, and if unable to flank their opponents will find it difficult to best even average cavalry. Their morale is highly susceptible to gunpowder wielding opponents and cracking a wall of infantry is a near impossible task without the application of skill. The Khanate then is not a good faction for beginners but will heavily reward those who invest the time to learn how to play them well.

Ottoman Empire

Pros

Ottoman Sipahi. Allah Allah!

-          Huge variety of both infantry and cavalry

-          Big armies! Ottomans are one of the games two “horde” factions

-          Despite carrying the horde tag, the Ottomans can still field elite units

-          A unique play style, combining light cavalry, masses of infantry and masses of banner wielding Sipahi

Cons

-          That variety can make it difficult to learn the ins and outs of the army

-          Ottoman infantry is typically poor and will need support

-          You’re gonna need a lot of guys…

-          Average command points combined with high numbers can make the army difficult to control

The Ottoman Empire is near the peak of its power during this period and wages war against many of the factions, not just the PLC. The Ottoman is THE army for avid painters and are a swirling mass of colour and banners. Without a doubt, a well painted Ottoman army is the most impressive force on the table. Ottoman units can often fight in either open or closed order providing even more variety to the look of the army.

The Ottomans are the second largest force on the table after Muscovy in the game. Masses of poor but cheap infantry lend the Ottomans an advantage in numbers but can be difficult to coordinate. Ottoman commanders typically only have two or three command points so Ottoman players may find it difficult to give orders to their numerous units during a game.

Ottoman cavalry is a mix. Gonullu and Besli offer light cavalry options while the Sipahi are more suited to a straight up fight. Sipahi suffer from poor tactical discipline, providing a punishing penalty in combat but often carry lances and are available in large numbers to make up for it. The Infamous Janissaries suffer from poor morale but can boost this through the deployment of a mehter, or military band. Overall the Ottomans are a flavour rich, fun faction to play with and against and are an absolute spectacle on the table.

The Cossacks

Pros

-          Large amounts of good quality infantry, supplemented by hordes of rabble

-          The wagon train!

-          High quality skirmishing infantry

-          Infantry often have rifled barrels, giving them extraordinary range.

Cons

-          Extremely lacking in cavalry

-          Difficult to attack with due to low speed

-          Wagon train rules are fairly complicated

The Cossacks are one of the most interesting factions in the game. They are an infantry focused force that fights behind linked wagons laden with guns and even small artillery! The wagon train looks incredible on the table and because of this the Cossack Hetmantate fights completely differently to any other faction. Success on the table will be reliant on effectively using the wagon train and integrating it with infantry. Cossack infantry is the focus of the army. Moloitsy and Register Moloitsy are of good quality through their firearms lack the effectiveness of proper muskets. Cossack Rabble are best described as poor at best, but available in large numbers to help support the Moloitsy.

Where the Cossacks can come unstuck. Their sole cavalry unit are dragoons meaning they fight poorly when mounted. This means the Cossacks are at a disadvantage during both reconnaissance and during the game. The Cossacks lack of cavalry can leave them reacting to a cavalry heavy force and in high risk of being outmanoeuvred. The Cossacks then are a faction best suited for experienced players or those willing to put the effort into learning the game and rules.

Muscovy

Pros

-          Numbers! Muscovy has the most troops in the game

-          Big variety of units and regiments

-          Streltsy and Soldats are highly reliable defensive infantry

Cons

-          Severely lacking command points

-          Units are often poor quality

-          Ineffective artillery for some forces

Muscovy, or the Tsardom of Russia are the eastern giant of the game. This period is a time of expansion for Russia and the Muscovites are in frequent conflict over the Poles for control of modern day Belarus and Ukraine. Muscovy has a huge amount of troops, to the point where if you bring enough soldiers, you get even more for free (ie 0fsp)! Sadly, these troops are often poor quality. Boyar Sons are the core of Muscovy’s cavalry but suffer from poor tactical discipline and armour 3. Border Dragoons are poorly armed and skilled and are low in morale (and despite their name have no horses!). Muscovite players however will find their biggest problem in command and control. Not only do they have masses of units to manage, Muscovite commanders are usually poor with low command points (usually 2, sometimes 3). If you play Muscovy, you WILL face hard decisions between giving orders or rallying your troops.

Despite these difficulties, one of the Muscovite strengths is their huge unit variety. Though the poor quality units occupy the mind, Muscovy also has a number of good quality formations. Muscovite Reiters while not as highly skilled as their Swedish or Imperial counterparts come with armour and arquebuses as standard. Field Dragoons are the only dragoon unit in the game to have the pike and shot formation, allowing the Muscovite player to rush a defensive unit up the table or onto an objective. Soldats and Streltsy have berdishes (optional on the Soldats) and re-rolls to their morale when on defensive orders making them some of the game’s best defensive units.

Muscovy’s command scarcity is their greatest weakness. New players may be better suited to a high command faction however the Muscovites aren’t as difficult to wrap the head around as the Ottomans, Cossacks or Tatars and are overall an interesting faction to play.

Well that wraps up part 1! Part 2 will move onto the factions featured in The Deluge and other supplements. If you’re a current player feel free to comment on what faction you play and any tips you have for new players. Detailed tactics articles will be coming soon! Hope you enjoyed the read.