Infantry Builds: What is the ideal mix of brigade types?

[KillCalvalry]

There are alot of options for both sides on building Brigades. What are the best choices?

Money, Conscripts, etc, are all limited, so it's important to focus builds only on units that you need, or more specifically units that contain the elements you need.

For example, alot of brigade choices include Cav or 6lb art. Are those worth it? Every Corps or division should have at least 1 Cav Element (If I understand the rules correctly), but isn't have more than 1 a waste of resources? The Cav contributes to combat, but it basically becomes expensive infantry at that point. Is that right?

And the 6lb-ers.......some artillery is nice, but I wonder if 12lb or 10lb are better bang for your buck (literally). Both use the same # of conscripts, if that is the limiting factor.

Sharpshooters are another one.......seems like a good idea, worth the extra expense?

It seems like the best idea is to use a few brigades with CAV and 6lb, but mostly 2-Inf Regt. brigades, with some Sharpshooters thrown-in, and fill the rest out with individual Artillery units which allow for more flexibility.

Anyway, alot of questions here, but wondering what the right mix of brigade types is.

[Mickey3D]

You are opening a dangerous discussion here There was long analysis and arguments on the best mix of units in AACW1.

The "standard" division is made of 10 or 11 infantry elements, 1 Sharpshooter, 1 or 2 cavalry elements, 4 or 5 artillery. So you should buy brigades to be able to build such a kind of division (or any mix you will find more appropriate).

Sharpshooter is a must have : it will give to the whole division a bonus to initiative.

I prefer 12lb or 10lb canon to 6lb but you don't always have the choice.

[enf91]

In ACW1, 6lb would upgrade to 12lb. Is that still the case?

[Ol' Choctaw]

yes

[Ace]

Only for dedicated artillery units cannons. 6lbs inside inf brigades do not upgrade

[RebelYell]

Only for dedicated artillery units cannons. 6lbs inside inf brigades do not upgrade

Good to know.

People new to the units in the game, you need to get an organisation that is easy to learn and work with.

I only know the CSA, Union has more toys so some Yankee can comment on what to do with those.

Brigade

I take the historical average and consider 4 infantry regiments (elements) as an infantry brigade.
But to me that is only on paper, they always need supporting units to maximize their combat power.

So an independent brigade for me is.

4 infantry regiments, 1 sharpshooter (ss) battalion, 1 cavalry regiment and 1 artillery battery + 1 supply unit.


Possible build in the game.

1 ss - 2 inf brigade, 2 inf - 1 cav brigade, 1 art battery

Notice that some of the big brigades in the game are bigger than this but early in the game they are expensive to get.
You also need a general to form this brigade but he will give his added punch in combat, also use the generals that have the minimum of 4 as strategic rating if possible, he needs to be active most of time.

This is a formation that can be reinforced and used as a vanguard, rearguard, screener etc. for a bigger force or some theater that does not need or support bigger formations.
You can also drop the artillery and supply train to move faster if need be so there is more flexibility.

Note that you get many brigades in the game start that you can combine to get this or close to this makeup.


Next i will post the division.

[RebelYell]

A division is basically three infantry brigades, 12 infantry regiments (elements) with supporting units that are available.

You can aim for something even if you cant always get to it, especially true as the CSA.

What i try to get in a division.

Division

12 infantry regiments, 1 sharpshooter battalion, 4 artillery batteries + 1 supply unit.

Possible build in the game.

4 inf - 1 art brigade, 2 inf - 1 art brigade, 2 inf - 1 ss brigade, 2 inf brigade, 2 inf brigade, 1 art battery, 1 art battery


That makes 17 elements, one short of the maximum of 18, that slot can be used to give the division cavalry if it is operating independently so some flexibility here also.

One thing that you cant influence is the arrival of the elite brigades via event, those should always go in to your divisions.
That will result in some reshuffling but that is fun and they will free a cadre of troops to build new divisions around.

The artillery i use in the divisional level are usually 6lb or 12lb smoothbore guns if the Division is operating within a Corp, that i will post later.

[Pocus]

Cavalry Usage:

a) a big force (i.e CP usage more than one provided by a 3 star) gets a 1 penalty to hide value, except if you have at least 4 cavalries.

b) each cavalry reduces slightly the losses you take when routing or retreating

c) cavalry has a big patrol and big evasion value, meaning it fixes the enemy better or allows your stack to retreat more easily when there is an enemy/fort in the same region.

[RebelYell]

Cavalry Usage:

a) a big force (i.e CP usage more than one provided by a 3 star) gets a 1 penalty to hide value, except if you have at least 4 cavalries.

b) each cavalry reduces slightly the losses you take when routing or retreating

c) cavalry has a big patrol and big evasion value, meaning it fixes the enemy better or allows your stack to retreat more easily when there is an enemy/fort in the same region.

How much and is there an upper limit?

Possible to make it so that having cavalry in the same army is enough? Would be good use of the Army stack to put them there.

[oberst_klink]

I am sure you want to have pure cavalry divisions as well for some jolly good deep reece and raids, aye? I try to buy 1-2 Bde with 1 x Cav and 1 x 6lb Art element in them; The rest the cheaper Inf Bde to make my Div later on.

Klink, Oberst

[RebelYell]

I am sure you want to have pure cavalry divisions as well for some jolly good deep reece and raids, aye? I try to buy 1-2 Bde with 1 x Cav and 1 x 6lb Art element in them; The rest the cheaper Inf Bde to make my Div later on.

Klink, Oberst

I use very small cavalry brigades and divisions, the mounted volunteers are a great addition in the West.
Mounted volunteers + cavalry + horse artillery + Forrest = Southern rock.

I always rest and refit the cavalry in a place where they are trained more by an leader or HQ, they should be nurtured for destruction.

[Canon]

That makes 17 elements, one short of the maximum of 18, that slot can be used to give the division cavalry if it is operating independently so some flexibility here also.

Just remember that the maximum amount of elements in a division is actually 17, as you must leave room for your leader.

As a general rule, I try to get 9+ Infantry, 1 SS, 4 Art and fill in the rest with whatever (except artillery as 4 is the max)


Is their any point in forming a 4 element Artillery division with someone like Alexander Porter? Or is it merely the same as if they fought loose in the Corps as reserve?

[RebelYell]

Just remember that the maximum amount of elements in a division is actually 17, as you must leave room for your leader.

As a general rule, I try to get 9+ Infantry, 1 SS, 4 Art and fill in the rest with whatever (except artillery as 4 is the max)


Is their any point in forming a 4 element Artillery division with someone like Alexander Porter? Or is it merely the same as if they fought loose in the Corps as reserve?

True, I dont know what I was thinking.

I always do the same builds and dont really need to think about the process too much, it seems I forgot the 3 element volunteer brigades, those I use one a division.

Could that put the artillery brigade in the harms way, more likely to be targeted by the enemy artillery?

[oberst_klink]

I use very small cavalry brigades and divisions, the mounted volunteers are a great addition in the West.
Mounted volunteers + cavalry + horse artillery + Forrest = Southern rock.

I always rest and refit the cavalry in a place where they are trained more by an leader or HQ, they should be nurtured for destruction.

I see you are an advocate of N.B.F. Oh well, as for me I create Jayhawkers and NM/CO Mounted Vols. soon to cause havoc in the IT, NM, AZ and deep down in TX The East for me is merely a sideshow. Unfortunately I have to wait for ages... to get Cav. leaders such as Minty, Wilder and Buford. Is Wheeler actually already on the board in 1861?

Klink, Oberst

[RebelYell]

I see you are an advocate of N.B.F. Oh well, as for me I create Jayhawkers and NM/CO Mounted Vols. soon to cause havoc in the IT, NM, AZ and deep down in TX The East for me is merely a sideshow. Unfortunately I have to wait for ages... to get Cav. leaders such as Minty, Wilder and Buford. Is Wheeler actually already on the board in 1861?

Klink, Oberst

That Redleg scum should be wiped out, burn Kansas and everyone in it.

I think Wheeler has the wrong date also but maybe someone will comment on that.

[Canon]

I wish I would play my Cavalry leaders as Cavalry, but since I rarely create pure Cav divisions, they end up serving me as my Infantry Commanders. Forrest, Stuart, and the others are just too good to not play the main role of winning the big battles.

[RebelYell]

I wish I would play my Cavalry leaders as Cavalry, but since I rarely create pure Cav divisions, they end up serving me as my Infantry Commanders. Forrest, Stuart, and the others are just too good to not play the main role of winning the big battles.

Well both where up to that in reality, so that is totally OK.
If Forrest gets to two stars he will get an infantry corps from me also, Stuart usually not for some reason.