Tough infantry with Javelins

Dear all,

I am canvassing for opinion.

Having raised the issue of using Javelins with Samnites, and understanding that the current feeling is FL Infantry with VBU 4 do have the right to throw javelins at people, but those with VBU 5 and above do not, I am proposing another option:

Allow all javelin armed infantry to still be eligible to throw their main weapon, but cap the 'missile' VBU in such instances at 4.

As an example, 5/1 Spaniards are counted as having a VBU of 4 when they throw the javelin.

Do people think that this could work?

Kind regards

Personally I like the idea of units having separate melee and missile VBUs. I would probably extend it to other units such as some of the High VBU mounted missile units too. Maybe apply it accross the board.

But I think Lorenzo said somewhere that he particularly did not want to go down this route.

Sorry, I don´t like another value for the unit´s roster. Keep it simple.

It sounds a litte bit like you want to boost a specific unit instead of thinking about a specific army composition.

What is so special about that Samnite FL that you love them to be hard hitting in melee and with Javelins?

This seems like something that could add another layer of complication to a rules system that seems relatively elegant at the moment.  Folks would need to learn, know, etc., two different VBUs for various units.  This increases time and energy spent on acquiring rules info, and that could take away from the game system a bit.  I realize that there are some folks who play things like Impetus competively for what the competition provides them. Meanwhile there are others who just play the game, in a competitive environment and not, to have fun, get in a bunch of quick and easy games that do what Impetus does as a rules system, and enjoy the socializing that occurs with it.  Start adding complexity like this idea to the system, and it could be less attractive for some.

HI all, thanks for your comments. It seems that this topic has already been discussed and I am behind the times. I can see sense if simplicity.

In answer to Tankred: it probably does come over that I am 'bigging up' Samnites beyond all else. TBH, their current standing makes them very nasty. It was more that I just found it odd that FL with 4 VBU can throw and then those with 5 or more cannot.

This has to do with how Lorenzo imagines VBU4 and VBU5 FL fighting. The VBU5 is more close action infantry. To me this makes sense with how the Samnites fought. No doubt to me that going from javelin to heavy javelin is demotion in a sense although the upgrade from VBU4 to 5 at 4 points is a good deal. The army seems like it would be tough and fast.