Book 2, List 41
The genesis of this army is pretty simple. I decided I wanted a Chinese army, had a good read through of the Chinese armies in the lists plus reading as much on Chinese history as I could from my local library, decided on Han as being suitable for my style of play and ordered an Essex army pack plus sundry bits and pieces. One paint job later I have a Han army, either Western or Eastern. I have added some of the non-core troops such as Art to the figures I have, mostly still Essex with Irregular artillery models. Of course, I now also find out that the Essex figures are not very historical for Han, or any other Chinese army really!
The army is split into 2 sub-periods splitting the list's duration almost exactly into 2. First the Western Han 202BC to 9AD and then the Eastern Han 25AD to 189AD (there was a short interregnum between them). The choice between the two is pretty straight forward with the Western Han allowed 4 chariot Kn(O) and an upgrade of the generals to the same whilst the Eastern Han can have Hsiung-nu or Hsien-pi allies - both of which are pretty much the same although the former can have LH(S). Otherwise troop classification remains constant throughout the Han period.
The main army is made up mostly of (O) grade troops; Cv(O), LH(O), Sp(O) and Bw(O); support troops are LH(F), Bd (O) or (F), Ps(O) who can support Sp, Art and Hd (I) and (S). Additional to the Chinese troops are up to 16 Dependent State cavalry who are either Cv(O) or LH(F). The Sp and Bw can all be upgraded to Bw(X), but not double based, which may be an interesting option against Steppe type armies who would find these very hard to deal with if they have little or no worthwhile infantry. An alternative to the Bw(X) for the spear and bow is to downgrade them to (I) in an "Any" option. This is now quite viable under v2.x as Reg (I) no longer suffer the horrendous manoeuvre penalties that they used to do. However, this would not be suitable against all opponents. Also the army can have 16 elements of Bts and Shp which raises the possibility of a completely waterborne command of significant size attacking down a WW. It may be worth remembering that neither the mounted troops or the foot are compulsory, although if you use either minima kick in. This allows the Eastern Han the option of an entirely mounted army with 3 Regular generals and a Hsiung-nu allied command with LH(S).
In use this is an army for the patient commander willing to manoeuvre troops into position, as it has no really devastating shock troops who can blow a hole in the enemies line in a frontal attack. Even the Western Han, with Kn(O) chariots, has so few that they are best held back at first and then pointed at a vulnerable point to create the break through that can be exploited. Don't be tempted to give the Southern Tribal Wb(F) a run as 4 - 8 is far too few to make a real difference, especially for (F).
The Sp plus Ps combination is excellent for stopping enemy Kn, and I've found that players seem surprisingly willing to have a go at them; the same applies to Wb. Large numbers of LH(F) provide an excellent screen for delaying the opposition and can then be redeployed where needed whilst the equally large numbers of Cv start to do the real fighting. The LH(O) allow you to have a more substantial delaying force of LH where needed, but they do not have the staying power of LH(S) so don't over-commit them. Use of the slightly cheaper dependent state Cv for a holding wing, whilst using the PIP friendly Reg for the attack wing free's up a few AP for supporting troops and helps stop you over-committing the holding troops.
The army's biggest weakness is undoubtedly a lack of bad going troops, being limited in most circumstances to 6 Ps(O) - when you don't need them for Sp supporting that is - and the 4 Bd(F). This means that in most cases you will go for mainly open battlefields and screen off the difficult going whilst you attack elsewhere. Although you can always dismount the Regular Cv as very expensive Ax(S) if you are desperate, and it is an option always to be kept in mind if Bw catch you badly. A second weakness is undoubtedly the lack of Cv(S) to provide a good front rank to the Cv(O) - effectively you allow Cv(S) to fight you in a single rank and use their extra troops to go for the flanks, and Cv(O) can be very vulnerable to Kn.
han400ap.txt - a possible 400AP Western Han army.
han400apv2.txt - probably a better version.