NEW uses of Light Infantry

[[GG]SirDabrowski]

With V6 now out of the door ( By a few good months! ), I've wondered how other people are finding the lights now. Discuss how you use your lights here.
1.) Do you keep them in tight formation, or in loose?
2.) Do you give them valor?
3.) Do you give them armor?
4.) Do you use them as Line infantry?
5.) Do you prefer them when attacking or defending?
6.) Do you prefer lights or rifles?

Feel free to ask more questions!

1.) I always keep mine in tight, it may be a simple illusion, but they always seem to do more damage that way in volley power.
2.) No, they shouldn't be in melee, anyway.
3.) Only ocassionally, if I feel the enemy will have a definite Cavalry advantage, or I feel there is some gain in using my lights as a temporary meatshield.
4.) Yes, when the enemy gets close, and their speed is no longer necessary, using them as a 'support' infantry unit is handy. In a volley match, all muskets are welcome support.
5.) I love having lights when on the attack. Nothing makes me feel more omnipotent then having a definite advantage in lights over the enemy, and capable of wittling him away at will.
6.) It's always easy to choose rifles over lights. Increased range, and the usual increase in accuracy. Yet, rifles can still get their bum's kicked around by lights, if those lights can get close enough to where accuracy doesn't matter.

[[GG]Buxford]

1.) Depends; most of the time I keep them in tight formation, because, like you said, they seem to do more damage that way. I'll put them into loose if they're taking heavy damge.
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2.) I never give my lights valor as they should never be in melee anyway. If I only have a couple hundred florins left, and light valor is the only thing I can afford, I'll give a light or rifle unit 1 valor; we don't want to waste money after all.

3.) Ditto number 2

4.) Yes, after skirmishing has concluded, and the main battle has commenced. I use them mainly as support infantry and try to keep them out of melee for as long as possible

5.) Definately when attacking; I enjoy having the initiative, especially when it comes to lights and skirmishing.

6.) I prefer rifles, simply because of their range; If I go light heavy in a fight, I'll buy 3 rifles and 2 lights. In a normal fight, I'll buy 3 rifles. The faction I play usually influences what I buy, as some factions are significantly superior in lights and rifles than others.

[[GG] Lord Ashram]

I ADORE lights... between the French Tirreleurs and the the British lights, I have had some VERY successful games with them! Okay, to answer your questions...

1.) Do you keep them in tight formation, or in loose?
Loose. I dont want them taking casualties, and their shooting is the same. I will bring them into tight when cav gets near, or if they are not being fired on, but generally I leave them loose!

2.) Do you give them valor?
Nope! As has been said, if they are in close combat, then they are being used wrong. I sometimes will give a little valour, however, because I have found that lights extra manoveurability can allow me to get them around combats and into the rear of engaged enemy units, which is VERY helpful.

3.) Do you give them armor?
Again, nope.

4.) Do you use them as Line infantry?
Rarely. Since they are so cheap with no valour and since they have long range I tend to make sure I have used them up before the line infantries get near each other:)

5.) Do you prefer them when attacking or defending?
Attacking I think. As Dab and Bux mentioned, that is when you are really able to keep at a distance and use them the way they should be used. I feel like on defence I tend to not want to move from an ideal position. However, to be honest, they are useful for both!

6.) Do you prefer lights or rifles?
Hmm toughie. Personally I prefer lights, as rifles are just SOOO expensive. However, if you need their range, rifles are just invaluable. I was the attacker in a game recently against an equal money British defender on a nice ridge. I knew there was no way I could win in a traditional game; they could outshoot me, and that ridge would make a charge almost impossible, and with equal florins even if I made it up the ridge and into combat I would be in trouble. So I loaded up on four rifle units, and spent an hour carefully making sure I was engaging when they could not. The enemy had two units of rifles that I was able to double team and wear down, and eventually I was able to eliminate them and start in on the line behind them. I ended up winning the game as the enemy realized they were in a bad position and attacked, and I was able to see them off! So generally I prefer lights, but when you really need range you need to buy rifles.

Curious what others think!