The presentation of the Quincunx formation in the Tactica rules is pretty, but fails to either represent the relief ability of the legion or the strength of the manipular formations. For me, it was a real disappointment to an otherwise fine set of rules.

The only real complications to adding my modifications to Tactica are the Key Unit rule and unit depth. For the Key Unit rule, an entire line of ninety-six figures can be treated as four 24 figure units,which means four units for each line of Hastati, Principes. The Triarii line will continue to be four 12 figure units as the Tactica army is assumed w represent four legions. All stands of a line are placed side-by-side to represent the lines. The stands do not represent individual maniples, but all the maniples in line.

The actual Quincunx formation should be ignored and the infantry placed in line. At the scale represented, the actual quincunx and movement mechanics can not be represented accurately and it adds nothing to play with the new rules. The legion can not be 'surprised' undeployed as can the Ancient Empires legion. All other 'manipular' rules in Tactica are in force including the ability of two stands of heavy infantry to pivot and flank units if they are unopposed to their front. They only requirement would be that the pivoting stands (12 figures) have at least one corner of one stand touching a stand of the rest of their 24 figure line unit at all times.

The Principes can come up and join the Hastati, bases touching, doubling up to provide four to eight ranks in depth. This is the Varro tactic, but the ability to exchange lines is lost. When two or four of heavy infantry are broken (the equivalent of one whole legion in the Roman army), the Romans have lost. This equals the number of figures covered by the Tactica Key unit rule, but instead of 8 twelve-figure Key units, it is now four units totaling 96 figures. (A good reason to use the line exchange ability.)

Specific Rules Modifications and More

Roman Army Tactics
Ancient Empires
Tactica
Armati
De Bellis Series

More Historical Commentary and References