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So I'm looking to start an Empire army, however, I know very little about the units, blue-chip combos, or point costs. I do however know that I want the army to consist of at least two units of "line" infantry (hand gunners), cavalry, a parent unit of spearmen, and a cannon or two. What would you suggest for starting sizes (so I can plan out how many boxes I need to buy) in order to create a balanced list for those units? Also, what about heroes and other units that would possibly be fluffy? Thanks!

For Napoleonic, definitely look into pistoliers or outriders. If you want to stick to the theme don't use knights. Handgunners are good, use plenty of cannons, use halberdiers over spearmen for fluff and competitiveness purposes. Characters, master engineers definitely, and general/captains on horses with pistols and swords

And cannons, Napoleon loved his cannons.

Thanks for the replies! Is there an unspoken limit on the number of canons before they're considered "cheesy"?

ArDeZe wrote:
Thanks for the replies! Is there an unspoken limit on the number of canons before they're considered "cheesy"?

In normal games, you're limited to 3.
Take 3.

-Matt

The trick with this build is that it's going to basically just be a gunline. If you do enough damage with your shooting before close combat starts, you win. If you don't, you loose. It gets pretty boring awfully fast.

Now going for the halberdier option, that makes it more interesting. You can still use some handgunner detachments, but the halberdiers are the main troops. So maneuvering them for maximum effect becomes key...

If you want the appearance of lots and lots of handguns I would limit the frontage of your halberdiers. Using a 5x6 units of halberds with units of ten guns as detachments. Go with 2 blocks of 30 with 2 detachments of ten guns on each side and more as needed since they are troops. The problem with handguns are the 24" range. You might only get one maybe 2 shots and a stand and shoot. Also mortars are underrated. The strength is weak but if youre rolling lots of dice you will score enough wounds

Actually, for a true napoleonic army, pistoliers wouldnt be appropriate. Hoestly, its handgunners and knights are your best bets for core (line infantry and lancers respectively). Mounted missile troops were very rare (try reloading a musket on horseback), and even dragoons dismounted to use their carbines. But cannons = 3, mortars and rockets (not good, but fluffy, rockets for the British anyway). Archers as 'count-as' light infantry, reduced strength is a sign on the fewer shots compared to a full unit...