Brettonians in 8th

[Primarch]

Hey,
Well, thanks to Spevna's availability to paint up some models for me, it looks like I may be playing Brettonians in the near future.
Bearing in mind that I didnt play them in 7th, how do people think they will fare in 8th? I know they aren't a top tier army even with the RAF build, (which I cant do).
Any thoughts?

[Colonel Voss]

sorry I don't know the RAF accronym. Royal Air Force?

I think they stand a good chance of being a mid level army. Hordes of peasants with knights who might be able to get enough rank bonus to negate the steadfast rule. Their trebuchet looks to be painful as well.

[Primarch]

sorry I don't know the RAF accronym. Royal Air Force?

I think they stand a good chance of being a mid level army. Hordes of peasants with knights who might be able to get enough rank bonus to negate the steadfast rule. Their trebuchet looks to be painful as well.

Yep, Royal Air Force. Basically lots of Pegasus knights.

[Colonel Voss]

I don't think the RAF will do as well now, but a small one might still help turn the tide with their mobility

[Lovejoy]

Brets are pretty much all I have played in 7th, so here are my thoughts..basically I am sad to say I don't think they are going to be very competitive in 8th unless the errata overhauls things. Winning is not always an issue, but come on, you want to have a chance, right? I am most likely shelving mine until I have a clearer idea of whats what, shame since I do love them.
I think we need a new army book as soon as when 8th hits, god knows its overdue.
Cavalry were the point of the army, and they look to have been shafted in 8th. My feelings are that mounted only Bret armies will be a thing of the past. I think we will need 2 units of peasants as anvils, the bigger the better (around 30 for example for the steadfast). Knights will have to work in tandem with them, instead of attacking head on will have to get units in the flank whilst peasants hold opponents up for a turn. I don't know as to lance sizes..
Errants usually made up half the knight blocks out of KE/KOTR in 7th. Now fear is not so much of a problem we wont need the immune to psychology that KE provided quite so much (which only lasts the charge anyway) and KOTR will be more sensible. This is a good thing at least, KOTR have better WS for only a few more points.
I used questing knights once in 7th, they were a waste of time, but now they look decent with the +2 S GW coming back. Probably need more than the 5 you get in a (very expensive) pack to be decent I think.
Trebuchets, wonderful. Even in 7th they always got double their points back, with guess range gone they'll be grand. i may use a yeoman now to get the extra BS, since I think scatter will work like 40k, deducting the BS from the deviation die. I may buy another for 8th.
Pegasus Knights will count as monstrous I think, so get the extra attacks, definitely worth having a unit of 4.
Don't see the grail reliquae being worth it really, it was pricey even in 7th (around double the cost of a peasant unit) and with steadfast you are getting the stubborn rule they had anyway, with your peasants.
Bowmen will be okay in big blocks with the volley rules. The longbow range is wonderful. Not quite elves, but about half the price!
Not all bad then, on reflection, but not good. I am concerned about the lance rules though and the hard time it looks like we may have bouncing off units or getting mired in combats we can't last out.

[Primarch]

Cavalry were the point of the army, and they look to have been shafted in 8th.

Can I ask why/how they have been shafted? They still charge the same distance on average. They still hit as hard and units with G Weapons now get an extra point of strength. True, infantry got better and the ability to attack back is an improvement, but generally speaking the bigger units of infantry aren't going to be the good units of infantry.

I think we will need 2 units of peasants as anvils, the bigger the better (around 30 for example for the steadfast). Knights will have to work in tandem with them, instead of attacking head on will have to get units in the flank whilst peasants hold opponents up for a turn.

Steadfast only works if you have more ranks than your opponent and even then, if you lose combat you're still testing Ld on a 6 unless your general is nearby. Plus if you are waiting for an infantry charge before you commit your cavalry, why are you bothering with cavalry in the first place? You're just providing extra turns for the enemy to hit them with war machines, magic and ranged attacks.

[Mike the Pike]

One reason for the shafting is that ranked up Cavalry now get to fight with their second rank (riders only IIRC). Previously that was Brettonia's forte, now every Joe Blow can do it after a fashion. Not many people used to bother with a second rank but I think they will be more popular now.

[Primarch]

One reason for the shafting is that ranked up Cavalry now get to fight with their second rank (riders only IIRC). Previously that was Brettonia's forte, now every Joe Blow can do it after a fashion. Not many people used to bother with a second rank but I think they will be more popular now.

Hopefully, if GW does produce the FAQs as promised I think the Brettonian Lance formation will get some benefits. Fingers crossed