Hi All

Reading the new army book I see and understand the ''The number of triarii cannot exceed 1/4 of the number of hastati and principes.''

but I cannot find any reference if Triarii must be taken

So can I take an army with only one TUG of 4 Triarii ?
Or must I have 1 Triarii for every 4 bases of Hastati ?

You do not have to take Triarii.  That is why it is worded as it is. 

Must confess that I don't see anything in the list notes that indicates they are optional:

Quote
Triarii may be deployed separately or combined with the hastati and principes. If combined, the hastati, principes and triarii form a TuG of 5, 4 hastati and principes and 1 triarii.
The number of triarii cannot exceed 1/4 of the number of hastati and principes.

I'd expect the note to state that they are optional or at least say something like "If used Triarii may be deployed ..."

I think it would be beneficial to make it explicit. On the basis of what is written I would say they are not optional if list checking.

They are optional.
It's not 100% clear historically that Triari were always present or in what numbers. The idea as far as I'm aware is that they can either be used in a unit of 5 or in a separate unit of 4. I think they should be optional and also be given the ability to make a unit of 6 as a unit of 4 is very weak. So 4 x 6 Hastati/principles and 1 x 6 Triari. But think realistically they should be an optional troop type in this period.

IMO the wording does not support them being optional. The wording needs changing, just stating it in a forum post is not enough (unless that forum post is the Official List clarifications ones of course  ).

Yes Nik I dont disagree. It could be stated clearly that they are optional.

Added to clarifications.

Richard

Many thanks 

Does the same optionality apply to the Later Campanian Triarii from 275 BCE?

Quote from: AlecJH on December 22, 2021, 08:20:30 AM
Does the same optionality apply to the Later Campanian Triarii from 275 BCE?

It does.