Fish Scale Formation

The Fish Scale Formation is a military tactic that sees use most commonly amongst the heavy cavalry units of Creation. Cavalry are formed up in a wedge shape, its point directed towards the enemy line, where the armoured horsemen strike with great force to pierce through a shield wall and sweep from there along its flanks. Typically the riders will be armed with spears or lances to maximize impact of their charge, and the riders with the heaviest armour (and most well-barded mounts) positioned at the tip and sides.

The Austrech-mounted knights of Thorns were particularly famed for the tactic, and employed it to great effect in the War of Broken Thorns. However, the expense of maintaining armour and mounts is significant, and such riders are the ones placed on the formations edge where risks are highest, a danger of the Formation and one which cost Thorns many of its young leaders as that war dragged on.

While the name of the Formation refers to the pointed shape of a fish scale and the tactic’s relation to the Dragon Scale Formation, the polished armour of riders and mounts assembled in the formation is often said to ‘shine like the scales of a fish’.

The Thousand Correct Actions teaches that a wedge is often the weapon to break a shield wall, but (particularly when involving cavalry) can be countered in turn through presenting a wall of pikes and spears.