6mm Late 17Thcentury Infantry “Order Arms”

When the army formed a line of battle pikemen, armed with long pikes, were typically positioned in the center of the formation to provide a barrier against cavalry charges. They were also used to protect the musketeers from enemy cavalry. The late 17th century witnessed the gradual transition from pike and shot formations to linear infantry formations, where the musketeers formed ranks and files to deliver massed firepower. Linear tactics allowed for more concentrated and effective musket fire and proved to be more successful in countering cavalry charges.