Introduction

In Blood and Plunder the two Catholic monarchies have finally started to work together. Joined together by a common foe in the early 18th century, the Spanish and the French fight side by side to rid the new world of English influence.

When Raise the Black spoilers started filtering through into the community, one of the factions that I personally thought was going to be interesting was the Franco-Spanish Expeditionary Force. This Spanish faction contains a plethora of options that include many of the best French units along with Spanish force staples. Spanish factions before this release did not have access to these French units. So diving into the combos and synergies of these two nations that have formed an alliance is what this faction is all about.

Be warned though! Commanding and coordinating units from two nations to work together can often be a difficult job. Even the most experienced commander can struggle with the task ahead.

Historical Context for the Franco-Spanish Expeditionary Force

During the War of Spanish Succession, pro Bourbon Spain and France under Louis XIV were close allies in Europe as well as America. Here is an excerpt from the RTB historical background for this faction.

“The French and Spanish organized several combined raids on English settlements during the war. In 1703 the leaders of Santiago de Cuba and Saint Domingue formed a joint force of Spanish Regulars and French Boucaniers to attack Nassau in the Bahamas in order to eliminate it as a base for pirates and privateers. They attacked the settlements, destroyed the fort and completely dispersed the population – to such an extent that when a second raid was launched in 1706, there were estimated to be only 26 families left on the island, hidden in the woods. 

The expedition to Charlestown in 1706 was less successful. A joint force of over 300 Spanish and French regulars, 200 Spanish volunteers, and 50 to 100 Indians assembled at St. Augustine in August under the command of Captain Jacques Lefebvre. This was but a shadow of the expedition that had been intended to be launched when the famous Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville had convinced Louis XIV to back an attack the previous year. A hard core of 600 French regulars had sailed from France, but unfortunately disease had decimated the troops, and amongst the fatalities was the great d’Iberville himself. The expedition itself met with no greater fortune; the ships carrying the troops arrived piecemeal, and were destroyed or driven off in detail after some fierce skirmishes. –Raise the Black p 62”

Faction Special Rules

This faction has only on special rule… and it is bad. The fantastic options that this force has gets nerfed a little by this rule.

 “If any unit in this Force is given an extra action with a Command Point by a Commander or Character of a different Nationality, the Commander or Character using the Command Point must take a Resolve test. The extra action may only be taken if the test is passed, otherwise the Command Point is wasted.” –Raise the Black p 62

Keep in mind that Characters and Fighting Men assume the Nationality of the unit they are assigned to. For example an Officer assigned to Boucaniers will be a French Officer and will need to pass a Resolve Test to give a Command Point to any Spanish unit. 

To play this force effectively, you really must plan your Command Points carefully. Lumping all of your Command Points onto your Commander in this faction isn’t the best Idea. It will be better to delegate command to Fighting Men and to keep Command Points localized to individual units.

Core Units

Now to get into what makes this faction so fun. The unit options!

Milices des Caraïbes

This is the core French Militia unit. At 4 points this Inexperienced unit might seem overpriced at first glance but the stats are really what you are paying for here. Fight stats are nothing really to write home about here at 7/7, and if you are looking for a cheap melee unit there are better options. The Shoot value is what makes these guys worth it at 6/7.  Good Shoot and average Shoot Save for a militia is why this unit is 4 points. 6 Resolve is typical for militia so no surprise there. This unit has the option to be Drilled or Elusive. I almost always take Elusive. Plug bayonets on this unit are good if you need to defend a charge, I would try to avoid melee combat with this unit. Good cheaper gun line unit to add to a force.

Boucaniers

The cattle hunters of Hispaniola boast the best Shoot with a musket in the game. This unit also has a ton of great rules, Fast Reload, Elusive, Ball & Shot, and Marksman are all very useful rules. They like to sit in some cover and shoot at <12 inches. Keep them out of a melee though unless you have a big advantage. I like to support Boucanier units with other units that excel in melee so that I can counter charge. I like to keep them safe; they are too expensive to just be thrown into a fight haphazardly.

Milicianos Indios

This is one of my favorite all time units. Stats are 5/8 for Fight, 6/6 for Shoot, and 6 Resolve. With Quick and the ability to take a Hidalgo these guys are very mobile for a long range charge. A Fight Save of 8 is the only big stat weakness. If you can get them in a good position to skirmish, that is when they really shine. This unit likes to be Veterans (if you can afford it) to take maximum advantage of the Quick and Skirmisher rules.  

Milicianos Reformados

Here we have the standard 18th century Spanish militia. They have great (for militia) fight scores of 6/6 paired with bad Shoot scores of 7/8 and a “meh” 6 Resolve. These militia are better than you might expect in a melee combat role. Be aggressive with this unit and they can reward you. You might throw off your opponents plan if you have a unit of cheap militia barreling down on their positions ready to charge. They come with the option to add plug bayonets for 4 points and I must recommend it, if you have the points for it. They come Inexperienced so you may want to give them Command Points to make up for their lack of actions.

Soldados Reformados

This is the Spanish professional soldier unit. They come in a little cheaper than other professional soldiers at 6 points but they also have a little less as far as Special Rules. The other professional soldiers have rules like Hard Chargers, Tough, or Brawlers in addition to Unwavering that are absent here. This unit only gets Ruthless as an extra from what is bare minimum for a soldier. They have great Fight skills at 5/6. They have, what I would call good/standard shoot skills (for a soldier) of 6/7, and the Fast Reload Special Rule! These Bourbon reforms are paying off. I think this is a good value unit for 6 points and is my go to soldier for this faction.

Milicianos Negros

I preface this with saying I have never played this unit with muskets. I see 7/7 for 5 points and say I can do better for a musket unit. However I have played this unit quite a bit with lances and with fight scores at 5/6, they are solid. This is a great option in this faction for a dedicated melee unit. Swapping muskets for lances brings them down to 4 points and allows them to swap Drilled for Elusive for no penalty. A Hidalgo or Reformado with a Command Point to Fight or Charge pairs really well with this unit. 

Fusiliers

You also get the standard French soldier unit as core. I think this unit fits the French philosophy perfectly, shoot from a distance and charge to finish off your opponents. The 5/7 Fight skill/save with Hard Chargers combo is very good and if you pair that with bayonets to get the +1 to your opponents save on a Charge (in most cases). This can devastate an opposing unit that has been softened up. The Shoot stats are just about all you can ask for at 6/6. I personally really like this unit for sea games because of the 6 Shoot Save.

Support Units

Hostigadores

This unit falls into the category of good for the points, but I usually reach for something else in this faction. This is the best non professional musket unit for the Spanish. A 7 Shoot is pretty standard for a Spanish musketeer, but the 6 Shoot Save is the sweetness here. They can take carbines instead of muskets to gain Scouts which is usually a good option.  Unfortunately for my dear Hostigadores, this force provides better options (see Milices des Caraïbes) at this price point for musket units. 

Later Flibustiers

Later Flibustiers are the only models with the Sailor rule in this faction. That makes them pretty attractive if you are taking this faction to sea.  They have good skills at 6 for both Shoot and Fight and a regular 7 Save for both. Resolve is the standard 6 for the French. What I like most about them is how customizable they are in the unit options. They can go up or down on the training level for +1 or -1 point per model respectively. They can also drop buccaneer guns for -1 per model. You could have a good Inexperienced sailor model with a Brace of Pistols for only 3 points. What a deal! (when you don’t play pirates…)

Artillerymen

If you want artillery in your list this is a must include. Very good Artillery crew unit for 3 points. It is very easy to justify giving them a Master Gunner on a ship. If he only gives his unit a Command Point; you need not worry about the Command Point insubordination issues. I’m slightly annoyed that both good sea list units are in the support category, but I’m trying to put a round peg in a square hole here. So I can’t complain too much. 

Commanders for the Franco-Spanish Expeditionary Force

Pierre Lemoyne d’Iberville

D’Iberville is one of the French Legendary commanders. If you would expect D’Iberville to have a plethora of good rules, then you would not disappointed. Scouts, Broadside, Commodore, Inspiring, and Cold Blooded. That is a very good set of rules along with 3 Command Points at 12 inches. Unfortunately that combined with the faction rule can feel like you aren’t getting the most out of this Commander for 30 points. I would suggest leaving him for large games of 300+ or making a French only list if you want to play this faction more competitively. If you are playing this faction more historically/casually I think D’Iberville is extremely fun and flavorful.

The Standard Spanish commanders

The 0, 10, and 20 point Commanders are all we have for Spanish options for this faction. Like I’ve said before I like to keep Command Points spread out in this list so I recommend the 0 point commander and save money for Fighting Men to command individual units. The advantage for picking the Spanish Commander is getting the Ruthless rule for free.

The Standard French commanders

Besides D’Iberville the standard 0, 10, and 20 point Commanders are what you get on the French side. I like the idea of taking the French 10 point Commander slightly better than the Spanish 10 point Commander. I like the French special rule options on their Commanders better. 

Force List Examples of the Franco-Spanish Expeditionary Force

My favorite combos to play with in this faction are the good french shooters alongside the Spanish melee experts. Stuff like Boucaniers and a swarm Milicanos can be really fun. You could also do a list of mostly french muskets and one really hard hitting Spanish melee unit. 

150 point French Militia with Soldado support

200 point Spanish Miliciano swarm with Boucanier support

250 point “plunder like a pirate day” sea list

Buying into the Franco-Spanish Expeditionary Force

Recommending models to buy for this faction is difficult because of the wide variety of units available, but I’m going to take a stab at it. I think the #1 box you would want to get would be the Militia plastic unit box. They can build 50% of the units in this faction and if you squint and modify them you could get a couple more out of it.

 I find that Boucaniers find their way in a lot of my lists so 2 or 3 resin blisters of them will definitely be useful. 

If you plan on playing Spanish anyway, getting a few of the Milicianos Indios models is a no brainer. Milicianos Negros with lances can be represented by the Lancero model. The plastic Sailor sprue can also be used since lances come in that kit.

 If professional soldiery is your thing you can’t go wrong with the Soldier plastic kit for Fusiliers and Soldados.

Great Products for The Franco-Spanish Expeditionary Force

• Milices des Caraïbes
• Militia Plastic Kit – Can be used for Milices des Caraïbes, Milicianos Reformados, Milicianos Negros, Later Flibustier, and Hostigadores.
• Boucaniers 
• Milicianos
• Soldier Plastic Kit – Can be used for Fusiliers and Soldados Reformados.
• Milicianos Indios 
• Sailor Plastic Kit – Can be used for Artillerymen, Later Flibustier, Boucaniers, and Milicianos Negros.
• Cannon Crew
• Raise the Black expansion book that contains the Franco-Spanish Expeditionary Force

Final Thoughts on the Franco-Spanish Expeditionary Force

Units that are not found together anywhere else makes this faction pretty unique. The faulty Command Point rule gives us a good challenge in list building to try to mitigate the downsides of the rule and maximize the upside potential of all the units. I hope you will have as much fun building and playing this faction as I do! 

Article by Garrett Swader

Additional Recommended Reading

• Spanish Militia Faction Review
• French Caribbean Militia Faction Review
• French Expeditionary Force Faction Review
• Iberville Mini Showcase
• Spanish Army Tournament Force