People in our hobby are often in the position of having very limited numbers at an event. The principal goal of this article is to offer for general consideration some of the lessons and ideas which have risen out of our experience. This scenario is agreed upon in advance by the commander of the Attackers and by a responsible Defender who does not have independence of action. Pike are grouped in units of two or three at least. The general principle is that any unit must withdraw when under attack by an opponent who has the tactical advantage.
Withdrawal means either retiring to cover, or removing oneself from range of the attack.
A pike unit defeated by another pike unit must withdraw. A unit not under cover and under fire from an opposing unit must withdraw unless the fire is returned, either by that unit or by a covering unit. Anyone within 10 feet of a grenade when it goes off must withdraw. The situation of an attack on a camp similarly helps to focus the encounter in a manner well suited for small forces. It works very nicely to have the goal of the Attackers known not at all or only vaguely to the Defenders.