Is the 10k gp mentioned in the IC letter new money? If so, what can we buy with it?
Unlike a regular longbow, a composite longbow can be used from horseback, so I prefer that to a composite shortbow.
[sblock=squadsman gear]
chain mail, 150 gp; 40 lbs; acp -5; +6 AC, max dex +2
heavy wooden shield, 7 gp; 10 lbs; acp -2; +2 AC
MW composite longbow, 400 gp; 3 lbs; 1d8, 20/x3; 110' range inc
lance, 10 gp; 10 lbs; 1d8, 20/x3; reach; 1-handed when mounted; double damage on mounted charge
flail, 8 gp; 5 lbs; 1d8, 20/x2; disarm, trip
sap, 1 gp; 2 lbs; 1d6 nonlethal, 20/x2
40 arrows, 2 gp, 6 lbs
signal whistle (Heinz has already bought and will distribute personally)
total = 578 gp/man; 70 lbs
horse:
heavy warhorse, 300 gp
studded leather barding, 100 gp; light armor (horse will have AC 18 and move 50')
military saddle, 20 gp
bit + bridle, 2 gp
total = 422 gp/horse
overall total = 1000 gp/mounted squadsman; 6000 gp for squad
[/sblock]
I came up with a suggested build using the basic (non-heroic) ability array:
[sblock=suggested squadsman build]
human warrior 1
str 11, dex 15, con 12, int 9, wis 10, cha 8
hp 7 (1d10+2); move 20'; fort +3, ref +2, will +0; BAB +1; CMB +2; CMD 13; init +2
AC 20 w/shield (+6 armor, +2 dex, +2 shield); touch 12, ff 16
AC 18 w/bow (+6 armor, +2 dex); touch 12, ff 16
feats: point blank shot, rapid shot
skills (ranks/total,*= class skill): handle animal* 1/3, perception 0/0, ride* 1/-1 (or 1/1 w/o shield)
attacks (note: while mounted, add +1 on melee attacks vs. medium or smaller creatures)
bow +4 ranged (1d8, 20/x3); note feats
lance +1 melee (1d8; 20/x3); reach, double damage on mounted charge
flail +1 melee (1d8; 20/x2); disarm, trip
sergeant, human warrior 2
hp 15 (2d10+4); fort +4, ref +2, will +0; BAB +2; CMB +3; CMD 14
skills (ranks/total,*= class skill): handle animal* 2/4, perception 0/0, ride* 2/0 (or 2/2 w/o shield)
attacks (note: while mounted, add +1 on melee attacks vs. medium or smaller creatures)
bow +5 ranged (1d8, 20/x3); note feats
lance +2 melee (1d8; 20/x3); reach, double damage on mounted charge
flail +2 melee (1d8; 20/x2); disarm, trip
heavy warhorse: handle animal DC 10 to command a horse
AC 18 (touch 13, ff 14); hp 19; Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +3; Init +4; Speed 50 ft; Perception +8
Melee bite +5 (1d4+5), 2 hooves +5 (1d6+2)[/sblock]