One key difference is this statement in Simple Mass Combat Rules:
"[each combat group] can act like a follower and add AP to the main force OR they can try and augment the main force's skill. "
You could just add the APs together, which would be like the supporting group doing the same as the main run e.g. rushing forward in a big charge together or use your skills to augment, which is like the supporting group attacking on the flank or firing missile fire to cover the main group's charge.
One other aspect to keep in mind is that the base AP is based on the force size NOT it's skill.
As I think about it the system favours an army with one core high skill group, a mass
of average troops fighting alongside them and perhaps a few supporting arms like
skirmishers and bowmen. This is very consistent with the armies of Glorantha and the
"real world" similiar societies.
The high skill group is knights, the masses the peasant horde with a few mercenaries
like crossbowmen added to the mix...
or... the clan's weapon thanes, the fyrd masses supported by the hunters acting as
bowman.
Brian Laxson
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