Welcome to the Strelets Forum. Please feel free to discuss any aspect of 1/72 scale plastic figures, not simply Strelets. If you have any questions about our products then we will answer them here.
I don't wargame, not any more, I gave up after facing a particularly childish outburst from one opponent in response to my militia brigade routing his guards.
My collection is based on the real armies themselves. Of course sources differ/argue but my French average 20, though vary from 10 to 26.
By comparison the Prussians and allies average 26 ranging from 14 to 43.
Cavalry average 16 across the board. Artillery has one gun and crew per troop/company plus a team of horses and drivers with either a limber or caisson in support. Wargamers will be jumping up and down saying how do you play half companies with one gun? To which I reply, I don't wargame!
In all 12,000 figures, which are awaiting Netherlands Carabineers and Prussian artillery train to compete the deal. Though I don't mind waiting a little longer for these if it means Alan gets his LRDG, and we get a little peace ;0)
16 men here for an average SYW battalion of say 500-600 men, larger formations a total of 18/20 and weaker ones about 12, all carrying 2 colours. The number being more of a compromise btw time invested and a nice variety/number of units.
The rules I use are more concerned with the number of 'bases' rather than figures. Black Powder, General D Armee and Honours of War current favorite sets
Essentially for a standard battalion four bases works, and for WSS and Napoleonics 6 figs in two rows per base looks right to us (40mm aware bases)
For Napoleonics then would throw in additional bases of Skirmishers but more at a Brigade level. 2 or 3 figures to a base.
For units that were larger or small add base or two
We like big games so that works, if doing a smaller campaign such as War of 1812 may be tempted to use larger battalion (say36) for the aesthetics.
I use Carnage and Glory computer moderated rules. My battalions
are 4-6 figures, my cavalry regiments are 4-6 figures, my artillery
is 1 gun per battery. Carnage and Glory has a system that keeps
track of exactly how many men you have fit, are wounded, or missing
so basing is more for color than counting.