Yet Another ECW AAR - Baroque Rules

Monday night we stepped into the ECW with a scenario based upon the Battle of Stow-on-the-Wold, we used Baroque Rules. Dave and I commanded the Parliamentarians and George donned an outrageous plumed hat (not really) and took charge of the Royalists!

This game was delayed a week so the figures sat for a week on the table for a full seven days gathering dust and apparently straining!

To balance the scenario I balanced both of the forces point wise but kept them in true to history resulting in a slightly smaller and better quality Parliamentarian Army whilst the Royalist force was bigger but lacked quality.

The OOB's

The Royalists

2 x Reliable Leaders both with 6BU Command Range

1 x B Discipline Pike & Musket Regiment

4 x C Discipline Pike & Musket Regiments

1 x Forlorn Hope Unit

2 x Light Guns

2 x B Discipline Galloper Regiments

1 x C Discipline Galloper Regiment

The Parliamentarians

1 x Reliable Leader with 6BU Command Range

1 x Reliable Leader with 2BU Command Range

3 x B Discipline Pike & Musket Regiments

1 x C Discipline Pike & Musket Regiment

2 x Forlorn Hope Unit

1 x Light Guns

2 x B Discipline Trotter Regiments

1 x C Discipline Reiter Regiment

The Battle

The Royalists were deployed in a line covering two thirds of the table, facing them was the main Parliamentary force with about a third of their number entering the table top behind the Royalists left flank.

The Roundheads gained the initial move and their line advanced! The other Roundheads advancing on the Royalists flank units were horrified by this they were quite away from the fray! By advancing the Roundheads exposed themselves to possible combat with the Royalists before the flanking Units could engage.

Taking up the challenge the Royalists advanced all but two cavalry regiments to engage the main Parliamentarian force! The Horsemen moved to cover the Army's' left.

The first shots were exchanged between the Royalists Forlorn Hope and two Regiments of Roundhead Pike and Musket, the Forlorn Hope was blown away during the brief shooting match! The rest of the Royalist Army drew up to their opponents and a brisk firefight ensued the Parliamentarians getting better of the action. On the far flank the Cavalier and Roundhead horse deployed there engaged in a charge and counter charge in which the Royalist horse were soundly defeated, Roundhead Cavalry were loose in the rear of the Royalist Army!

The Roundhead flank force raced toward the action and engaged the King's horse that were screening their Army's Flank, again the Parliamentarians got the better of the fight destroying both the Royalist Horse Regiments for the loss a Foot Unit.

Meanwhile in the centre of the battlefield the Royalists still stubbornly attacked! Two of their Pike and Musket Regiments advanced and despite their heroic efforts the Parliamentarian Foot held them off!

The better disciplined Parliamentarian Foot at this point broke the centre of the Royalist attack and the Morale of the King's troops collapsed, they turned and fled from the field followed by the cheers of the Government's New Model Army.

It was a close run thing but a Victory to the Roundheads.

Some Pictures

The Royalists at the ready!

As were the men of the new Model Army!

The first shots are fired as both battle lines close, a good but costly tactic from the Royalists, their Forlorn Hope were wiped out as they advanced but they did use up up several of the Roundheads Regiments bonus first fire!

Both Armies continue to approach each other! The Royalist's Forlorn Hope can be seen in the centre of the battlefield shrouded in smoke as they fired on the Roundheads!

The Roundheads flanking force arrive!

The battle lines face off, the Parliamentarians are in the foreground...

Volleys are exchanged, the Roundheads better discipline kept their losses down as the Royalist casualties mounted.

The Royalist right flank charges the Parliamentarian left flank who naturally attempted but failed to counter charge!

The Roundheads were victorious sweeping aside the cavaliers, the Royalists right was unguarded!

Charge!!!!!

The Government's main flank attack develops and the Cavalry clash...

...whilst in the centre the battle was approaching its climax!

A crisis for the Parliamentary Forces as two big attacks by the Royalists scored multiple hits both requiring a roll of a one on a D6 for the Government troops to survive, both Units rolled ones, the Dice Gods favoured the Cromwellians!

The Royalist left flank was now open too as the Roundhead horse cleared the Royalist Cavalry covering it!

The battlefield at games end,..

I just love these Essex figures, en masse they capture what I imagine ECW Pike and Shotte Regiments looked like!

Afterwards Stuff

Well it was a great game! A good victory to the Parliamentarians, but in no way a certain one. The Royalists were in an interesting position at the start of the game with several tactical options to pick from, full defence, all out attack to the front, attack to the front and screen the flank, they chose the last one. The force balancing worked well and both sides could have won.

Two questions regarding the rules came up during game play I will pose to the authors they were;

1. Do Cavalry require a 'rally discipline test' to not not keep charging (from the tabletop) after destroying an opponent? We played it right as we read the rules and one wasn't required but some thought it could be worth ruling for certain horse units as it was a known occurrence.
2. Does a Unit that has fired in the current turn during its 'phase' have a option to conduct Defensive or Opportunity fire in the same turn? From our reading of the rules all units can attempt to react once per turn despite their 'status' so played it that way.

King David AAR - Battle Of Abdju

Well we have another game using the King David ruleset under our belts! Dave commanded Prince Snafu this time and John Prince Khungfu, I umpired!

After the Battle on the Plain of the Dead between the rival Princes Snafu sent his chariots in pursuit of Khungfu’s defeated army whilst Khungfu withdrew into seclusion to have his injuries treated! Both knew another action was in the offing to decide the Pharaohship.

The bulk of Prince Snafu’s army moved north and made camp in the shadows of a ruined, half buried Pyramid to await the arrival of their errant charioteers. Little did Prince Snafu know as his troops built their camp but Prince Khungfu had rallied his chariot reserves and descended onto the plain outside of Abdju and insight of the ruined Pyramid to again face off against him! The true Heir’s men rallied to their banners as Khungfu’s army deployed the battle was afoot!

Prince Khungfu, his heavily bandaged right shoulder, thigh and leg hidden by his robes orders his Army to charge his brothers defensive position!

The OOBs

Prince Snafu

(19 Points)

3 x Chariots

6 x Heavy Infantry Units

4 x Archer Units 2 with Falcon Warrior Hero Trait

1 x Sacrificial Lamb

8 x Favours

8 x Disfavours

Prince Khungfu (Good Quality Command)

(20 Points)

7 x Chariots

2 x Heavy Infantry Units

2 x Skirmisher Units

1 x Sacrificial Lamb

8 x Favours

5 x Disfavours

Victory Conditions for Both Sides

The Game

This was going to be interesting with two such different armies one of mass and one of manoeuvre!

Prince Khungfu launched his wings forward and instead of trying to envelope his slow foe used one Chariot Unit on each flank to pin Snafu's numerically inferior chariots while trying to crush the foot with a withering frontal assault!

The Usurper was successful tying up his enemies mobile units but suffered horrendous reverses as his elite charioteers proved totally unable to drive in Snafu's lowly archers and then trample the infantry! Attack after attack bounced, the Gods were fighting on the side of the bowmen it seemed!

Despairing at these reversals Prince Khungfu advanced to rally his chariots but it was as if he was cursed by the Gods on this day as his chariot crashed! Horrified his Body Guard closed ranks and successfully got him into the hands of his physicians yet again!

Finding themselves leaderless for a second time Khungfu's Army stalled! The last organised Chariot Units ignoring the setback flung themselves into the fray and charged the Heir's Armies centre and finally scored a belated success! Snafu's vaunted Falcon Warriors retired with losses and a Unit of Heavy Infantry was trampled. It was too little too late as everywhere else on the battlefield the Usurper's soldiers were retiring with Prince Snafu's men hot on their heels.

A second victory to Prince Snafu!

Pictures

The Princes armies line up, Snafu's...

...and Khungfu's...

Khugfu's aggression shows as his whole army advances (with a cunning plan in mind) while Snafu's foot sloggers creep forward. Snafu surprises his foes as he reveals some Heroic Falcon warriors amongst his army's number, these archers have improved firepower but are poor in melee combat!

Then the Usurper's charioteers launch themselves at Snafu's screen of Archers and chariots! Khungfu is shocked as his elite warriors are easily repulsed by mere peasant bowmen!

Dave rolled some magic dice at this point and helped by some favours of the Gods he embarrassed the mighty Charioteers!

With his left wing attack repulsed Khungfu unleashed the chariots of his right wing! The embarrassment continued, the first charge at the exposed archers was fought off...

...as was the second when aided by the Gods!

John had to reroll his '6' a got a '1'

Not daunted Khungfu launched a second wave of attacks while Snafu found it hard to deploy his densely packed Heavy infantry!

Again the archers repelled the charioteers this time assisted by the Priests offering up a Sacrificial Lamb to the Gods, Mighty Horus responded! 

Snafu's close ties to the Dice Gods continued to help his foot units hold off the fierce charioteers!

Khungfu's Chariot Units were demoralised at their inability to penetrate even the lighter troops of Snafu's army!

Then history repeated itself (and this was NOT a set up) Khungfu 'came a cropper' for a second time! His chariot crashed and again his retinue had to escort him from the field of battle! 

Overcome at their bad luck two of Khungfu's Army started to crumble but the last organised Chariot Units hurled themselves one last time at Snafu's Army and scored success, damaged the central units of archers fled and a Heavy Infantry Unit unable to retire was trampled!

This was Khungfu's plan from the beginning seeing how packed Snafu's troops were he figured a few success could result in units being destroyed due to the deployment.

Unfortunately it was too little too late, Snafu's troops elated at seeing Prince Khungfu fall took on their foes and smite them!

Discretion was the better part of valour at this point and the remains of Khungfu's army retired!

Battlefield at the end of play!

Coffee and Afterwards Stuff!

Well a good evening was had yet again with some Biblical gaming, why haven't we played with chariots before we asked ourselves they are almost as much fun as ECW Cavalry! The rules tweaking has reached a sweet spot and we spent more time thinking about the situation than the rules! Tweaking aside these rules again have all we need for a good evening of gaming; the initiative system is superb, overall the rules are relatively simple so easy to get (harder to master) and the era flavouring rules add to the excitement. Both sides could have manoeuvred better on the night but the telling event was Khungfu crashing his chariot for a second game in a row ("What a knob!" we hear the rank and file roar!), once leaderless his army's reduced commands made it an uphill struggle plus the loss of just this one unit pushed it halfway to its breaking point! General consensus was next game Khungfu should be on foot if not replaced by his elder twin brother Prince Phubar!

Oh and for this TSOG session we had our fellow gamer and blogger John drop in for the evening! You can follow him on his blog; Wargaming with Barks Blogspot

First AIF Two-Up Game Eureka Miniatures Figures

What better day than ANZAC Day to show off the Eureka Miniatures Two-Up Set!

I’ve had this for some time and painted and based them up ages ago, here are the players on last night’s tabletop…

The set comes with four figures; three Aussies involved in playing two-up and a dour looking Officer observing them. I think the officer is British from the uniform but could be wrong, the castings are crisp and the players look to be 'in action' all very nice! I don't think my painting does this set justice but it works for me! 

They are well worth the money!

Being ANZAC Day my partner and I attended the local Dawn Service, a bit of a tradition for us both having family that served our great country in both World Wars, it is a small token for to show our appreciation for what they did!

'Lest we Forget!'

King David AAR - Duel on the Plain of the Dead!

Easter Monday was our usual game day so in keeping with the theme we played our first Biblical Battle! We only had the one army available, Egyptians from the New Kingdom so I came up with a slightly plausible situation where we could nave two Egyptian Armies fighting each other and then we consulted the book of King David (Rules)!

The sudden passing of the Great Pharoah Sooti I was a surprise to the nation of Egypt, he had been a mighty bear of  man to most of the populace but to others a mere hand puppet controlled by his Grand Vizier. His death lead to a power vacuum across the lands of Egypt! The future of the Dynasty he founded hung in the balance as his first son the Pharoah in waiting was challenged by his youngest born, the Grand Vizier's Favourite! The stage was set for a battle of Titans! On the Plain of the Underworld the two protagonists arranged their armies to decide the future of Egypt's leadership!

Well that sets up a situation where with only a single Ancient Biblical Army we can squeeze in a game! This results from me recently buying a fully painted and based Ancient Egyptian Army!

The Armies

Prince Snafu - Heir to the Throne

Prince Khungfu - Pretender to the Throne supported by the Grand Vizier

Both OOB's consist of (213 points);

1 x Leader on Light Chariot 25points

4 x Light Chariots 100 points

4 x Heavy Infantry Units 60 points

2 x Archer Units 20 points

1x Skirmisher Unit 8 points

Prior to the game we rolled for Leader Quality and Omens(?!), we did not use the Hero Attributes this game. Also no one carried out any Animal Sacrifices prior to the game, they cost 3 points per sacrifice and give you the opportunity to cancel out Omens!

Also I included a couple of House Rules that came out of a playtest the week before with Dave;

Units have two steps first hit without a successful Saving Throw and the Unit is marked, it now has a -1 modifier for Melee Combat and saving Throws, second unsuccessful hit without a successful Saving Throw and the Unit is kaput!

National Characteristic Egyptian chariots get a +1 modifier for Fire Combat, due to this being a favoured tactic, means they can shot to long range and scoot

Leader Unit gets a +1 modifier for Fire and Melee Combat and on its Saving Throw

Infantry Units attacked from the front by chariots get a +1 Combat modifier

Chariots must use all their initiatives or if stationary can pass all initiatives (not clear in rules)

If a chariot contacts a friendly Unit due to its movement restrictions the chariot becomes stationary and both Units roll a D6 a '1' is a hit, a Saving Throw is allowed!

Foot can partially use their initiatives or pass all (not clear in rules)

The Game

Both side squared off in the same formation and started to advance.

Prince Khungfu held his infantry back but loosed his charioteers on both flanks!

Snafu kept his infantry moving but his careful plan to hold his chariots in reserve went to pieces when on seeing the opposition chariots advance they moved forward too! Snafu was heard to mutter "𓂀 ☥𓂀!".

So a swirling chariot on chariot action developed while the foot of both sides wary of exposing their flanks closed with each other.

At this point the wheels fell off for the Usuper's army, literally, Prince Khungfu deciding to lead from the front came a cropper as his chariot lost a wheel as he started to advance, the bruised and battered prince was carried from the battlefield by this Bodyguard! The Pretender's army was leaderless but urged on by ranting Priests pressed forward with a mind to avenge the ill luck that had befallen their leader!

Ironically both sides won a chariot battle, on the Oasis flank of the battlefield Prince Snafu's men were dominant while on the ruined Temple flank Prince Khungfu's charioteers were supreme.

Snafu's chariots beat the Usurpers ones into action against the foot though and the resulting carnage of foot being attacked in the flank by rampaging chariots pushed Khnugfu's army passed its break point and they retired!

The Legitimate Heir had won the first clash of the rivals for the 'Pharoahship'!

Some Pictures

The Army of Prince Snafu advances, you can already notice a Foot Unit falling behind the others see 'Afterwards Stuff' below!

Prince Khungfu lures Snafu's foot forward while both sides chariots skirmish on the flanks!

Everything was looking good for the usurper then...

...the dreaded Snake Eyes...or being a game set in Egypt should I say Serpents Eyes! Prince Khungfu's comes a cropper as his Chariot loses a wheel and he is carted from the battlefield his pride in tatters! Also a bummer for his Army as everyone is out of Command Control so has a -1 modifier on their Initiate Rolls!

Prince Snafu's far left Infantry engage Khungfu's line...

...and are sent running!

Prince Snafu's chariots win the advantage on the oasis side of the plain and line up to attack the Usurper's Foot Units!

Conversely on the Temple flank of the battlefield Prince Khungfu's chariots (blue horse blankets) despite being leaderless are dominant routing Snafu's charioteers (red horse blankets)...

...and as they prepare to charge the rear of the Pharoah's First Son's Army...

...Prince Snafu's chariots swing the game, charging and dispersing a Unit of Archers...

...and then a Unit of Spearmen, these losses break the morale of Khungfu's force which retreat from the Plain of the Undead, beaten but not defeated...Khungfu vows he will return!

A victory to the rightful heir Prince Snafu!

Afterward Stuff!

Righteo we had an exciting game. The rules, King David were easy to learn, the action was pretty quick and it had what we expected to be a Biblical battle feel, plodding foot sloggers and out of control chariots (that maybe a false impression of the era's warfare but is what we have in our minds!)! Both side chariots got into the action but the foot of both sides were slow to engage so overall we did not see much foot to foot action in this game, lots of chariot on chariot stuff and a bit of chariot on foot combat. The post game discussion highlighted the issue of maintaining battlelines as Infantry with an initiative roll of a '1' can wheel but that's it! So next time we will allow Foot Units that roll an initiative of '1' to wheel OR take a move straight ahead to maintain battle line cohesion but they CAN NOT contact an enemy Unit with this free move, this will keep battle lines moving and in a semblance of order, I for one are looking forward to trying the Rules again!

Song of Drums and Kepis AAR - Assault the Farm Scenario

Last Monday we continued the ACW theme with another skirmish game using the Song of Drums and Kepis Rules.  We picked the Assault the Farm Scenario and followed up the topic of our first game. Again we join Ewell's Corps in the summer of 1863 as they continue their advance north to the Susquehanna River. Our forces also carried over, the Union Conscripts and Militia received a few reinforcement and remained under the command of Master Sergeant O'Higgins whilst the severely depleted Southerners were bolstered by more men from their Company and were led by a new Officer, Lieutenant Haggerty.

The Rebels 'Take the Bridge...'!

The Forces

USA

1 x NCO with Rifle and Revolver

1 x Veteran Marksman with Rifle

10 x Conscripts with Rifles

3 x Militiamen with Rifles

CSA

1 x Officer with Revolver and Sword

8 x Veterans with rifles

4x Veterans with Muskets

The Game

The Union played a delaying strategy believing the Rebs would come straight down the road and across the bridge, also a couple of privates were dispatched across the ford to threaten the Southerners flank but they held their nerve and kept together and pressed their attack! The Confederates planned to capture the bridge destroy the isolated Yankees in the open then assault the farm!

For a couple of turns the Yankee skirmishers held the Confederates on the bridge and that proved to be crucial for the game, it allowed the Union Marksman time to inflict three important casualties on the Rebs unfortunately he was wounded and taken out of action seeking a fourth hit! At this point the three surviving Union skirmishers ran for the farm and the two privates feigning an attack on the Rebs flank also returned to the defensive position.

The Yanks appeared to have the advantage being in cover and more men but a gratuitous kill from a Reb hit sent several conscripts fleeing. Taking this opportunity the Rebs pressed the defender, but just a few good shots from the Farm's defenders inflicted just enough losses on the Southerners to break them!

A Northern Victory, but only just!

Some Pictures

Yankee skirmishers try to delay the Rebs giving their marksman targets!

The Rebs pressed the attack across the bridge, eventually pushing the Union troops back but losing three men to only two Yanks

O'Higgins dispatched two privates to feign an attack on the Rebs flank...they were too clever and didn't fall for the bait!

The Union Marksman on the left was able to hit three Rebs whilst they were held up on the distant bridge!

Lieutenant Haggerty directed his men's fire and a few volleys later the Union marksman was silenced!

The defence of the farm in the balance, four conscripts can be seen running after one of their number was hit in the head by a Reb Minnie Ball! Two Yanks fled entirely from the board due to seeing their fellows fall in action!

Th Confederates final push on the farm!

Get at 'em boys!

The Union conscripts rally!

The Union fire tells as Reb casualties mount and they break off the attack...

The battlefield at games end...

After Game Stuff

Well this was one of the closest results we've seen for quite a while, for a couple of turns both sides were only one or two casualties from breaking, luck went with the Union on this occasion! The Song of... series of rules is universally liked by TSOG!

Next fortnight we are keeping in theme with the season playing a Biblical game!