wargamesdiary   A diary of war games and board games

Bruce set up Legion of Honour.  We started as Major’s at the beginning of Napoleon’s wars in earnest.  Phil’s Major literally fell from his horse and then was decimated along with his unit in the first battle.  Mike’s Major proved to be adept at smuggling and sword-fencing and was soon amassing both money and Glory.  He had a talent for sending Darryl on secret missions earning the name Le Weasel.  He almost died in one battle but was rescued by Phil at the last minute.

Bruce lost his money to partisans but otherwise went from strength to strength.  This was despite being wounded by Mike in a duel.   Alex proved adept at catching the pox and the ladies notice and was soon married and also amassed great wealth which he tried to hide from his new wife.  He lost a duel to a Burgher though!  Both Phil and Alex married at the Warsaw Christmas Camp.

By game end everyone except Phil had reached one rank higher to at least Colonel I believe and Alex had an important Office and was promoted to a junior General level.  However three of our heroes have been sent to Spain and fear for the future unless they can transfer to less deadly theatres of war.

Preparing the battlefield, army lists and learning the rules for the new to the strongest rules for English civil war. Looking quite good at 28mm in 15cm boxes on a six by four table I think.

Order of Battle- First Relief of the Basing House Siege: 1643

For King and Parliament ECW

Infantry Units are about 120mm wide (2 elements of 6cm).    Will be 4 ranks deep.  60 to 80mm.  Pike to rear.  Shot to Front.

Cavalry units are about 120mm wide (2 elements of 60mm) (6 figures on 20-25mm bases).  To be one rank deep for Swedish (40/ 50mm) or 2 ranks deep for Dutch (100mm)?

To be played in single squares 150mm each.

Royalists

The Army of His Royal Highness Prince Maurice, Count Palatine of the Rhine

115 Points Cost

Horse

50 points

6 units of “Swedish Horse”.   36 figures in total always deployed in one rank.  2 hits, one ammo, 2 VP each=6 VP.  6×6=36 points.  2 Veteran=2×2=4. 3 Well Mounted.  4×1=4.

Earl of Northampton’s Horse:  1st, 2nd Troops of Horse. 1st and 2nd Co. Veteran (Green Flags).

Colonel Compton’s Troop of Horse.  Seasoned (Red flag).

Prince Maurice’s Horse:  1st, 2nd and 3rd and 4th Troops of Horse.  All 4 Well Mounted.

Foot

58 points

Regiments of Foot 2 shot to one pike.  About 12cm wide.

1st Company. Prince Rupert’s Blue Coats Regiment.  Seasoned 3 hits, 3 ammo, 3 VP. 9 points.

2nd Company. Prince Rupert’s Blue Coats Regiment.  Seasoned 3 hits, 3 ammo, 3 VP. 9 points.

Earl of Northampton’s Green Coats Regiment.  Pike Heavy.  Seasoned. 7+.  3 hits, 1 ammo, 3VP. 9 points.

1st Co. King’s Lifeguard Red Coats Regiment.  Seasoned.  3 hits, 3 ammo, 3VP. 9 points.

2nd Co. King’s Lifeguard Red Coats Regiment.  Seasoned.  3 hits, 3 ammo, 3VP. 9 points.

Sir Allen Aspley’s Red Coats, White and Black Flag Regiment. Seasoned.  3 hits, 3 ammo, 3VP. 9 points.

Dragoon’s (Earl of Northampton’s).  Two rank.  With mounted figures (to show horse holders) .  Seasoned 7+. 2 hits, 2 ammo, 2VP. 4 points.

Officers and Gentlemen

Three Brigades (32 hits)

Two Colonels, 1 VP each = 2 VP.  2×4=8 points.

One Gallant Commanding General. 4 VP. 6 points.

Two Gallant Gentlemen Cavaliers.  2 points.

Victory Points.

one victory points plus one per brigade in the army for a commanding general
one victory points plus one per brigade under his command for each general.
one victory point for each colonel.
one victory point for each of a unit’s hits.

Total VM= 40×0.4= 16 Victory Medals:

Parliament

The Army of Sir William Waller, Major General

points.

Horse

57 points. 18 hits.

5 units of “Dutch Horse”.  3 hits, 3 ammo, 3VP.  5×9=45

Waller’s Horse:  1st, 2nd and 3rd Troops.

Brereton’s Horse:  1st, 2nd and 3rd Troops.

6 elements of 3 Horse each unit.  2 ranks deep.  12 per unit.  72 figures

Sir Arthur Haselrig’s Lobsters.   2 ranks Deep.  3 hits, 10 figures.  3 VP. 12 points.

Foot

40 points.  13 hits.

Regiments of Foot 2 shot to one pike.  About 12cm wide.

London Tower Hamlets Trained Band.  Veteran Unit.  3 hits, 4 ammo, 3 VP. 12 points.

Colonel Edward Alrdich’s Grey Coats Regiment.  Seasoned.  3 hits, 3 ammo, 3VP. 9 points.

London Trained Band (Black and Red Banner, Red Coats) Regiment of Foot.  Seasoned.  3 hits, 3 ammo, 3VP. 9 points.

Commanded Shot in Tawny Coats, Earl of Essex.  Two rank.  2 hits, 3 ammo, 2VP. Seasoned.  6 points.

Colonel Oakey’s Dragoons (Buff Coats, Flintlocks).  Seasoned.  Horse Holders.  Two rank. 2  hit, 2 ammo, 2 VP. 4 points.

Parliament Artillery Train:

10 points, 2 hit

Field Artillery:  6 ammo.  4 points.  1 hit.

Siege Artillery, seasoned.  6 points. 1 hit.

Officers and Gentlemen

Three Brigades

Two Colonels, 8 points.  Two Brigades.  1VP each=2VP.

One Commanding General. 5 points.  One Brigade.  4VP.

1 Gallant Gentleman.  1 points.

Victory Points.
one victory points plus one per brigade in the army for a commanding general
one victory points plus one per brigade under his command for each general.
one victory point for each colonel.
one victory point for each of a unit’s hits.

Total 39×0.4=16  Victory Medals:

The Scenario: 1643, Basing House

Siege Relief.  The small fortified Manor has been besieged by Waller and the Roundheads.  With the arrival of the Parliamentarian Artillery Train and the heavy siege artillery all seems lost.  However force marching with hate to the South comes Prince Maurice and the Earl of Northampton hoping to relieve the Siege and if possible seize the artillery for the Crown.

For his part Waller hopes to defy the Royalists.  With the London Trained Bands and Haselrig’s famous Lobsters plus his own trusty horse he has deployed for battle aiming to claim a famous victory before the gates of Basing House.  Such a defeat would surely persuade the garrison to surrender as he has been negotiating in secret with the Lord of the command for some weeks now and all seems to be going to plan.  For their part Maurice and the Earl of Northampton have brought their own strong and eager cavalry force expecting to drive the roundheads from the field with ease.  Somewhat taken aback by the size and strength of the cavalry opposing them it appears they will also need to rely on their loyal infantry too.  Fortunate indeed therefore that they have Prince Rupert’s own regiment of foot with them well attired in coats of blue and armed with the latest muskets in number.  No less fierce but lacking slightly in muskets the doughty Earl of Northampton’s foot and Dragoons stand ready to give battle.

Engagement. 

Terrain.  Fields and Hedges to either side, Orchards and Dove cote to be placed.  Mix of difficult and rough terrain.  Hills to be placed.

The Royalist Fortified Camp is merely an obstacle for this scenario.  Troops cannot attack it and nor can the defenders influence the battle in any way.  If necessary for deployment Royalists can deploy 1 unit in the box and will automatically move out one box when there is space no card required.  Parliamentarian Camp is as per rules.

First game of my new kickstarter. Bruce and his cunning fox clan led from an early strong start. However Mikes dragonfly clan stole victory in the final turn. Philip slow witted turtles came last and DARRYL and Alex were third and fourth.

Long time, no post. Some catching up to do. Here are some photos from my game of sword and spear fantasy. Have played the historical rules several times, the new fantasy rules add a few more things. Troop characteristics, new. Troops like monsters, beasts and heroes. Magic users and spells of course. Lots to remember and the healing and. Boost spells really do have an important effect on the game.

The scenario I tried was a river crossing, breakout battle. They orc army is being pursued by the men of Rohan carts loaded with loot when they reach the fords and bridge across the Anduin. The elves are holding all the crossing points, a joint force of Mirkwood elves plus the house of Elrond from Rivendell.

A troublesome group of dwarves have chosen this moment of battle as a useful distraction the break out of the elven halls in some barrels and are racing down the mountain rapids only to find themselves caught in between the two opposing forces as the orcs close.

The battle started with orcs advancing slowly. As they crossed through the deep water the Uruk hai found the going difficult and could not break through. However healthcare no from the shaman and support of the general allowed them to keep on fighting against the elven melee capable archers holding the banks. The trolls however did break through but were struck in the flank by the Rivendell knights in reserve and routed.

The giant trolls and troll infantry forced their way across the bridge and ford. However when the eagles attacked and destroyed the baggage train the whole army began to lose heart. With the orc captain on the left flank lost and the attack losing momentum the elves were able to hold the crossings before nightfall and the war horns of the rohirrim closing in panic set in amongst the orcs who scattered grabbing whatever loot they could for themselves.

Sadly no Mike or Alex this week. However Bruce, Darryl and Phil managed to get together to introduce Bruce to the wonders of Gloomhaven. He soon had it sorted out taking on the Scoundrel and joining Phil Spellweaver and Darryl Mindthief on a side quest. Slightly out of sync with the campaign as it turned out they hired the scoundrel to help them loot some chests containing bite root from the vibrant grotto in order to supply an enchanter back in Gloomhaven in return for some valuable scrying . Any way it was lots of fun and with the Spellweaver on the verge of exhaustion with Mindthief close behind they managed to loot the final chest having dealt reasonably well with the monsters. The Spellweaver having chosen some heals had less attack power but was able to keep the scoundrel in the front line. Was interesting to see how well it scales for three. Another great game which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Another game of the second game of pandemic legacy. Dispatcher, quarantine specialist, medic and scientist. We played two games. Quick too. I think February and March. First game was okay but a bit of a shock when you know who appeared. Then in the second game they took over a lot of black and spilled over into blue which we had chosen to make easier to treat so somewhat frustrating there. A tense game and with a big explosion in red it looked to be all over but eradicating yellow on medics turn and with all three cured it was all over with a victory. Interestingly no love from this team for the ops guy and the military buildings yet. Worse to come though!

A second game of pandemic legacy. This time scientist, researcher, dispatcher and medic played through January. Coda was black. Managed a victory through some clever use of the dispatcher. Next February and fewer funded events will make it harder. Upgraded the medic with local connections for treating adjacent.