This week we tried out a new set of rules for small scale 17th Century battles called 'In Deo Veritas' (available from the Helion Wargames range of rules). The rules come complete with a few scenario's and even more available on line. For our first game we went with one of the smaller on-line scenario's from the ECW, 'The Battle of Bolden Hill' of 1644. Basically the Royalists commanded by William Cavendish, the Marquis of Newcastle have to prevent the Scottish Covenanters led by Alexander Leslie, the Earl of Leven from raiding south.
Happily we have lots of 6mm ECW units (from Irregular Miniatures) between the three of us so making up the two forces was easy. Our figures are even based up in almost the right sized bases. My hope is that these rules live up to their title as exciting and fast play and that we can eventually get loads of units on the table. There is even a scenario for Marston Moor which has to be a target game to play.
Deployment see's both forces set up on the opposite side of a small valley. Order of play is decided by drawing leader cards (also available on line with each scenario). We also used the cards to decide who would lead each wing of the two sides with Ian and myself being the Scots against Phil taking command of the Royalists.
The Scottish Covenant forces deploy
With the Royalists lining the hill opposite.
Needing to get my forces off the road I advanced quickly to face Phil's infantry tucked behind the walls outlining the enclosures.
The first couple of turns were fairly slow as the others picked up the sequence of the game.
Ian also pushed his cavalry wing forward.
My attack on Phil's infantry stalled as Phil made good use of the cover to hold my forces at bay.
On the right Phil caught Ian out by moving off the hill and attacking with his cavalry. This proved to be a decisive move as after a few turns of frantic melee Ian's wing broke and routed. This led to a General Will test on our whole force and with one of my raw Scottish brigades having also broken and a poor dice throw we were forced to retire from the field leaving behind a happy and victorious Royalist force led by Phil.
So what did we think of the rules? Well there is much good and once you get used to the relatively simple mechanics the game does flow quickly. The simple mechanics are supported by quite a few charts and lots of + and - factors which you need to get used to but we were certainly picking them up and getting used to them as we played.
We had a few queries as we cannot find an evade rule (Ian's Dragoons were charged by Cavalry and wanted to run away but couldn't as far as we can tell?) and we would have liked our cavalry units to be able to counter charge each other but the turn sequence being dictated by cards seem to not allow this. Both are issues that can easily be 'house ruled' but I will have another read through the rules to see if I have missed anything.
Overall In Deo Veritas seem a fun and fast moving set of rules very suitable for large battles with small scale figures. Once I have moved house we hope to try an even larger battle on a bigger table and maybe build up to doing Marston Moor. Between us we do have about 50 infantry units and loads of cavalry so should be fun.
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