First game of Billhooks Delux.

 So for our first game of the newly updated Never Mind the Billhooks rules, 'Never Mind the Billhooks Deluxe' we continued our series of imaginary local battles with the Battle of Austwick. 

The Battle of Austwick.

Following their recent heavy defeat the local Yorkist command sent for help to the Earl of Threshfield. Quickly assembling (his newly painted) forces the Earl (Nigel) force marched his troops from Wharfedale over into Ribblesdale and onto the small hamlet of Austwick. Here, in the fields just outside Austwick the two sides would clash once again but would all the different factions arrive in time for the battle?

Each side must divide their forces up into their different wards and then throw a d6 to see if each ward has arrived on time. Any Ward that throws a 1 or a 2 may not deploy ready for turn 1. On the second turn they must dice again and if they throw a 1 they fail to arrive for the start of turn 2. On turn 3, any Wards yet to deploy arrive on the relevant table edge and their leader cards are shuffled into the PlayDeck.

Below is my Lancastrian force, the Yorkist's led by the Earl of Threshfield (Nigel) were split between Nigel and Ian. The dice decided that Lady Jayne Stackhouse (Yorkist) and Sir James of Catterall (Lancastrian) were both delayed but did arrive for the start of turn two, otherwise, all other Wards deployed as usual. 

Lancastrians

Earl of Lawkland (mtd). Class 3 Hero/ldr

Sir Henry Kettlesbeck (foot). Class 2 Commander.ldr (+5pts)

Sir James of Catteral Hall. Class 2 Commander. Ldr (+5pts)

Sir Harry Stainforth Class 1, Dolt (+5pts)

Type	pts	Move	Shoot	Melee D6	Save	Notes
Mtd Knight	3/24	8/12”		2	4+	Save is 3+ in melee
Light Horse	1.5/12	10/14”		2	5+	Save is 3+ in melee
1x Men-at-Arms Veteran	2/30	6”		1.5	3+	Save is 4+ if hit by x-bow or handgun
3x Bill	1/36	6”		1	4+
3x Archers Inc one Veteran unit	1/39	6”	9S/15L”	.5	5+	May shoot twice a turn. Hit, 5+ at short, 6 at long
Skirmishers Bow	1/6	8”	0-12”	.5	5+	Hit 5+
2x Gun + 3 crew	9/18	4”	0-30”	.5	5+	Crew x 2 when shooting, hit on a 6, all hits kill. Three or more 1's and gun blows up.
Total	165

Turn 1, the armies deploy in a set piece battle just outside Austwick. 

The Lancastrian light cavalry enjoyed the Manouevre phase by catching the Yorkist skirmishers as they tried to hide in the woods.

However, the other unit of Yorkist Skirmishers were a real nuisance on my left flank. 

A steady advance by the Lancastrian forces on the left, although the Light cavalry had regrouped to escape being shot to pieces.

My skirmishers occupied the woods on the right and were quite effective against the Yorkist foot. 

The massed longbows of the Earl of Threshfield's centre. 

The Earl of Threshfield hides behind his rulebook as the Lancastrian light cavalry come raiding again. 

The Bonus deck had quite an impact on today's game. 

Using the Forfeit card on the Yorkist foot allowing my Light Cavalry to charge into them. 

Sir James of Catteral Hall (Lancastrian) finally gets his artillery into action. 

Sneaky Yorkist foot lure the Earl of Lawkland and his knights into charging into a ditch. 

Nigel and Ian found this 'Special Event Card' particularly amusing. 

With the game finally balanced one of the Lancastrian artillery pieces blew up. 

...as did the other one with the very next dice throw, Nigel and Ian also found this to be very amusing. A few short and bloody rounds of melee later and the Lancastrian forces lost their last Morale token whilst the Yorkists still had one left, thus a very narrow victory to the Yorkists (Nigel's new troops escaping the curse of the newly painted figures). This was a really close game that we all enjoyed. Another game is planned for next week so that my Lancastrians can get their revenge.  

Comparing this game using the new rulebook with our previous games we all agree that the new Deluxe Billhooks tidies the rules up and makes it a slicker game. The new rulebook is a beautifully produced piece of work that certainly improves the game and is a joy to read.