When Rivers Run Red, a 10mm game of Fantastic Battles

 It is just over a year since I got my copy of Fantastic Battles. So far I have played two solo games and a game a few weeks ago with Ian and Phil and I am really impressed. The rules are well written and produce a quick moving game. You can also design any fantasy army you wish as there is a clear set of guidelines/stat lines and an easy to follow points system. 

Chris is my main gaming buddy for fantasy battles so I was delighted when I was able to 'encourage' him to get a copy of the rules. Sadly as Chris lives over an hour away we don't get to game as often as we would like, He was supposed to be popping up for todays game but sadly personal reasons prevented him from coming and sampling the delights of a game of Fantastic Battles but hopefully we will manage this soon.  

 Ian and Phil came along though so it was going to be a 3 player game, a straightforward encounter battle between an Elf/Dwarf alliance and a Barbarian Horde . I always like to have some back story so here is today's story. 

When Rivers Run Red

 a Fantastic Battles 1,000 points per side encounter battle.

Recorded in the 'Red Book of Alsof' is the following passage...

“It was during that troubled time that the great dwarf hero Amflodi the Tall (so called because he was so tall his beard did not reach the floor) came down from the mountains with his warriors to aid the elves of Galgoen in the fight against the might of the barbarian hordes.

Here by the banks of the Greenspyke River did the force of elves and dwarves give battle to the barbarian host.”

It was randomly decided that I would take on the role of the Barbarians and Ian and Phil would be in control of the Elves and Dwarves. Having carefully deployed my troops in neat lines the 'mishaps' stage completely disrupted this and split my forces all over the place, certainly the worst mishap rolls I have ever seen. By contrast the elf/dwarf force only suffered the loss of a dwarf archer unit. 

Look at the neat barbarian lines on the right.

and now look how disrupted we have become. 

My right wing never fully recovered control of the troops on that side. 

Once the battle proper began the barbarians went for a rapid advance, the elf/dwarf troops were more defensive. Their shooting was certainly effective taking out the Barbarian war Mammoth with one round of shooting! (Look at that dice throw!). 

Once the two forces got into melee the elf/dwarf units managed to maintain the upper hand and the centre became blocked preventing my two main units of Barbarian Warriors from getting into the fray. The elf knights and the dwarf shieldwall units were very tough to fight and they gradually defeated my cavalry and ogre units over about 3 turns. The barbarian berserkers were not very effective and so my casualties mounted until my breaking point of 50% of companies defeated was reached. 

Even when my ogres managed to defeat the enemy treeman he fell on my troops injuring them! 

So  a well deserved victory to the elf and dwarf alliance. The river certainly ran red with blood, unfortunately it was from my troops. We all enjoyed the game, Fantastic Battles is a great set of rules which always give a good game. 

Here is a shot of the victorious elf and dwarf generals celebrating...

I am far to polite to post my response!

Latest painting projects

 If anyone ever needed proof of my butterfly approach to wargaming here it is; my latest batches of completed painting. First up I have finished a second unit of 15mm British Napoleonics (Essex Miniatures). Essex produce a really nice range of sturdy yet well detailed figures and I am really pleased with how well they are painting up. Based for 'General D'Armee' rules. 

One of my targets at the start of this year was to expand my range of 15mm WW2 British and once I finally got round to painting these they did not take too long and they just about double in size my British force. It was also good therapy to quickly drybrush a couple of tanks in between all that detail on the Napoleonics. I have enough British and Germans done now to put on a decent sized game of either Bolt Action or Rapid Fire in 15mm. 

Last project was to quickly rebase some 10mm Copplestone Fantasy figures to suit the Fantastic Battles rules. We have a game of these rules planned for this coming week and we needed more bad guys, so here they are (about their 3rd rebase at least!). Fantastic Battles is a great set of rules and i will be expanding several armies for these rules. 

I also made some 28mm archer stakes for my Never Mind the Billhooks force and I am not that far away from completing my first unit of 15mm Vikings (photo's soon). 15mm Dark Ages is going to be a big project that will keep me happily painting for years. Finally I have made a tentative start on a dwarvish house in 28mm for the current 'Second International Townscape Challenge'- more details soon when I have made better progress.  

6MM Napoleonics with Polemos rules

 In today's game we tried a sample game of Polemos Napoleonic 'General de Division' using Phil's large collection of 6mm figures. He has a real mix of Irregular, Baccus, Heroics and Ros and the newer, rather nice Grumbler miniatures. We set up a small encounter battle using the army selectors, this was quite quick and easy. The Tempo turn sequence is fun and quite easy to follow once you get used to it. However our game unravelled into stuttering confusion trying to work out the Attack Sequence, even with four of us trying to figure things out. We made some progress but at just over 20 pages, Polemos is quite a short set of rules but it perhaps does need greater clarification although that could double the length of the book. 

I do feel that this ruleset has great promise to get lots of 6mm units on the table so I have joined the Baccus Forum and a Facebook page where I have found some clarification notes. I am off to read them now as I really would like to gain an understanding of these rules. 

Back to Billhooks - The Battle of Rathmell Bottoms.

 For this weeks game we returned to playing another fictitious battle of 'Never Mind the Billhooks' set loosely in our local area. For this game the local Yorkists under the command of the Duke of Eldroth ( Phil aided by me ) were deployed just outside Rathmell waiting for the advancing Lancastrians under the Earl of Lawkland (Ian).  The Earl had to quickly deploy his troops along the Rathmell road with the River Ribble at his back. This area of land is always quite boggy so a few areas of marsh were placed mid table to make advancing more difficult; (this marshy theme was inspired by my daughter trying to get to work when some local roads were flooded the other morning). 

There was just over 160 points per side with 4x commands each. We were also trying out the veteran and levy rules for the first time. Otherwise, it was just a basic encounter battle. 

So Ian (Lancastrians) deployed his troops with a gap in the middle 

We (the Yorkists) went for a more connected line.

My Knights were keen to get into the action today as the last two games they just sat and watched. 

Ian sent forward his light cavalry (slowly) through the woods. 

The Yorkist plan was to protect the left flank with their Shire Levy but the Lancastrian Light Cavalry was looking threatening. 

This was going to be a vital moment in the battle. Thankfully Phil managed to repulse the light cavalry and secure the field, thus protecting our left flank. 

As my knights advance the Lancastrian artillery took shot and inflicted three wounds, ouch! 

Big clash in the middle that got very complex...

... Ian's (Lancastrian) Men-at -Arms gradually ground out victory over the enemy. 

Here are the victorious Lancastrian Men-at Arms duffing up some enemy billmen. 

It was around this moment that we ran out of time. Of the units remaining most were heavily damaged but the Lancastrian's seemed to have the least damaged units plus the only unit of longbow men with ammo left. Thus a hard won victory  was declared in favour of the Lancastrians. Funnily enough after a couple of turns or so Ian had looked to be in trouble so he really turned the game around. This was a really cracking game and we really seem to be getting a hold of the rules now. 

Earlier this year myself, Mister C and Merjin took part in a friendly medieval building project based on the Warhammer Townscape buildings. My building (a bakery) was aimed for use with Billhooks but also fantasy games. 

Merjin had already built most of the townscape so he created a ruined tower whilst Mister C produced a rather amazing Inn, a real centre piece for any gaming table. 

(tower in progress) https://another-wargaming-blog.blogspot.com/ 

(and a stunning Inn). https://periodicpainting.blogspot.com/

So now we have decided to have another go but with a slight twist. The challenge this time is to create a building for a non -human race such as elf, dwarf or goblin etc...I have elected to create a dwarf abode for my Oathmark dwarves and will record my progress on here. 

Chris (Mister C) has  very kindly put the details together below, and remember this is for fun with the main aim being to create a great piece of terrain for your own gaming table. If anyone fancies taking part please get in touch (and blog your progress). 

THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL TOWNSCAPE CHALLENGE – BEYOND HUMAN

AIM

To build a Warhammer model in the style of the Townscape appropriate for a non-human race.

RULES (more sort of guidelines really)

The building may be based on one of the Warhammer Townscape models or may be designed from scratch, providing it fits in with the Townscape style.

Other sources may be used (e.g. the 4^th edition scenario packs, Grudge of Drong etc).

You have until the end of December 2021 to complete the model.

You must post one blog post before the end of November demonstrating progress. Otherwise blog your progress however often you feel appropriate and link to each other’s blogs.

The challenge is designed to inspire and encourage. There is no prize apart from the congratulations of your peers, both in the challenge and on our blogs and as many pats on the back (self-administered) as is deemed appropriate.

GOOD LUCK

FIASCO wargames show October, 31st 2021

 I had a wonderful day out at the FIASCO wargames show at the Royal Armouries in Leeds today. This was a very well organised event (apart from the contactless payment catering which caused a few problems for hungry and thirsty folk). It was great to be back at a wargame show, having travelled down with the lads from the SaD (Settle and District) Wargames club (Howard, Ian and Phil), I also had chance to meet up with other friends including Chris (who I have been gaming with for nearly 40 years now) and Nigel. 

There was a good mix of traders allowing me to buy a varied bag of goodies to keep me busy on a range of projects at home - I also did a restock on paints and brushes. 

 There were also some excellent looking display and participation games so I took a few photo's.

Great Viking Raid game using Warhammer Ancient battles from Durham Wargames Club. 

Never Mind the Billhooks, the Battle of Stoke Field

Italian Wars from the Harrogate Wargames Club (I think).

All in all, a great day out!

Border Raid; 10mm Romans take on the Ancient British Tribes using Hail Caesar.

 Set up and planning for today's game was quite simple, I used the 'Border Raid' scenario direct from the main rulebook (p128), making copies of the Roman and Britons brief's for the players. Due to the varying Roman deployments and with most of the British troops not deployed until they are spotted or move I decided it would be best if I was one of the British players. Fate then decided that Ian would play General Bagotrix (we had two commands each). That left Howard and Phil in charge of the Romans. 

This first photo shows the Romans advancing onto the table in search of the British tribesmen.

The British Herdsman spotted the Romans and ran to raise the alarm, only to then fail his command throws for 3 turns in a row resulting him being overrun by the Romans. Happily the sentries were able to spot the rapidly advancing Romans and lit the beacon to raise the tribes. My main command under Catubatrenus entered the table in the top corner on turn 4...

 ...but the village (bottom left) had been set to the torch by Roman General Marcus Spandex (Howard), see the photo below. 

Today really proved to be Howards day as leaving the village his troops surged forward to meet Ian's main command, Bagotrix and his men. I don't think Howard has ever thrown so many 6's as his legions were able to withstand the wild charge of Ian's British warriors and over 3 turns beat them in the melee and wounding first Bagotrix and then the Druid Alibongo who had rushed his fanatics forward to help. Howard gradually ground all of Ian's troops including the fanatics to breakpoint (that was two broken divisions out of 4 but with the villagers already gone that made 3 broken divisions = defeat).  

On the other side of the table Phil had taken quite a few turns to get his cavalry command moving and my Warband were equally reluctant to advance. When his cavalry finally did clash with my chariots we fought each other to a standstill on the large hill whilst my Warbands were still being reluctant to move forward (see bottom right of photo above). 

The Romans had managed to advance, destroy the first village, capture the roaming cattle and then destroy 3 out of 4 of the British commands. My troops then opted to withdraw. Game over with a resounding Roman victory. We are really enjoying our games of Hail Caesar which seem to be becoming our Ancients rules of choice. 

The Battle of Unicorn Tower, a 10mm game of Fantastic Battles.

 It is only around 11 months since I purchased my copy of the Fantastic Battles rulebook. Having really liked the rules and enjoyed a couple of solo games I am so happy that today I finally got to play a game with other real people. We were using my 10mm Elf and Barbarian armies although both Ian (humans and nature) and Phil (orcs and goblins) do have 15mm armies they are painting up ready for these rules. Happily I have my 15mm Delvians (or Fey as I prefer to call them) and have made a tentative start on creating a 15mm Viking/Northlander army with Copplestone Casting and Forged in Battle miniatures. 

A few Copplestone figures rebased for Fantastic Battles

The idea behind todays game was a simple encounter between two forces of just over 850 points. To add a bit more fantasy flavour I used the rules for 'settlements' on p21 of the rules for any unit/character who was brave (or daft) enough to explore the ruins of Unicorn Tower. The tower I built some years ago and suits both 10mm and 15mm figures. 

I took a couple of photo's of the army characters exploring Unicorn Tower before the battle began. The barbarian war mammoth also posed for a photo in which, if you look carefully, you can see the unicorn that gives the tower it's name. 

So how did the game play? We loved it! We randomly decided that Ian and I would play the Elves whilst Phil would be the Barbarians. Having deployed in fairly neat lines the 'Mishaps' phase played havoc with that as my elf mounted scouts charged forwards only to be met by the barbarian scouts who had to do the same. This action dominated the left flank with neither side able to get the upper hand for some time although Phil made very good use of his 'curse' spell. Elsewhere, on the right flank the Barbarians were able to get a character into the Unicorn Tower and opted to 'Consult the Priests'. Sadly for them they only scored a '3' which proved to be of not much use. Elf archery was good and finally prompted the barbarians forward. Here the Elf mage used her 'Blink' spell to good effect, blinking friends into melee and enemy units out of melee. In the centre my Elf Knights bravely charged into the War Mammoth which was then supported by the Barbarian archer unit.

 At this point something crucial happened. During the melee's four out of five Barbarian characters fell in battle. This quickly put a stranglehold on barbarian movement with only one character left to guide them. The two big melee's continued but the elves won them both taking the Barbarians to their break point.  

Elf mounted scouts surged forward into all sorts of trouble in the 'mishaps' phase.

The barbarians claim Unicorn Tower

The elves fight back with all sorts of units hurling themselves into the fray by normal movement and by magic using the 'Blink' spell. 

All three players really enjoyed the game and in particular how careful you have to be with deploying characters with units to ensure you can move as you wish. We all made leadership mistakes leading to lots of random moves which often foiled our plans. Both Blink and Curse proved to be very powerful spells and certainly added to the story of the game. We probably got one or two things a little wrong but a careful re-read of the rules will help put us straight. Phil has already bought a copy of the rules and now Ian says he is going to get a copy too.  When we next play it will hopefully be in 15mm with my Fey taking a starring role.