day 18 - rorke's drift

At my local wargaming club the guys had brought along this fab game of rorke's drift

Its fought on this map with the british in the compound, I found the rules very simple to pick up and i'd definatly recommend it as a game. the shooting was simple movement was simple everything seemd to be... including killing zulus! and they seemed to make little progress only killing one of my stands for the tonnes of theirs. fortunatly zulus can recycle! (not like wombles, but more like tyranids, when you kill them they come back. be ammusing if wombles were like that!) 

day 15 - Immortal miniatures hoplites review

Contents	36 figures
Poses	5 poses
Material	Plastic (Hard Consistency)
Colours	Grey

Average Height

28 mm

Frame: http://www.immortalminiatures.com/page68.html

Review

Ratings (44/50)

Historical Accuracy	10
Pose Quality	9
Pose Number	6
Sculpting	9
Mould	10

day 13 - Dwarves vs Easterlings

 My 600pt easterling army at my local games workshop ready for a wenedesday LOTR gaming night

 The Eastrlings and troll advance up the gulley towards the Dwarves (store army), flankd by the khandish horsemen. on the left the horsemen were un horsed and joind the easterling battleline but their king continued into the dwarves on the hill

The dwarves wrap around the easterling flanks, splitting the king off, while the khandish horsemen charge into the khazad guard.

In the end the Troll and Easterlings wripped apart the vault wardens whilst the king continued battering the dwarves on the hill and did survive till the end. But the easterlings still, lost taking serveer casualties.

day 9 - Killteam shoot out rules

Killteam shoot out is exactly like normal killteam except that you can have up to 300pts and the game is much more brutal and quick.
It represents a gun fight where, for whatever reason (A canyon is in the way, the enemy may have the plague, the air is too thick with bolts etc), niether side can engage.

The first two turns are played using the night fighting rules (this can represent a grudge fight after a midnight murder or the fact that the warriors are muddled and take time to adjust to the enemies positions)

Every model must be deployed with their base touching cover (fearless models and models with feel no pain do not have to). In the player's turn D3 models may move (roll each turn).

In the shoot phase all the models may shoot. Each model may fire their gun off D3 times (example: a splinter cannon that rolled a 5 and did not move may fire 18 shots, but must roll 6 dice three times). If a model kills another before they have run out of shots they may sweep their gun into the nearest enemy model to their last target (If they do this they must subtract 1 from their D3 result, meaning that a model may only do this action if they scored a 3 on the D3).  models count as having line of sight if any part of them is showing from behind cover (including the base). A model that shoots recieves -1 cover save on the D6 roll of a 3+ (automatically if they sweeped)

First you roll to hit, then cover saves are taken, then you roll to wound and finally armour/invulnerable saves are taken

Cover saves:
how much of the enemy is visible?
just base or tip of equipment - 1+ cover save
minimal possible - 2+ cover save
1/4 - 3+
1/2 - 4+
3/4 - 5+
hardly anything - 6+

day 7 - Boudicca's last battle

Brutus Thracus Sagitarus was born in Scythia, he was a Sarmatian who had settled in the roman empire. He had signed up as an Auxiliary, and had risen through the ranks, but now he had just been promoted from Centurion of the Marines stationed in Britain to one of the Decurion's in charge of the Auxiliaries. Under his command were the red shields from Dacia, the Green shields from Thrace, the blue shields from Palmyra and the marines. He drew his men up along the flanks with Centurion Haddius of the XIVth legion in the centre with the XXth.

Then they saw the Britons. And a hail of sling shots came whizzing towards them, taking a few Auxiliaries down. "I'm sorry Gaius, but I must get to my Marines", and with that Brutus rushed  from Gaius Governor of Britain and the Bearer of the Eagle to the Right flank.

The battle was fought at Verulamium Museum. It was a participation event but there was only one busy point the rest of the time it was just a few of us. I was joined by the guys from Black wolf wargaming and a couple of re-enactors from the XIVth legion. Myself and the Re-enactors fought on the side of the Romans and the Guys from Black wolf gaming were shared equally between.

Rules: Warhammer Ancient battles, 1^st edition

Models: 1^st corps and Gripping beast (and some that must have been warlord)

Objectives: the Romans won if they were still holding the line in 4 hrs, the Celts won if the Romans weren’t 

The Roman army was made up of: Gaius Sutonius Paulinus Governor of Britain, The eagle bearer, The XIVth legion (3 units of 15 Legionaries, 8 Auxiliary archers), The XXth legion (15 Veteran Legionaries, 15 Legionaries, 4 Auxiliary archers),  Right flank Auxila (2 units of 15 Auxiliaries, 15 Marines, 10 auxiliary cavalry), Left flank Auxila (2 units of 18 auxiliaries, 10 Auxiliary cavalry) and the Praetorian guard (20 Praetorian guard) 

The British Army was made up of:  Boudicca in Chariot, 2 Chieftains, 2 Druids, 18 warbands of 32 warriors, 18 slingers, 5 units of 10 cavalry and 8 chariots

A Celtic warband of 32 warriors and a chieftain crashes into the Blue shield Auxiliaries and XXth legionaries, watched over by Boudicca. They suffer five Casualties Killing only two auxiliaries, and as expected they bolt.

The Green shields and Red shields on the left flank hurl their Pilum's at the advancing Celts killing four, and they too bolt into their own ranks

The Britons cause carnage in their ranks as many push through others who in tern start to run, soon Boudicca stand defiantly looking at the Romans surrounded by fleeing warriors.

The Roman Battle line waits for the next assault.

The Britons on the right flank advance towards the marines (blue shield with white triremes on top) closely watched by Boudicca at their rear.

A fresh Celtic Warband hurtles into the Marines and green shields on the Right flank, taking three casualties from a hail of Roman Pilums. They then kill three of the Marines before taking another three casualties in Return, but surprisingly they hold.

The depleted Celtic Warbands rally in the front ranks, not what the Britons were hoping for as, this kept fresh warbands out of the fight.

The First unit that charges continues to flee, there chieftain at the head. On the Right flank (roman) the Legionaries prepare to attack the Celtic warband if it breaks through the Auxiliaries (the Celts would have to pursue and would be left vulnerable and behind roman lines in the open!)

The Celts continue to smash Brutus' (my) Auxiliaries killing 2 more whilst taking the same number of Casualties.

Brutus' (my) Marines take a battering but keep the Celts at bay with only one rank, neither unit retreats and the slaughter continues.

The Legionaries and red shields find themselves embroiled in combat with  three British warbands and a chieftain, the largest (chieftain's) warband directed at the XXth legion.

The cavalry join the Legionaries in waiting for the Britons to break through.

Gaius Sutonius Paulinus positions himself and the Eagle near the breaking line, to insure they don't fall.

The Celts continue their battering, killing a green shield Auxiliary and taking two casualties.

The Auxiliaries and Marines Break and the Celts Pursue cutting them all down but exposing themselves to the XXth Legionaries and Cavalry.

 The Chieftain and his warband prove to be no match for the veterans of the XXth, and suffering just two casualties they flee, the disapproving Charioteer looking onwards

After that round of combat a lone warband stands definitely facing the roman line, as their comrades bolt for the hills behind them

 The XXth Legionaries rush towards the Britons that broke through the line. The Celts flee but the Romans catch up with them, and brake the unit sending men and limbs in every direction.

 One of the Druids at the back of the Celtic army with the carts.

 The Roman Battle line charges forwards engaging the lone standing Warband.

Many of the Warbands bolt, broken and fleeing as the Romans move their battle line closer engaging those not yet fleeing.

 The last standing warband flees, broken by the Roman might. Roman victory seems almost certain

Boudicca's horses confront the roman Battle line

The Britons flee in terror, leaving the Romans in command of the field

Boudicca looks on in despair.

Roman Victory!

Gaming Overview: many of you may have heard me go on about how great warhammer ancient battles is, but this was in fact my first battle using the rules, and i must say they make for extremely realistic (in some cases) gaming (the fact that a roman emperor could receive 3 attacks is a bit crazy but include 2-3 models as a bodyguard and it makes perfect sense).

day 6 - Rossbach sequel... Leuthen

For the second part of our Campaign we were much more organised, using the same rules (some speedily written rules, loosley based on those by Graham harrison, Junior General and Die Krigsunt, written by my opponent and appropriatly named the seven years war) and the right number of models, it was staged in my games room.

• The Austrian force: Charles of Lorraine, Charles prince de Soubise, 1 regiment of french cavalry, 1 regiment of 75 french infantry, 1 regiment of 75 austrian infantry, 5 regiments of austrian infantry, 6 regiments of Austrian cavalry and 8 austrian cannons

• The Prussian force: prince Henry, princess Wilhelmina, colonel Von Brandenburg, 2 regiments of Hussars, 1 regiment of Dragoons, 1 regiment of Curiassiers, 3 regiments of Musketeers, 6 regiments of Kanitz grenadiers, 3 regiments of Fusiliers, 4 Jaegers and 5 cannons 

Von Brandenburg surveys the Battlefield

The Prussians Advance at Double time, Willhelmina's cavalry advancing on the right flank and Henry's Infantry moving round the marsh towards the town of Leuthen

The Austrians Limber up their guns and advance forwards along the Valley like gap between the town and marsh.

The Cavalry charge down the right flank

The Kanitz grenadiers look stern facedly towards the austrian artillery

Charles of Lorraine waits for the Prussians to come in range of his cannon

The fusiliers and Musketeers advance towards the Leuthen fortifications, with the others preparing for the arrival of the French and the Grenadiers shielding the other troops from the cannon, taking some casualties.

The charge of the Kanitz Grenadiers. An obviously foolish move of Henry's, the Grenadiers prepare to charge the artillery battery head-on

The Hussars fire off their carbines at the artillery taking out a cannon and several crew from the safety of Leuthen

Some of the Austrian cavalry brake through the Curiassiers leaving only one alive and forcing the un armed Wilhelmina to flee on her prized horse. The Dragoons and Hussars exchange shots with the infantry in wich the dragoons un doubhtedly come off worse

Prince Henry settles down to command the battle from Leuthen, his Musketeers advance on the right flank and his Fusiliers settle down to defend his rear. Over on the right flank the Prussian cavalry charge into the Austrian infantry.

The Charge of the Kanitz grenadiers did not fail as expected but (with the hussars help) took out the Artillery battery

The Prussian cavalry cause much damage but loose many men

Charles de Soubise arrives with the french regiments from Rossbach, but where next to attack? the grenadiers who are expecting him or the artillery who will blow them to pieces

Princess Wilhelmina's flank crumbles away to nothing and she flees leaving Henry's musketeers to clean up the cavalry

The Kanitz grenadiers smash their way through the Austrian Right flank, while the von Brandenburg fusiliers turn to prepare for the french charge

Brandenburg observes the Battlefield. The Giant regiment of Austrians had entered Leuthen and captured Henry off his guard (he did take 5 down with him though).

on The right flank three well sized infantry units face off the remainder of the Austrian cavalry (most of the cavalry units actually had only three men left at this stage) and the block of infantry

The Kanitz Grenadiers open fire into the ranks of the Austrian's Killing Charles of Lorraine

The French regiment of Massed infantry advance on the hill, Von Brandeburg bathed in light prepares to make his final stand.

Battle of Leuthen
Part of the Seven Years' War
Date 5 December 1757 Location Leuthen, Prussian Silesia, present-day Poland Result  Austrian Victory
Belligerents
Prussia	Austria
Commanders and leaders
Prince Henry	Charles of Lorraine
Strength
36,000 167 guns	80,000 220 guns
Casualties and losses
36,000 dead 2 escaped 167 guns	72,000 220 guns

Historic review
Many of the Austrians fell and from over 600 models they were left with barely 100. Von Brandenburg and Princess Wilhelmina, both having no weapons fled. But the Jaegers and Artillery stayed behind selling their lives dearly and inflicting many casualties on the Austrians.

The Austrian advance was halted, but the Seven years war would rage on and the Silesian dispute would only be settled by yet more bloody fighting on the part of Frederick the great

Wargaming review
All in all a fun time was had by both parties. The rules definatly nead some brushing up on (I've never been a fan of rolling one dice per unit, one dice per man is much more realistic but so many rules do it) so for now we'll stick to black powder.