Shadow of the Eagles - a proper play with 1813 Prussians vs French

Game today with Stephen and I chose to try Shadow of the Eagles to see how it fared in face to face play.

And lo and behold as expected a much better game when not solo as too much to juggle for older head when trying to manage 2 sides at once.

I set up table using GDB terrain generation system which worked fine and I chose 1813 Prussians and therefore Stephen had French.

Used the nominal army lists we found (18 pts for French and 19 for Prussians) so I had 21 units and French 18 or so, maybe a bit large for a test but worked fine.

No real scenario just a straight up bash to test rules.

No problems encountered bar a couple of minor queries re Evading skirmishers and Rout Tests and think we managed to test most aspect of rules with possible exception of how assaults on BUA are handled.

Stephen had a more up to date set of updates than I have with main difference being Skirmish Screens are reduced from 2 to 1 fighting dice which is better vis a vis Light Infantry with their 2 whilst in skirmish.

All in all an enjoyable game with a playable system that allows a quick style decisive game which is what it is designed for.

For me a bit bland overall compared to FOB or other sets but a nice alternative for a quick game type.

Zorndorf with Battle Command

My lad was home from England for weekend so managed to get a game in with him over a couple of days.

I set up Zorndorf using old Might & Reason scenario and decided to use Battle Command.

Steven has played FOB with me a couple of times so had decent idea of how game plays and differences easy to teach and pick up.

He did say he preferred the extra options available on reduced cards even at ‘cost’ of extra initiative rolls compared with the much larger FOB decks (not sure he is actually my offspring !). 

Steven took charge of Russians leaving me to emulate Frederick and initially game pretty even as Russians managed to hold their own even when shooting.

He was aggressive advancing all along the line and his superior numbers of cavalry where giving mine a hard time on my right.

Prussian superiority of command helped (especially in Bat Cmd) as I had a D12+1 CinC to his D10 plus better Brigadiers overall.

However this soon changed as boy rolled a host of one’s whilst I rolled high (is it not always the way ?) and Russian morale pool (40) quickly dropped to nothing whilst my Prussians retained most of theirs (losing 17 of 35) and a failed roll on first Army Morale test saw Prussian victorious.

Good game and always great to play with the big lad.

Commands and Colors: Ancients - An end and a beginning again

Finished Metaurus scenario this week with Mike suffering an absolute thrashing with Romans. Just never got going with lack of cards for areas I wanted and Mikes digital dice were awesome.

But now its on to Ilipa 206 BC scenario with our Vassal Campaign

We will remember them

 

Remembrance Garden in Ballyclare just before parade and service (very well attended this year)

Shadow Of The Eagles - a bit more solo play

Another solo session trying SOTE system and a lot more close combats and losses have occurred.

Close Combats are easily resolved if they occur, as often the charge process causes a unit to fall back without actual 'fisticuffs' ensuing.

Having a second line is hugely desirable (if not always possible) and pulling damaged units back to attempt to Rally (Generals very busy with this) is key tactic as any lengthy front line engagement will see units implode.

Squares are very tough for Cavalry (as they should be) although being in Line vs mounted not really an issue (as far as I can tell) as both have same basic fighting dice (2 in column 4 in line) with charging cavalry really only gaining a +1 to hit for a charge and possibly taking hits from defensive fire. 

Really the mounted need to target weakened foot or their flanks which is not unreasonable.

Overall the rules are easily understood and very playable, only real caveat is that there is a bit of 'memory' involved for remembering which units made a significant move (over half etc) as this impacts firing or occasionally which units do or don't benefit from charging bonuses. 

And its been awhile since I played a set that has Skirmish screens for each foot unit but these are easy to implement.

The influence of authors SYW set Honours Of War is evident although artillery in SOTE seems much less potent than in HOW.

Will be interesting to try these in face to face game.

Several units are weakened (yellow counters)

Guns ion either have had surprisingly little effect

Commands and Colors: Ancients - Baecula ends and Metaurus begins (Vassal Campaign)

Just finished Baecula scenario from ongoing Vassal Pbem campaign with Mike and ended with a Roman victory for me.

Also just started next scenario Metaurus 207 BC for hopefully more Roma Victor

Shadow Of The Eagles - solo try, French vs Prussian 1813

Had a solo bash using Shadow Of The Eagles rules (used once before) as a test for possible upcoming game (Stephen and I both keen to try these in anger).

Set up a table using Glory is Fleeting terrain system (any system would suffice) and fielded a French vs Prussian 1813 set of forces in a nominal attack (Prussia) vs defence scenario.

Nothing scientific in OOBs just a mix of foot and cavalry with requisite artillery supports, French do have a Brigade of Young Guard with Prussians having slight (4 units) advantage in numbers.

So far played through 4 or so turns and all pretty smooth despite referring rules a lot (QRS available are decent but not learnt core systems).

Movement is straight forward modified only by a single Inept French Brigadier General and a Superior Prussian type (one of things I kept forgetting to roll for) as is shooting.

Had a couple of melees and again easy to work through as is the Morale system.

As a quick playing minimal preparation style set of rules they seem fine although in a face to face game no doubt issues will arise that I have not discerned.

No points system but should suit scenario play fairly well.

Hoping to give Valour & Fortitude and outing as well.