Ronin update

I have been busy, off and on, painting the Dixon Miniatures (http://www.dixon-minis.com/) for the game of Ronin. I also managed to find a few figures for villagers or towns people.
I haven't yet given names to the figures or to the bands which they are divided into.
In the game the bands are called Buntai but that is for a band of soldiers. Mine are Ronin bands which I will give suitable names for when I think of them.
Below are pictures of each band with two headmen/lords and the villagers/porters. I have tried to use as many colours to give the widest variety that I can. This included really old Games Workshop (www.games-workshop.com) paints (including rotting flesh for zombies) as well as the new ones the few inks I have left and the shades.. The old paints are over 10 years old so they made them to last in the 'old' days

This last 'Patch' is my favourite figure so far. Full of character and, hopefully, a more than decent leader and fighter. I have tried to balance the bands to give each a more than fighting chance in the struggles to come. Some have similarity of clothing to make it easier to identify bands i.e. basket style hats, rain capes, white stones on the bases and logs. 

I am hoping to find more villagers. I got all these off eBay and have no idea of the manufacturer/s. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

The Buddha is from the local pet store so I have given it an initial colouring of gold with a large ruby any bandit would be pleased to own! 

Today I received the first batch of 4ground (http://www.4ground.co.uk/shogunate-japan) buildings, a rice barn; peasant small holders dwelling and two peasant labourers dwellings. Differing sizes of playing area are advised for different sizes of points used for each game starting at 2'x2', 3'x3' and 4'x4'. I am thinking that I will use 3x2 and 4x3 initially though I have not yet fully decided. These four will do for a small village to fight over. I also want a cross roads as that would be a good place to find victims for a band hiding in the woods. It would give an initial ground to fight over.

The boards could be used for a big battle between Egyptians and Indians I am planning. Lots of bows and chariots sounds good to me!

A problem with Wargames manufacturers

It is a sad day when after ordering something over the internet you find the service wanting without knowing the reason. Recently I have purchased, or had purchased on my behalf, some wargaming items.
After extolling the virtues of Sarris-precision (http://www.sarissa-precision.com/) I asked my son for a fathers day present of the lovely Japanese 28mm range of buildings. Fair enough, he was on holiday for a couple of weeks, so we waited, and waited. An email solicited the response that the items would be posted the next weekend. And so we still wait. I am very disappointed as I looked forward to progressing with the Ronin project.
I suggested to my son that he cancels the order and takes up the issue through his card provider.

On the 14th July I ordered a Hittite army from Rapier Miniatures (http://www.rapierminiatures.co.uk/index.html). I received the confirmation email but since? Nothing. I followed up with two emails of enquiry since and still no reply. I am waiting one more week before raising the issue with PayPal.

lastly, I bought a Neil Thomas book (Napoleonic Wargaming) to add to the collection and see if I enjoyed them as I have the other rules. The seller (on eBay UK) was kind enough to email and say that the book was imperfect and would I like a refund. He did say he was expecting a new delivery at the end of the month. I was happy to wait I informed him. Only, he despatched the book two days later and low and behold an imperfect copy appeared. I took issue with him regarding this and have sent the book back for a refund. Unfortunately, Royal mail have misplaced the 1st class, signed for parcel so I now have to wait to make a claim.

It does make you wonder. After all the years of good service from manufacturers and suppliers that these instances should all come about in the space of 1 month. Disappointment doesn't cover it really.

Please, suppliers of wargames accessories and armies, make plain your postage and despatch  policy. When you would expect to despatch an order is as important as the acknowledgement of the order itself, and if you can't meet the time frame inform the customer as the reason and offer a refund where appropriate.
It is after all the polite customer service we expect.

Greek v Persians (6mm warfare conclusion)

The battle continues with the Greeks confident after chasing away the light cavalry and not suffering from the Persian infantry bow fire as they thought they would.

The Persian light cavalry have evaded to a safe distance, the Greek heavy cavalry resisting the impulse to follow up.



The Persian Heavy cavalry charge the Greeks taking no casualties before contact and inflict little on impact.

Arrows flying from the Persians miss their target more than they find them. But the numbers dwindle, if too slowly, against the Psiloi.

The Persian light cavalry return to inflict casualties on the heavy cavalry.

 The picture as seen from the Persian left flank. The static Persian infantry firing arrow after arrow against the Psiloi whilst the Greek phalanx grinds ever so slowly forward. The Greeks hoping, that their Thracian allies can keep the cavalry from encircling their left flank before they can rout the Persians.

Stalemate on the Greek left flank.

The Psiloi are withdrawn to allow the phalanx an uninterrupted view of the Persians who gladly let loose an arrow storm though not to much effect.
Persian Peltasts are given the order to attack to prevent the Thracians  from turning on the Persian heavy cavalry.

Arial view of the battle as seen from the Persian side.
Hoplites are in charge reach, the heavy cavalry are under great pressure from the Persians. Can the Hoplites rout the infantry before it is too late?

The Hoplites attack but fail to penetrate the shieldwall. (The Persian saving throws saving almost all the casualties?

 The Persians inflict more casualties on the Hoplites.

The Greek heavy cavalry have routed or dispersed and the Persians now manoeuvre on the Greek left flank. The light cavalry with javelins charging the exposed Thracian infantry flank.

The Hoplites are proving ineffectual against the Persian infantry who stand resolute in defence.



 Persian light and heavy cavalry now behind the Greek lines causing mayhem and death.

Thracian infantry collapsing under pressure from Peltasts, light and heavy cavalry. Psiloi taking casualties from the heavy cavalry and the Persian infantry inflicting more casualties than they are receiving. Persian light cavalry assault the Hoplite left flank whilst the heavy cavalry attack them from the rear.

 

 Hoplite casualties are too great and the units start to die.

The end is nigh and the Greeks surrender to the mighty Persians.

I liked this battle immensely. The Greeks had a powerful ally in the Thracians who brought along some quality heavy cavalry and ferocious Peltasts. Who, unfortunately, were massacred after being virtually surrounded. The Psiloi gave a good account of themselves inflicting almost as many casualties on the Persians than the Hoplites did.
The disappointment was the hoplite performance against a static defence of bowmen.
I expected a breakthrough here quite quickly to save the day for the Greeks.

The Persian heavy cavalry made hard work of the Greek heavy cavalry but overcame them in the end. The light cavalry performed well but might not have if the Greek heavy cavalry had followed up to rout them from the field.
Of the Persian infantry the Peltasts were efficient, if seemingly reluctant. Whilst the Persian infantry fought heroically from behind their shields.
If this is the best of the Greeks I'd better ask for earth, water and fire.

Now, how do I build a bridge across the Hellespont?

6mm Greek v Persians

The Persian HC & LC advance, the heavy cavalry letting the lights advance a little further than themselves, and the LC bow fire inflicting no casualties on the Greek cavalry. The LC javelins are still out of range.
The Persian archers take aim at the Greek light infantry and cause little damage (1 point).

The Persian infantry

The Greek Psiloi as seen from the Persian infantry position.

The Greek left wing cavalry unit charge the Persian LC expanding to cover the whole front of the Persians. They take javelin fire as they move to contact and receive a few casualties (2 points). This unit is 1 from losing a base to the skirmishing LC.

The remaining Greek line advances and the bow armed Psiloi cause injury to the Persian infantry (1 point)

The HC, now in contact with the LC, punish the bow armed LC (3 casualties but cause minor injury to the LC javelin (1 point). The LC both retreat the maximum move.

The Persian HC declare the charge on the other Greek HC unit, taking no injury before contact.

The Persian infantry, again, cause little injury to the Psiloi (1 point).

The Persian Peltasts move forward to threaten either the Greek Peltasts or the Psiloi.

Both Persian LC now advance back into range of the Greek HC but the timid firing has no effect.

In the HC clash the Persians get the upper hand (2 points of damage) over the Greeks. Both Greek HC units  are close to losing a base with the Persian forces still intact, though 1 LC unit a little battered.







6mm Greeks v Persians

 I thought it time to get a few Persians on the table to see how they fair under the Ancient and Medieval Wargames Rules by Neil Thomas. Today is the start of a battle a battle between Greeks and Persians.
I am using the TSS (http://totalsystemscenic.com/) 2' tile as the battle field with some wooded low hills and a river. It neatly narrows the battlefield.

These are the starting positions with the Greeks at the top of the picture.

I decided to halve the number of bases used for units as I think 4 is excessive. Really, I think 1 is sufficient which is what I used in the previous games using his Ancient Rules.

The Greeks:-

4 units of Hoplites

2 units of Peltasts

2 units of Psiloi (skirmish infantry)

2 units of Heavy Cavalry

I am using the Thracians as allies here, so could claim it to be on either side of the Hellespont.

The Persians

4 units of Heavy Infantry bow

2 units of Peltasts

2 units of Heavy Cavalry

1 units of Light cavalry javelin

1 unit of Light Cavalry bow

You may notice that the Persian infantry with bow are on double depth and width bases.

I have been using these with DBMM (http://www.wrg.me.uk/WRG.net/index.html) rules and I think it adds to the look of the army. Just my personal opinion, you may have another.

I diced for initiative and the Persians moved first, advancing, the cavalry moving in ahead of the infantry.

The Greeks also advanced but keeping the cavalry in line with the phalanx. Only the Psiloi moving to ahead to engage the Persians. This ended the first moves.



Ronin update

It has been too long since I posted, I know. Life has a habit of getting in the way of the important things, like painting, basing and wargaming.

I have progressed with the Samurai and am looking at buying the buildings. I am not sure whether to go for 4Ground (http://northstarfigures.com/) which are available from North Star Military figures; Sarissa Precision (http://www.sarissa-precision.com/) or Oshiromodelterrain (http://www.oshiromodelterrain.co.uk/index.html), each has its good points. At least 4Ground is painted and that will save time and probably look better!
I  am going to try my hand at some terrain, I need boards containing a crossroad; a village and a temple on which the gangs can fight over.



6mm Persians v Egyptians In deaths Ground

This was a game I tried twice, after misinterpreting the rules during the first game. Easily done when not familiar with rules as I'm sure most of you are aware. The rules in use were 'In death ground' (In death Ground) by Northstar Figures

The scenario is the invasion of Egypt by the Persians. This army, tasked with securing the temple and all it's precious holdings. The Egyptians mean to prevent it, not least because the food it contains can feed the army. 

The Egyptian army as seen from the Persian lines.

The precious temple, actually a 25mm tomb by Monolith Designs (monolithdesigns), with all its gold, by the tributary of the Nile. The sphinx are also by the same manufacturer. 

Incidentally, I bought these when I used to game Epic 40K by Games Workshop. Having all the armies in 6mm I bought these as buildings for the Chaos god Tzeentch, as a temple for a chaos cult.The game has been through various incarnations since then with Epic Armageddon and Epic Titanicus. It may, or may not, be re-released this year. I sold all of my epic gaming figures and scenery a few years ago but kept these as I thought they may be useful.

A view of both armies

The right wing of the Persian army contacted by the chariots

View from the Egyptian right wing

A good view of the Scythian cavalry and Egyptian chariots.

The lines are closing

The armies engaged in protracted bow fire.

In each battle the Persians came out losing. Could it have been because I didn't field the Immortals? I'm not sure. It could have been because the Egyptian spearmen were better in melee.

Next time.....

Thank you for looking in.

One Hour Wargame with Sassanids and Late Romans

I thought it time to field part of the Sassanian army which I hadn't yet gamed with, and the Late Roman with a small force of each as I expand the OHW rules by adding a couple of rules

Because the heavier cavalry in both these armies had the kontos I decided to give a +1 in the first round of combat to the charging unit, a sort of simulation of the impact they would have initially on contact.
Secondly I gave the skirmish cavalry (light horse, bow/javelin armed light cavalry) a break off rule to give them an opportunity to evade or skirmish from a distance.
More on this later.

The scenario is that the Sassanids are looking to exit Roman territory after an successful marauding campaign.
The aim of the game then, was for the Sassanians to exit 4 units from the table at the Roman end of the table.

The Sassanid army:-
4 x Clibanari (These are heavy cavalry with frontal armour on the horse and armoured rider)
2 Light horse/cavalry with bow.

The Late Romans, in contrast, fielded the following:-
2 x Auxiliaries (Shield and spear armed heavy infantry)
2 x Heavy Cavalry (These with no horse armour making them lighter than the Clibanari)
2 x Clibanari

The Romans were chosen by dicing as in the rule book. The option for all cavalry armies is not an option so I had to choose a force I thought suited the occasion.

The battle field was restricted by the lake and woods so the Sassanids wouldn't ride around the Romans. The Romans chose their terrain well.

Upon deployment you will notice that I changed the position of the auxiliaries to the Roman left flank, being a more suitable position anchoring on the flank on the lake.

The Sassanids, wanting to force the issue before Roman reinforcements arrived advance the light cavalry, who shoot to no visible effect.

The Roman heavy cavalry charge the light cavalry but fall short.

The Sassanid light cavalry evade back and the Clibanari charge. The evading light cavalry shooting causing 1 casualty. The right wing light cavalry shoot at the auxiliaries causing no casualties. Both the infantry and cavalry are classed as armoured.

The Roman heavy cavalry hold position to prevent the light cavalry coming back.
The battle line inflict low casualties on the Sassanid's.

The Sassanid's light cavalry keep up a stream of bow fire at both the cavalry and left most auxiliary cohort causing minor casualties (1 or 2 casualties)
The general melee also caused only minor casualties.

The Roman line held and caused a similar number of casualties in reply

The Sassanids kept up the pressure with the Roman heavy cavalry now having lost a 1/3 of their unit. It was similar along the Roman battle line, but the Romans gave slightly better in return than they received. The right wing heavy cavalry decided to charge the light  horse archers and made contact mauling the light horse.

The Sassanids were not having much luck, causing lower casualties than the Romans in each combat. The light cavalry inflicting unchallenged loss on the auxiliaries who kept their position on the Roman left wing and the other light cavalry inflicting losses on the heavy cavalry being the exceptions.

The battle swung slightly to the Sassanids and the light cavalry even mixed it with the Roman heavy cavalry until they were forced to evade by heavy casualties. They inflicted further losses as they went.

Tiring, both armies inflicted lower casualties until the Roman heavy cavalry caught the horse archers and made them flee the field.



This was followed by the right wing Clibanari forcing the auxiliaries to retreat due to casualties. The Clibanari next to them also suffered at the hands of the enemy general and his unit of Clibanari.

 The last auxiliary unit  could take no more and left the field having stood all day under the bow fire of the skirmishing light horse.
The end, though was in sight when the Sassanid general was defeated by the resilient heavy cavalry of the Roman right wing.
Three units being lost the Saassanid's conceded the field and looked for another route home.

The armies were closely matched considering the Romans seemed more lightly equipped and had the disadvantage of having infantry. The Salute ( a die I got attending the Salute wargames show many years ago) die I was using didn't live up to the job, rolling low on all but a couple of occasions.

The evade rule.
The majority of rules allow light horse/skirmishing cavalry to evade away from threatening circumstances. In these rules it doesn't allow it. I had to choose whether I allowed the skirmishers to effectively move when it was not their turn, which I didn't, or allowing the Romans to catch them.
I can't see a way round this without changing this rule.

It was an enjoyable game despite the Sassanids losing and low die rolls.