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.

Awaiting painting/finishing

Almost every wargamer collects figures that they take time to get round to painting. This is what is called the 'lead pile'. I am no exception to this rule.
We see articles in magazines, pictures in books and of course, advertisements that tempt us to part with our readies. Sometimes it is one or two figures other times whole units or armies. It could be that collecting things is a form of Obsessives Compulsive Disorder.
Be that as it may.
My pile was static for a long while as I neither bought nor painted figures, everything was in storage for about 4 years as my personal circumstances were in something of a flux. A few years ago I sorted things out and started renewing my gaming but it was a slow affair. Wargaming had not been the mainstay of my 'me time' for too long. Then last year it exploded into a rabid round of buying new figures (Irregular Miniatures, (http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/)  and painting.
First was the 25mm Sassanian army from Irregular which I had had for a long time. The figures are nicely rendered and look a bit 'rough'. They paint up really well. I am very pleased with how they turned out. Coincidentally, my painting skills seemed to improve when painting these figures. The light cavalry in particular I like.
Then came a succession of the 6mm Irregular ancient armies that I like so much, some of which have pictures on this blog. There were also other armies that I bought to paint and sell to see how well I could do them. Carthaginians in 10mm,

and Greek Hoplites in 10mm. 

Numidians from Irregular in 6mm which I bought on eBay. This was another army I liked painting.

I also had some Games Workshop (http://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Home?_requestid=16063382) Epic armies that I had painted and gamed with for some years. These included the Titan Legions boxed game with lots of Titans and vehicles of mass destruction. These I have now all sold with a few bits and pieces that haven't yet found a buyer.
This has funded my buying, to a degree, of both figures and books. But I still have figures that need painting. Projects long on hold and one or two new ones recently begun.
As pointed out in another posting, the Achaemenid armoured camelry were only completed recently due to finding the right camels for the riders. I have 6mm Napoleonic's, English Civil War and further figures to paint for the 25mm Early Achaemenid Persian army. I also have a few Greek Hoplites to round out the 25mm Greek army. These 25mm are mainly Minifigs (http://www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk/Home.aspx)
Greek Hoplites and Musicians

Greek Light Infantry

Persian Cavalry Officer and Musicians

Various Garrison Persian Infantry

So, lots of things to do to keep me busy. The important thing is that the pile is growing smaller each month if I paint.
That I will buy figures to expand or complete units and armies I have, is something I will be keeping in mind. That I will endeavour to paint more than I purchase is the main priority, especially now that I am actually getting figures on the table more often.

I started a new project that I will keep you informed of from time to time. This was going to be a Samurai army in 6mm. Now, though, it will be 25mm skirmish figures for the game of Ronin by Osprey Wargames (https://ospreypublishing.com/ronin-skirmish-wargames-in-the-age-of-the-samurai). These rules came out over a year ago and I never thought I would do skirmish gaming but have been tempted by the many blogs that do them.
I purchased some 25mm Dixon (http://www.dixon-minis.com/) Ronin figures. The rules state regular Samurai and other special types for the forces with Ronin as additions you can hire. I decided that I would start with 4 Ronin bands and progress from there. The following pictures show the 4 man bands I am starting with and another 2 figures that may become the town/village heads or something. I intend running this as a campaign but it won't be starting anytime soon. I expect it will take around a year to gather the accessories to make it appealing.

I bought the figure pack SCP1, Ronin in various poses, 18 figures in a pack for £19.95 which seems excellent value to me (http://www.dixon-minis.com/shop/samurai-25mm/SCP+1/). You will notice that 3 have an archer and man with a naginata or yari and 2 with katana. That is because I wanted a fair selection for each band. I have yet to buy an archer  for the other band but will do so when the painting of these is complete. You may not notice but those with the rain cape and those in the basket type hat are in the same units. This is because I wanted them to have a type to distinguish them easier.  I will also have to buy the excellent houses, temples and other accessories that I have seen to make a good visual impact to add to the pleasure of the games. I feel this is a must in skirmish games.

I actually started painting the faces on these first, unusual for me as this is not normally what I start on. I do prefer a white undercoat on the figures as it gives a brighter look to the colours. I know some prefer other colours, normally black, but this is not for me. I paint now using Games Workshop paints which I have used for some years. The water based paints are very versatile and with the new range out gives a lot of variations in colour.

It is good to be gaming and painting regularly again.

Hittites v Assyrians 6mm One Hour Wargame

This is the second of the wargames played with the One Hour Wargames, Practical Tabletop Battles for Those with Limited Time and Space., Ancient Rules. It is quick to set up, the rules are easy to use.

The terrain is TSS 1' (Total System Scenic http://totalsystemscenic.com/ ) squares which I have had a long time. It shows a road with another joining it in the bottom left of the picture. The rough patch with trees I classified as a light wood.

The Assyrians are Irregular Miniatures (http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/)
The Hittites I am not so sure about as I bought them on eBay as they were described as Irregular. I kept them as they are either Rapier Miniatures (http://www.rapierminiatures.co.uk/index.html) or Baccus Miniatures(http://www.baccus6mm.com/Home/)

The scenario is similar to seize the high ground, as the hill is the objective. But mainly it is to drive the opposing force from the area.

The Hittites mean to control the road between two cities by building a fortress on a hill near a road junction which happens to be in Assyrian lands.
They send a small force ahead to seize the hill in readiness for a larger force which is following.
The Assyrians get scant warning and muster a force to contest the invasion.

The picture shows the set-up. Hittites at the top of the picture. The hill is to the left and forward of the Assyrians position. A light wood to the right of the Assyrians and a similar one just to the north of the hill. They played no part in the battle due to the small size of the forces.

Dicing for forces:-
Assyrians 6
4 infantry
1 Archer
1 Cavalry (I chose to use Chariots)

Hittites 4
4 Infantry
1 Skirmish (Bow armed)
1 Cavalry (Chariots)

 

 

Turn 1
As the aggressor, the Hittites advanced into the Assyrian domain.
The Assyrians advanced to meet them.

 

As all the units had moved there was no shooting by the bows of both sides.

Turn 2
The Hittites halt to address the lines and allow the skirmishers to shoot their bows.
The dice were thrown to see if the nobles would charge ahead, but they were in control and stayed in line.
Skirmishers v Infantry 6. A total of 2 casualties after the deduction of 2 and divided by 2.

The Assyrian nobles are bolder and charge ahead into the static Hittites.
The foot halt and allow their archers to bend their bows.
Chariots v Chariots 6 casualties
Archers v Infantry 3
A mighty hammer blow to the Hittite nobles  as they reel under the fierce fighting of their enemies spears.

Turn 3
The Hittites are in a quandary, do they hold as planned to allow the skirmishers to inflict more casualties on the infantry? Or advance in case their flank is exposed to the Assyrian chariots who seem invincible?
They hold.
Skirmishers v Infantry 2 casualties
Chariots v Chariots 1 casualty! The shock and awe of Assyria has its effect.

The Assyrians advance to drive the Hittites from the land leaving the archers to shoot their bows.
Archers v Infantry 3 casualties
Chariots v Chariots 1. The Hittites mount a spirited defence.

Turn 4
The Hittites seize their chance and charge the Assyrian foot, the skirmishers holding to inflict more casualties on the infantry facing them.
Skirmishers v Infantry 2 casualties
Infantry v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry v Infantry 3
Chariot v Chariot 5 The Hittite nobles rally and smite their foe!

The Assyrian Infantry charge into the skirmishers and the archers shoot.
Archers v Infantry 1 casualty
Infantry v Skirmishers 1 The skirmishers are too nimble for the burdened infantry to catch.
Infantry v Infantry 3
Infantry v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry 3
Chariots v Chariots 3

Turn 5
The Hittites infantry unit wheels to flank the Assyrian right wing infantry unit.
Combat all along the battle line.
Skirmishers v Infantry 1 casualty
Infantry v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry 1
Chariot v Chariot 4
A weak performance by the Hittite infantry lets the Assyrians breathe easy.

The Assyrian archers again choose to shoot rather than charging the emerging flank of the Hittite infantry.
Archers v Infantry 3
Infantry v Skirmishers 2
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry V Infantry 2
Chariots v Chariots 3
The Assyrians have the edge in combat so far.

Turn 6
The Hittites complete their wheel and crash into the right hand flank of the Assyrians.
Infantry v Infantry (flanked) 6. a bruising clash for the Assyrians.
Skirmishers v Infantry 2
Infantry v Infantry 3
Infantry v Infantry 3
Infantry v Infantry 2
Chariots v Chariots 6
From a poor start the Hittite nobles fight their way back and vanquish their foes with fearsome savagery!
A better combat phase for the Hittites.

The Assyrians look in real trouble.
The archers finally charge the Hittite flank to the  relief of their comrades.
Infantry  v Skirmishers 2
infantry v Infantry 1
infantry v Infantry 3
Infantry v Infantry 1
Archers v Infantry (flank) 4
Have the infantry lost heart now the nobles have fled the field?

Turn 7

The Hittite chariots move forward and manoeuvre for a flank attack on the archers. The infantry locked in combat don't turn to meet the archers, too busy hacking at their front. (I decided it wouldn't be possible for the whole unit to turn so left them fighting the flanked infantry. If it had been the old days with more stands/elements to the unit I would have turned part of them to face, come back 6th edition!)
Skirmishers v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry v Infantry 3
Infantry v Infantry (flanked) 2 The flanked infantry succumb to overwhelming numbers.

The Assyrian infantry have failed to eliminate the skirmishers after hours of combat, weight isn't everything on the battle field.
Infantry v Skirmishers 2
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry v Infantry 3
Archers v Infantry (flanked) 2 The flanked unit is 1 short of destruction.

Turn 8
The Hittite Chariots wheel and charge the flank of the archers.
The infantry turn to face the archers and the infantry free of opponents, manoeuvres to flank the Assyrian infantry
Skirmishers v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry v Archers 2
Chariots v Archers 8 The archers reel under the shock of frontal and flank assault. Their demise is not assured as their opponents are on 14 (inf) and 13 (Char)
The Assyrians need a killing frenzy!

The Assyrian response
Infantry v Skirmishers 2 The skirmishers flee the field.
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry v Infantry1
Archers v Infantry 2 The Hittite infantry die where they fought. Their names will be recorded for all time on the stele to be erected after victory.

Turn 9
The Hittite infantry attack the exposed flank of the Assyrians.
The Assyrian archers turn to face the chariots.
Infantry v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry v Infantry (flanked) 6
Chariot v Archers 4
The archers are on 14 and the chariots on 13 it will be a close run thing.

The Assyrians are nothing if not stubborn.
The left wing infantry unit starts its long manoeuvre to re-join the battle
Infantry v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry 2
Archers v Chariots 6 The nobles rout!
The Hittites still have the upper hand, all they have to do is rout the infantry and reform to defeat the archers and 1 infantry unit.

Turn 10
The Hittite infantry charge the Assyrian exposed flank
Hittite infantry fight the Assyrian infantry 2 on one
Infantry v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry (flanked) 4
The Hittites are disheartened  and fight more defensively but still rout the flanked infantry unit.

The Assyrians continue to wheel whilst one lone infantry unit holds up 3 enemy units.
Infantry v Infantry 3 The right flank Hittite unit is on 14.

Turn 11
The Hittites move in for the kill. Once again flanking the Assyrian infantry, but blocking the left most unit who stand to get their breath back.
Infantry v Infantry 1
Infantry v Infantry (flanked) 4 They miss destroying the unit by 1 point

The Assyrians slowly turn their unopposed units.
The lone infantry unit battles on.
Infantry v Infantry 1 The Hittite right wing unit is now on 14

Turn 12
The Hittite infantry fight on.
Infantry v Infantry 2
Infantry v Infantry (flanked) 2
The Assyrians are hacked to death by the tired Hittites.

The archers continue their wheeling.The left wing Assyrian unit turns and charges the rear of the right wing Hittite unit in their moment of triumph.
Infantry v Infantry (in rear) 6 They die whilst praising Wurrukatte for their victory.

Turn 13
The Hittites start to manoeuvre having no enemies to their front.

The Assyrian infantry wheel to engage one of the infantry units and the archers seize a chance to shot.
Archers v Infantry 2

Turn 14
Whoops! The Hittite infantry turn and charge the archers. I didn't see that coming, too clever by half.
Infantry v Archers 1 but it is enough to see the archers off.

The Assyrians wheel and charge the exposed rear of the infantry unit who defeated the archers.
Infantry v Infantry (rear) 8 What is left of the infantry unit flee the field.
The armies are down to one unit each but needing to manoeuvre to face and charge each other. With only one turn left the battle is a draw.

Really close until the last couple of moves where events even surprised me.

A note on the archers.
The rules do not state the die roll for archers but I left it as the number rolled. This because of the area effect of massed bow fire as opposed to the skirmishers less dense zone.
Also, because the archers are not shielded or shieldwall I did not divide the casualties on them by 2

A note on movement.
Why can't ancient army units not about face? Is it always the case that the unit wheels 180 degrees rather than turn the whole unit? Or perhaps counter marching where the files march where the file turns as in a conga and marches opposite to the direction it was facing?

Thank you for viewing and I hope you enjoyed this battle.