Migard: A Song of Ice & Fire on Tabletop Simulator

 With Mal falling ill, the Wednesday group was forced to improvise, so it was back to Tabletop Simulator on Steam! Fortunately Rob had done all the hard work, in creating (or more accurately ‘borrowing’!) ‘A Song of Ice & Fire’ set-up on Tabletop Simulator and creating the Midgard set-up.

After a quick rescaling of the hill and “salient points”, off we set to play Scenario 3, from the book, with the Lannisters attacking the Starks on the hill.

The Lannisters (Steve & Phil) mounted an echelon attack on the hill, with the Knights of Casterly Rock on the Lannister left. The Mountain & his men, plus a unit of Guardsmen were in the centre. Finally Tyrion Lannister had two units of halberdiers & two units of crossbowmen on the Lannister right.

On the hill, the Starks (Rob & Dave) had their cavalry on their right flank. Curiously the Stark bowmen held the centre and the Stark Sworn Swords held the Stark left flank. Great John Umber and his men were due to arrive at the start of Turn 4.

Steve wasted no time in riding down the Stark cavalry. Knights vs medium cavalry, was never going to be a fair fight, even if the Starks were uphill. However, Steve’s knights were in no mood for stopping and some crushing dice rolls swept away the right hand Stark cavalry unit. The Stark cavalry unit closer to the centre only managed to hold on for a little longer, by virtue of Jon Snow dashing over to stabilise things, but this did not last long and he was soon forced to dash back to the archers, when the second Stark cavalry unit ceased to exist!

Jon did manage to pivot the archers, to shoot into the flank of the knights, removing a stamina point from them, but then the Mountain & his men crashed into the formed archers, who just managed to hold onto the hill, at a cost of losing two stamina. They then, rather foolishly decided to charge the Mountain & his men, getting rather chopped-up for their troubles! This left Jon Snow contesting the ‘salient point’, all on his own!

In the centre, Tyrion (Phil) was being more cautious. His halberdiers advanced in echelon, covered by fire from the crossbowmen. The Stark Sworn Swords made a brave attempt at holding the hill, but weakened by the crossbow fire, the Lannister halberdiers managed to dislodge them from the hilltop. Eddard Stark dashed to mount a desperate counter-attack, but was soon left holding the hill solo!  The last drop of Reputation had just run out for the Starks! Great John Umber, spying the Lannister knights waiting for him and hillside strewn with Stark dead, decided to quietly march away again!

Romans vs Goths to see who is the strongest

Having played To the Strongest many times it was now up to me to actually run a game. Making a gridded mat from an older less used one was initially quite daunting, but a friend gave me some pointers and I found it fairly easy in the end by using a length of wood with the 15cm spacing marked out.

As usual, the game was played over Zoom and this involved a bit of back and forth emailing of the deployments until finally both sides were deployed.

The Goths advanced with the Romans holding back

but moving their right wing cavalry into what looked to be an easy flanking manoeuvre.

However, the Goths were holding back one of their warrior units and it now appeared in front of the cavalry. The heavies held back but the lights went forward trying to get behind the Goths.

On the other flank the Goth cavalry advanced but soon were reeling from an attack by some Roman Auxiliaries.

The Goth infantry advanced in the centre

And things were starting to go bad for the Romans as they were starting to get disordered and Rob the Goth managing to make all his defensive saves.

It looked as if the luck was turning back to the Romans as they managed to punch a Legion through a gap

And it about faced to fall upon the Goth rear.

 

The Goth Luck was holding as a veteran warrior warband destroyed a legion and marched into the Roman camp

with their centre just managing to stay on the field of battle.

The Roman light cavalry had managed to sack one of the Goth camps and it was now down to a couple of victory points left each. The Goth cavalry attacked the skirmishers in front of the camp forcing them back but it was a hard struggle with the Goths finally taking the second camp and victory.

It was definitely a game of two halves with the Goths looking at an early victory but the Legion are tough and managed a very close contest in the end.

Midgard, Artos stuffs it to Aelle: Scenario 1: Artos & the Britons vs Aelle & the Saxons

This was the second of two learning games, in 2 days. The first game saw Chris’s Aelle & the Saxons getting his ar*e handed to him by two OAPs, over Zoom! No pics here, as Phil was too busy explaining the rules to Chris & managing the tech.

The next morning saw Greg lead Artos’ forces to a stunning victory, over Phil’s Saxons, in just over 90 minutes! This being Greg’s first time with Midgard too!

The Saxons opened with a strong central advance of the Hearthguard, screened by skirmishers. The Saxon left hung back, cautiously facing off the Briton cavalry. The Saxon right advanced in echelon to the centre, hoping to exploit the success of Aelle and the Hearthguard centre punch.

All seemed to be going to plan, the skirmishers even managing to inflict a stamina loss on Artos’ hearthguard! However, then it all started to go wrong. The left centre Saxon Heathguard advance stalled, in a draw, while Aelle was driven back (Aelle still smarting from Artos’s refusal to fight him in a duel!). Artos rallied his men, flashed Excalibur and plunged through the Saxon Hearthguard.

In the previous day’s battle, Artos’ Legendary Tool had done absolutely nothing! He hadn’t even soiled the useless thing. In Greg’s hands, Artos’ tool was truly legendary. With the Saxon hearthguard smashed, Osric tried to plug the gap bursting open in the Saxon lines, but Artos, his legendary tool and his Hearthguard, simply steamrollered over the Saxon Young Warriors. Artos again casually dismissing Osric’s challenge to a duel.

The Saxons took some small solace from holding the Briton Cavalry back on the left and even driving back the Briton left flank, but to no avail. Artos has now helping himself to the last Reputation token, by humbling Osric, amongst the bodies of the young spearmen!

We have played this scenario 3 times now, using the same forces, but each game has been quite different. Plenty of see-sawing and little tactical choices, among the bigger battle strategy. Midgard will be on the table for some time, we suspect!

Chain of Command – Closing the Gap, Scenario 2, “Disaster at St Lambert”

 

Lt Buchannan surveyed the outskirts of St Lambert with some dismay. This was going be a tough nut to crack! The river looked deep and he could see a Panzer IV nestled down behind a barn in the centre of St Lambert. OK he had mortar support, a Vickers MMG and call on a Sherman, but unless he could get across that river, unseen, this could turn into a bloodbath!

The Canadian patrolling did manage to establish a toehold on the East bank of the river, well North of the bridge, so the Canadians pushed red section across and started to creep Eastward, trying to flank to the North of the village. The Canadian red section crawled cautiously forward, until they could just spy the German red section, waiting behind a stone wall, to their front.

Sgt Bowe decided to throw caution aside and dashed the red section Bren team into position, behind the hedge and opened fire, hoping to silence the exposed German MG42. With both sides suffering, the Canadians then pushed the much depleted yellow section forward, hoping to flank South of the German red section.

However, Sgt Sumnur spotted the Canadians leaving the wood and rushed the German blue section from South of the road, into the house just NE of the bridge. But, as the Germans bundled into the building, one of them kicked over a stove (bl**dy  fours 6s on the Command dice!!). Soon the house the Germans had just entered, was a blazing inferno, forcing them to tumble back out onto the street, in disarray.

The Canadian Yellow section breathed a sigh of relief and seeing that the firefight between the two red sections was starting to go the Canadian’s way, called for blue section to deploy (from the moved Jump-Off point), to storm the German position behind the wall.

The Canadian blue section swarmed forward, through the orchard, to attack the Germans behind the wall, but even pinned down, the Germans threw them back, the Canadians also losing the section Corporal . To add insult to injury, the Germans then deployed yellow section, in support the depleted red section and the Panzer IV rumbled forward, to lob 75mm rounds into the orchard.

Even the normally gung hoo Sgt Bowe had to admit that it was time to abandon this attac! Across the other side of the river, the Canadian FAO frantically searched for targets, as did the Sherman that had just trundled up, but all they could see was the smoke from the burning house next to the bridge.

Canadian losses were 12 men, including the blue section NCO. German losses weren’t light, with 8 men down, but with a high force morale, these losses were almost immediately recovered.

Midgard. A first outing

Artos moved forwards mounted on his trusted steed and as the morning mist cleared, he viewed a vast Saxon horde lined up for battle. Artos cleared his throat and issued a challenge to anyone that would be brave enough to take him on in single combat. After a brief period, a solitary figure appeared. It was Osric the Saxon champion. As he neared, Artos dismounted drew Excalibur and walked slowly towards Osric. Osric rushed forwards and slashed at Artos but he wasn’t quick enough and Artos parried with his shield leaving Osric open to a mortal blow from Excalibur. Artos muttered, well that was easy as he mounted up and trotted back to his army.

This was our first game of Midgard with Artos’s Britons taking on Aelle’s Saxons in scenario one of the Midgard rulebook.

The Saxons advanced, apparently in echelon, with the slingers on the Saxon right holding back whilst the British cavalry looked on perplexed. Hussa and the Saxon Hearthgard advanced towards the British Comitatus commanded by Bedwyr.

Whilst Aelle charged his veteran spearmen towards Kai and the British spearmen.

The Saxon slingers advanced but were ridden down by the British cavalry, as they failed to out evade them.

Bedwyr and the British Comitatus charged Hussa's Saxon Hearthgard, reputation was gained and battle ensued.

The British spearmen to the Comitatus right managed to push back the second Saxon Hearthgard unit and Hussa took a savage blow from the Comitatus, reducing his status.

Spears and horses clashed on the Saxon right with the Saxons destroying one of the cavalry units, but almost coming unstuck themselves.

With the help of the remaining Saxon slingers the second group of cavalry was soon seen off, leaving Artos on his own with no option but to fight on as his reputation would be in tatters if he didn't. There was a lot of pushing and shoving happening in the Saxon centre and left flank with no clear winner.

However, the Saxon Hearthgard eventually managed to push back and destroy the British Comitatus. The Young Warriors in support then turned on the British spearmen to their right and with help managed to push them into the British archers destroying them and reducing the British reputation to zero.

 

The sixth game in our Wars of the Roses campaign was the battle of Mortimer Cross between the Yorkist Earl of March (David) and the Lancastrian Duke of Somerset (Rick). 

 Historically Mortimers Cross saw the emergence of Edward Earl of March as the most successful commander of The Wars of the Roses.  Edward was a physically imposing man standing 6' 4" tall with the ability to inspire his soldiers. He never lost a battle.

At Mortimers Cross both armies were mostly made up of new recruits although the Lancastrians were stiffened by a contingent of Welsh mercenaries.  

 At dawn on the day of the battle there appeared to be three suns in the sky (a parhelion).  Edward seized the moment and claimed that the three suns predicted a day of glory for him and his two brothers.  The Yorkists prayed fervently and believed themselves blessed.

 Little is known about the progress of the battle but it appears that the Lancastrian right wing started the battle by shattering the Yorkist left.  A grim struggle then developed in the centre of the battlefield.  The victorious Lancastrian right tried to outflank the Yorkist centre only to find themselves outflanked by the returning Yorkist left.  The Lancastrian attack failed and fled the battlefield.

 Meanwhile the Lancastrian left had been waiting to see the outcome of the central battle. When their right wing fled the Welsh mercenaries decide it was time to leave. A Yorkist victory.

 Remember this game was not intended as an historical replay. The aim of the opposing captains was simply to kill as many of the enemy as possible.

 Both sides fielded the same armies they had used during their opening battles.  The Lancastrian Duke of Somerset (Rick) put his faith in a strong mounted force of Men at Arms, Currours and Northern Border Staves.  The Earl of March (David) included a fourth general in his army and deployed more modern equipment with gunpowder weapons in prominent positions.

 The Lancastrian mounted element gave them a decisive scouting advantage and despite an initial deadlock the Yorkists ended up starting the set up.

The battlefield was generally flat and featureless with a large marsh dominating the the centre of the Northern board edge.  Tucked away in the extreme North East of the field was the tiny village of Kingsland.

David decided to set up on the South side of the battlefield.  He started his deployment, by placing his artillery in a palisaded position on his left centre, creating a large swept area to their front. The guns were supported by units of longbows under the command of Baron Bonville (David).

 
The Lancastrians responded with a mixed force of bills and bows on their right flank under the command of Baron Hungerford (Adrian). 

David then completed the deployment of his centre placing a strong force of bills to the right of his artillery park commanded by Baron Fauconberg (Paul).

 

Rick then set up his centre under his personal command. Dismounted Men at arms bills and archers were deployed in his left centre denying David’s artillery any easy targets.

David deployed his right flank consisting of archers backed up by a single unit of bills and his remaining Burgundian handgunners commanded by Baron Scrope (Tony). 

Rick responded by deploying his mailed fist, placing his cavalry on his left under the command of the Earl of Wiltshire (Reg).

   Taking advantage of his extra general David then completed the set up by deploying his mounted knights on the left of his guns under his personal command. David’s final palisade and his second camp were left somewhat isolated on his extreme left.

The Lancastrians planned to avoid the Yorkist artillery and effect a double envelopment, smashing the Yorkist right with armoured knights and engaging the Yorkist left with billmen closely supported by longbow fire.

The Yorkists were deployed to meet the advancing Lancastrians with artillery and bow fire supported by a reserve of bills and mounted knights.

Having won the scouting the Lancastrians began the battle with rapid advances on both wings. 

Alarmed at the rapid advance of the Earl of Wiltshire (Reg) the Yorkist right (Tony) responded by extending his Burgundian handgunners to the right to meet the advancing Earl’s bodyguard.  Yorkist defensive longbow fire succeeded in disordering the main body of Lancastrian knights.

Lord Fauconberg (Paul) also moved his troops to the right in support of their right wing driving back the disordered Lancastrian knights.

On the Yorkist left the earl of March led his knights forward into the centre of the battlefield

Both Lancastrian wings continued to advance.  On their left the Earl of Wiltshire (Reg) drove the Burgundians from the table.  On their right Baron Hungerford’s (Adrian’s) bills and longbows threatened the exposed Yorkist camp.

Recognising the threat to his camp the Earl of March (David) turned his knights left and engaged Lord Hungerford’s (Adrian’s) advancing infantry disordering them and lightly wounding the Baron.

On the Lancastrian left (Reg) their retreating and disordered knights failed to rally.  To make things worse the Lancastrian Currors were also thrown into disorder by fierce Yorkist longbow fire.  The Duke of Somerset (Rick) began to move his centre in support of his faltering left, presenting a target of opportunity to the Yorkist bombards.

Baron Scrope (Tony) continued to press his advantage destroying the Lancastrian Currours and turning his archers to their right to menace the flank of the Lancastrian Northern Border Staves.

 The Lancastrian centre (Rick) now joined the battle, engaging the main Yorkist line, disordering Baron Fauconberg’s (Paul’s) archers and providing succour to the Earl Wiltshire’s (Reg’s) disordered knights who had still failed to establish any sense of order.

On the Lancastrian right flank Baron Hungerford (Adrian) continued to push his infantry forward advancing the main body of his infantry and turning his lead units to face the Earl of March’s (David’s) knights.

The Earl of March (David) countered by expanded his front to protect the flank of his engaged knights and threatening the exposed flank of Adrian’s advancing infantry.  A desperate battle developed between the Yorkist Knights and Baron Hungerford’s bills.

Back on the Lancastrian left the Earl of Wiltshire (Reg) now began to move against the rear of the Yorkist line.    The Northern Border Staves turned to face the threat to their right and Reg’s bodyguard struck against Scrope’s (Tony’s) longbows on the end of the Yorkist line destroying them.

Seeing an opportunity to outflank the Lancastrian bodyguard Scrope (Tony) about faced his bills and moved against the exposed flank of the Lancastrian bodyguard destroying them.

The Earl of Wiltshire’s (Reg’s) Lancastrian light horse now charged into the exposed flank of Scrope’s (Tony’s) bills destroying them and continuing on to destroy the archers beyond them. Baron Scrope himself was lightly wounded and moved to join his handgunners bringing them back onto the battlefield.

Perfidious Lancastrian spies now sowed confusion and dissension amongst Baron Fauconberg’s bills, causing them to about face and present their rear to the enemy.

On the Yorkist left the struggle between The Earl of March (David) and Lord Hungerford’s bills (Adrian)resolved itself in the destruction of the Yorkist knights.

Pressing forward Adrian’s bills were sent directly to hell by the flame and iron of the Yorkist bombards.

On both flanks the Lancastrians refused to accept defeat.  On their left the Earl of March (David) withdrew his bodyguard before launching yet another charge against Baron Hungerford’s leading Lancastrian archers.

On the right Fauconberg’s (Paul’s) bills pushed back the rampaging Lancastrian light cavalry.

With the Yorkist right wing shattered,  their centre (Paul) struggling to present a united front against the advancing Duke of Somerset (Rick) and their left wing (David) consisting of the Earl of March and his body guard facing off against three Lancastrian  units (Adrian), the battle was declared a Lancastrian victory.

The next battle will be 2^nd St. Albans between Richard Neville the Earl of Warwick (Paul) and Henry Percy Duke of Northumberland (Doug/Reg)tentatively scheduled for 12^th December.  Paul, Reg, Doug will that be ok?

This will be the first of the historical grudge matches so each unit destroyed will be worth an extra victory point.