As a result we've both been painting frantically. True to form he's finished 75 models and I've done 8.
Anyway we decide it was time for a game.
There's a skirmish scenario in the WAB book that only requires 750 points a side. Sadly Steve's 75 models only aded up to 250 points, so I dug out the Saxons to make up the numbers.
General Ballroomius commanded a Saxon force with a unit of Late Roman Milites (they were paying the hairy Barbarians to fight for them)
Whilst Steve had a Saxon force with a bunch of Irishmen along for the craic.
The game began with a general Irish advance and some nasty slinging (20 in a game this size was probably too many on reflection),
The Romano Saxon force also advanced - with the Geoguth making for the hut.
After another round of withering stone fire Ballroomius could take no more and rather ill advisedly charged the Irish fellas on the hill.
Clearly this late in the Roman period the spears had been replaced by rubber versions and the sixteen or so attacks resulted in but a single dead Irishman. In return the five Irish attacks killed four Romans who promptly turned tail, fled and were cut down.
This left the Irish warbands converging on the Saxon archers.
Over by the Dark Age Shed the youths had failed a warband test and with the hut in the way simply milled around for a bit. Seizing the opportunity the Saxon cavalry charged them in the flank.
Things went badly for the archers...
Finally the Duguth on Duguth action arrived. Unfortunately Ballroomius's mercenaries had been given the same spears as their employers and they too bounced off and fled.
The cavalry eventually routed and ran down the Geoguth and some javelin and slingshots eventually left the Saxon warlord alone and surrounded. He didn't even get a decent death in combat - he was javelined down as he charged home...
This was all over very quickly. The fatal charge by the Romans meant Ballroomius was always on the back foot. And he rolled terrible dice whilst Steve's largely ran hot.
Sadly WAB 1.5 felt a bit clunky after so long away from it. Hopwefully I just need to get my head back around the rules and it'll all come back to me. I also think bigger games will help - at this scale a single poor combat means it's game over. Also 20 slingers is broken in a 750 point game.
It all looked very splendid though. Steve will have a great looking (and model heavy) army when he finishes it.
Great looking figures and game. A period that is cool, but one I never got around to do.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking figures and game. A period that is cool, but one I never got around to do.
ReplyDeleteHi Tom, nice to see you bringing out the old models again, I remember fighting against these many years ago and mainly losing, most of mine have gone to the recycle yard that is ebay!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff - it's nice to see people still playing WAB because it keeps me inspired to collect forces. I didn't get into it whilst it was still in publication, but over the last year or so, have picked up the rules. What I want do is base whatever armies I get to allow me to play WAB, Saga, Sword and Spear, etc
ReplyDeleteThanks for the very complementary write up. I am looking forward to having my full army ready to go. But the game was not much fun for GB. He needs the very aggressive Saxon or Welsh army to suit his playing style I feel!
ReplyDelete