15mm Wargaming for Fun and Sanity: OAAH Beta test Troy, diplomacy by other means

The Prologue.

Last week we worked on heroes and hordes. This week I want to look at the role of the General. It's proposed that Generals like monsters, heroes, artillery etc. come in grades. Unless you've got a lead-from-the-front type, what are they to do?

My idea is that the general can influence troops to move forward in a line. Sounds simple doesn't it? Works well in you-go-I-go games, but in an action/reaction game they tend to drift apart. So-.

Let me define my idea- this is mine, not an official rule. Got that? OK, lets go:

A General has a rating. This rating is 2-8. Now I think the lower (2-4) rating is ideal for a lead-from-the-front type general.

Suppose each rating refers to the areas of control. So a rate 6 general can control 6 areas. This may be a line, double line with an area gap, wedge, clump or block. You can think of this as a blowing of horns, waving of flags, messengers bombing about, officers yelling. The enemy can see that there might be a wavering in the line and focus there-.

Thinking of a couple of examples: Harold had good control of his central Battle at Hastings, but less control of his flanks. Alexander was a lead-from-the-front type of guy, had control of his immediate forces but relied on excellent sub commanders for the majority.

In game terms, my idea 1)

A general at the start of his round rolls (different colour) dice equal to his rating. These are distributed to terrain blocks (if empty, tough) in his area of control IF those troops are unlikely to get into combat as a result. The end result must be a formation, so all move forward either 1 or 2 in open ground or 1 in rough. The odd monster or hero that goes dashing off- that is the nature of the beast!

Now each unit rolls 1 extra dice as it is activated. If drilled, 2 dice are rolled and the worse disregarded. If there is more than 1 unit in the area, they share the generals dice unless a monster, hero or personality.

These 2 dice are its activation. Any reaction is passed over as normal. Any unit getting out of line can be pushed forward.

Other units can be activated before or after the generals line-move.

Now let's try it with different generals.

Didn't Work – bit too complicated. Simple it down. A grade 6 general suggest adds +1 to roll of troops (not heroes, personalities and monsters. Artillery a “wonky yes”) in 6 defined areas. Everything else as normal. Needs a marker. This should take general 1 activation as requires physical order giving.

You see than I'm developing the idea of a combined group- usually infantry and skirmishers in an area to combined units under the command of a general. I think it helps if you “role play” the motivation and character of the general, see below!

The plot

I'm guessing, oh my learned cohorts, that a lot of you have played RPG's? New group, new adventure, the DM throws in a brawl so everyone can get see who'se who? Our Homer used the same plot device. On the way over the army leapfrogs in a series of raids.

I cannot help but think of the Dieppe raid of WW2, initially thought of as a disaster but then we learn its sole purpose was an enigma machine. So with that in mind let's look at the raid on Mysia. A small island that took on the might of Achaean Greece and ground them to a stalemate!

What little we have concentrates on the final part of the battle, so that is where our revels begin.

The Generals were Ajax, Achilles and Odysseus. What a combination. I can see Ajax in the middle of the front rank, keeping the spearmen in place. Achilles no doubt had the centre and Odysseus the flank.

We start at the point, for convenience off-table, Ajax has killed the opposing sub commander (I guess) Teuthranis, half brother to the king Telephus. He gets narked and breaks the Achaean line.

This gives us a clearer image. A solid wall of spear. Achilles with his Myrmidons, chariots and support troops in the centre. On the flank stands Odysseus firm, facing the wrath of Telephus. In practical terms, having pushed the line back Telephus is heading for the gap to break the last group holding out. Meanstwhile Achilles is doing a Patton.

So, he takes it out on Odysseus after Ajax does the deed. I'm presuming that there is where the break is. Achilles in no rush as usual, plugs the gap. Odysseus is exposed but fresh. Got it?

The Achaean Invaders

(my) Left

Units 8 Spearman, 4 2 5 Pikes, Drilled 18 x 16 = 288

(I'm presuming that these have taken some damage and start disordered, plus they've lost their skirmishers and separated from any general's control.)

Centre

Achilles (lead-from-the-front) General L3, 3 3 6 Hero, Shoot3, 4lives

Myrmidons 6

Skirmish javelin 4 1 5 Skirmisher, Shoot1 15 x 4 = 60

Skirmishing archers 4 1 4 Skirmisher, Shoot1 4 x 12 = 48

Seapeoples warband 8

Skirmish javelin 4 1 5 Skirmisher, Shoot1 15 x 4 = 60

Skirmishing archers 4 1 4 Skirmisher, Shoot1 4 x 12 = 48

Chariots 2 L3 4 2 5 Chariot Shoot2 2 lives ? 80

Far Right

General Odysseus Level6 3 2 5 Hero, Inspiring leader, 2lives, General ? 75

Skirmish javelin 4 1 5 Skirmisher, Shoot1 15 x 4 = 60

Skirmish archers 4 1 4 Skirmisher, Shoot1 12 x 8 = 96

3 areas: Skirmish javelin 4 1 5 Skirmisher, Shoot1 15 x 4 = 60

Drilled Spear &Tower Shield 4 2 5 Pike Drilled 8 x 16 = 128

Chariots 2 L2 4 2 5 Chariot Shoot2 2 lives Fast? 60

Chariot runners 4 1 5 Fast 2x2 = 4 x 9 = 36

Skirmish javelin 4 1 5 Skirmisher, Shoot1 15 x 4 = 60

Archers 8 4 1 5 Shoot 2 8 x 15 =120

Approx. 1,500

Locals

Right flank

Units 8 Spearman, 4 2 5 Pikes, Drilled 18 x 16 = 288

Heroic Charioteer 3 3 5 Chariot, Hero, Dev charge, Fast, 2lives 39

Skirmish javelin 4 1 5 Skirmisher, Shoot1 15 x 6 = 90

Centre

Chariot sub General

Units 8 Spearman, 4 2 5 Pikes, Drilled 24 x 16 = 384

Left

King 3 3 5 Chariot, Hero, Dev charge, Fast, 2lives General 4 75?

2 Chariot Heroes 3 3 5 Chariot, Hero, Dev charge, Fast, 2lives 39

Household militia 4 2 4 Sh1 Drilled, 16 x 14 =224

Household archers 4 1 5 Sh2 Drilled, 17 x 12 =204

Household Skirmishers 4 2 4 Sh1 Drilled, 12 x 15 =180

Approx. 1,500

The Game.

I set everyone up in danger-close. No set-up, no substitution just a 2 hour-crunch-fest.

I got the initiative and with the theme of Achilles advancing to plug the gap, he formed a line and advanced. Now came Odysseus. Bum, my method not good and a slow advance, while Tony didn't take the initiative, content to advance his line by reaction.

First clashes, my skirmishers clash with Tony's household skirmishers. Outclassed they go down. But not before a chariot hero tries his luck against some javelins, coming of worst and dead.

Spear vs household spear, again I go down in flames, the 3 survivors go back in disorder.

Clash of Sea peoples against spear and for once win! Their Myrmidon brothers don't fare so well.

Now this has left a big hole in the centre. Tony's last chariot hero sees the gap and goes for it with 3 activations. This, with no reactions to stop him!, gets him all the way to Odysseus. He runs the general down, but dies (as usual) in the attempt. Morale. Oh joy. Most go back 1 but I lose some skirmishers.

Now its Achilles turn. Seeing a clear run Tony's last chariot hero goes for Achilles. Both fail in javelin exchange and plow in. The Hero dies, but he's stripped 2 lives from Achilles. Now the sub-general throws in his luck, but goes down as well, but takes another life! Emboldened, a spear unit charges him and despite losses kills him. Morale. Not much left, some skirmishers go back-.

Now my back is against the wall. No command. I hit spears with chariots, do a fair bit of damage but 1 life back, chariot retreats in disorder. But so is the spear, but I don't manage to follow up.