15mm Wargaming for Fun and Sanity: RS The Zombies of Mars

How many books, films, TV do you ingest with some sort of zombie running amok?

Now, do you use hem in your games, hmmmm?

I wanted to try this. I expected that running the zombies would not be as much fun. I was wrong.

I decided on a simple set of rules:

Follow and attack movement.

If no movement return to leader.

I presumed that one following would often block line of sight. I would normally have one of the priests acting as leader, but I offered all 3 used last week as opponents.

Undead Militia 198 Hard to kill wound tokens 000 Move Sneak/Walk 1 Run 3 Sprint 5

Goldie Leader 2 , Steadfast, Tough2 15 Total 31

Light combat dress 2,3. 14

Polearm 2 primitive, long 2

Up Nonreactive, Steadfast, Tough2 15 Total 31

Light combat dress 2,3. 14

Polearm 2 primitive, long 2

On guard Nonreactive, Steadfast, Tough2 15 Total 31

Light combat dress 2,3. 14

Polearm 2 primitive, long 2

Rest Nonreactive, Steadfast, Tough2 15 Total 31

Light combat dress 2,3. 14

Polearm 2 primitive, long 2

Sword right guard Nonreactive, Steadfast, Tough2 15 Total 31

Light combat dress 2,3. 14

2 handed sword (3) primitive, 2h, clumsy 2

Sword left guard Nonreactive, Steadfast, Tough2 15 Total 31

Light combat dress 2,3. 14

2 handed sword (3) primitive, 2h, clumsy 2

Tony chose these as the ambushers:

Militia. Brawlers
Failed melee counters

C Ambidextrous, weaponmaster2 Fast 20 Total 24

Sword (2) primitive 2

Pistol Cbow (2) Reload, Primitive, Short range 2

D Ambidextrous, weaponmaster2 16 Total 26

Sword (2) primitive 2

Pistol Cbow (2) Reload, Primitive, Short range 2

Chest armour (2) 6

E Ambidextrous, weaponmaster2 Fast 20 Total 24

2 swords (2) primitive 4

G Ambidextrous, weaponmaster3 19 Total 37

Light combat dress 2,3. 14

2 swords (2) primitive 4

H Ambidextrous, Leader2 weaponmaster2 28 Total 46

Light combat dress 2,3. 14

Pistol Cbow (2) Reload, Primitive, Short range 2

Sword (2) primitive 2

I Tough, steadfast weaponmaster3 20 Total 40

Polearm 2 primitive, long 2

Combat dressed 3 4 Heavy 18

Total 197

The Game. We had some thoughts on the set-up. As defender/ambushed I take the centre. No problem with that. Now the defenders are supposed to spread on all base lines. Standard ambush is usually L shaped. A block supported by a line of attackers. Never mind, we followed orders.

Here they come guards proceeding.

Bottom right is C. He's the one to watch.

Sneaky watching.

C tries for the leader.

Aaaah! The old sneaking up behind and slicing off heads ploy!

Damn, spotted-.

Chased-.

Boo!

Just stay still-.

Trying to sneak in full armour just doesn't happen. NB the reason you see short heavy polearms used with full armour-. When you have very limited visibility on slippery or broken ground a walking aid is really, really welcome. I taught this by getting people to walk blindfold with same across a ploughed field. The other benefit is that the weapon covers all the lesser armoured bits. You're arms are tucked in, groin and neck covered. Trust me, your heavy all encompassing armour feels the size of a postage stamp.