OAAH Planning a BIG Game.

The game happens Wednesday.  As this worked out a bit big, I thought I'd post it separately.

Once done, I've got the start of my own army list, so later games get that bit easier.

Step 1 The table, size of areas and scenery/objectives.

I'm going to be using a 3x3ft board, divided into 6x6 areas. That makes the areas slightly smaller than I used for the second game, similar to the first, as the troops are more compact. I'm looking for forces of about 3,000 points. I'm going to use a rough craggy hill with an Unholy ground light wood in the middle. The wood gives +1 to the undead against all bar the artificial troops. They don't care.

Step 2, side 1.

Lets start with the Achaean. I use the spreadsheet, cut & paste then adapt. Takes minutes to do.

The first batch is a city-state force comprising a horde of javelins, pike and chariots under a sub general. There's no need to, but I want this section to be fairly historical.

Each of the 6 base areas:

1) Rabble Javelin 5 1 4 Rabble, Horde, Shooter 0 16 x 9 = 144

Pikes were not in the vast square blob of other armies. They are usually supported by an integral unit of skirmishing archers.(568 x4 = 2,272. add general for 2395, 2 chariots 2493. Just saying)

2) Spear 4 2 5 Pikes Slow 12 x 33 = 396

Archers 4 1 5 Shoot 2 Skirmishers 4 x 43 = 172

3) Chariots with armoured lancers 4 2 6 chariot Level3, resilient, 2x49 98

Sub General Odysseus 3 3 6 Sub commander Inspiring leader, 3 lives 119

Pushed forward in front area- Skirmishers 4 1 4 skirmishers, shooters0, 16x 29 = 464

That puts the “mundane part at 1,193. Part 2 is from Crete.

4) Cretan city state javelin 4 1 4 shooters0, 12x25 = 300

Bronze Bull 4 3 7 Artificial, Monster level 2, Tough, Trample, Devastating charge. 105

5) Prince of Minos the Taurus 3 2 3, General, Chariot L3, Resilient, 3 extra lives 123

BronzeMen 4 2 6 Pikes, Slow, Artificial, Drilled, 8x 47 = 376

6) Cretan archers 4 1 4 shooters 2 12x 34 = 408

Skirmishers 4 1 4 skirmishers, shooters0, 4x 29 = 116

Total this half 1,428. Plus 1,193 = 2,621

So I'm going to add a unit in front of areas 5&6:

Light chariots level 2, Fast, Skirmishers Shooters 1 4x 48 = 196 for a total of 2,817.

But that's as far as I can push it. That's a 2 deep big battle! If there were heavier units-.

Step 3 The Enemy.

Now the forces of Darkness. This is a bit easier, having a total to work 2, lets see what I've got:

Rabble 414 Rabble Horde Undead 18 x 21 = 378

Spear 4 2 5 Undead Pike Slow 40 x 39 1,560

Archers 4 1 5 Shooters1 Undead 14 x39 = 546

Javelin 4 1 5 Shooters 0 Undead 8 x35 = 280

Swords 4 1 5 Undead 12 x31= 372

Chariots 4 2 6 Chariot level3, Undead, Trample 2 x 51 = 102

General 3 2 6 Chariot level3, Undead, General extra lives 118

Bodyguard 3 2 6 Chariot level3, Undead, Bodyguard 66

Total 3,442. So 625 to lose. Get rid of 8 spear (312 ) Reduce rabble to 8 (168) Archers to 10 156 for a total of 636. New total 2,806

Just to recap and organise:

Base Areas

1) Archers 4 1 5 Shooters1 Undead 10 x39 = 390

2,3) Spear 4 2 5 Undead Pike Slow 32 x 39

4) General 3 2 6 Chariot level3, Undead, General extra lives 118

Bodyguard 3 2 6 Chariot level3, Undead, Bodyguard 66

5) Chariots 4 2 6 Chariot level3, Undead, Trample 2 x 51 = 102

6) Swords 4 1 5 Undead 12 x31= 372

Javelin 4 1 5 Shooters 0 Undead 8 x35 = 280

Total 2,806

Step 4. Playsheet.

We're still rusty and terms can mean one thing in one set and different in another. For instance I've been getting SLOW wrong. I thought it was 2 activations per move. Wrong. Slow means that skirmishers (infantry vs infantry or cavalry vs cavalry. Even slow cavalry can hit infantry skirmishers) can target you as you cannot chase them fast enough.

There's page-breaks to aid printing and I reverse so both players have all the info if I feel they would know their opponent. Partial if not.

Undead

Marker

A) 10 Archers 4 1 5 Shooters1 Undead

B, C) 16 Spear 4 2 5 Undead Pike Slow

General 3 2 6 Chariot level3, Undead, General extra lives 3

Bodyguard 3 2 6 Chariot level3, Undead, Bodyguard

D) Chariots 4 2 6 Chariot level3, Undead, Trample

E) 12 Swords 4 1 5 Undead

F) 8 Javelin 4 1 5 Shooters 0 Undead

Undead units immune to poison, fatigue, not pushed.

Achaeans.

A) 16 Rabble Javelin 5 1 4 Rabble, Horde, Shooter 0

B) 12 Spear 4 2 5 Pikes Slow   

C) 4 Archers 4 1 5 Shoot 2 Skirmishers

Sub General Odysseus 3 3 6 Sub commander Inspiring leader, 3 lives 119

Inspired leader. Every turn, one stand same area as General, not general, reroll one failed melee die.

D) 2 Chariots with armoured lancers 4 2 6 chariot L3, resilient

Resilient roll D each hit 5+, ignored

E,F,G,H) 4x4 Skirmishers 4 1 4 skirmishers, shooters0,

Skirmishers if faster (slow), free action shoot and retreat.

I) 12 Cretan city state javelin 4 1 4 shooters0,

Bronze Bull 4 3 7 Artificial, Monster level 2, Tough, Trample, Devastating charge.

Artificial units, not pushed, fatigued or exhausted .

Tough - D each hit 4+, that hit is ignored.

Trample - If kills at least 50% unit reroll any failed D.

Prince of Minos the Taurus 3 2 3, General, Chariot L3, Resilient, 3 extra lives

Resilient roll D each hit 5+, ignored

J) BronzeMen 4 2 6 Pikes, Slow, Artificial, Drilled

Artificial units, not pushed, fatigued or exhausted .

Drilled reroll one failed Activation roll per turn

K) 12 Cretan archers 4 1 4 shooters 2

L) 4 Skirmishers 4 1 4 skirmishers, shooters0,

Skirmishers if faster, free action shoot and retreat.

M, N) 2x2 Light chariots level 2, Fast, Skirmishers Shooters 1

Skirmishers if faster, free action shoot and retreat.

RS Torchwood triumphs in the Valley of the Scorpion Lord

The plot thickens! It bubbles and froths. Or is that just me?

Obviously some natives are under the impression that just because their ancestors have lived there for thousands of years they have a certain right of ownership!

The upstart Americans have been seen orf. The CiaA settle down to some damn fine archaeology. As if by magic in no time tents are erected, char brewed and tiffin tiffed. They gained a massive 9 (2 tokens, 1 kill) from last time. They also gained a whole swathe of weapons, 3 rifles & 2 pistols.

But what is this? Something stirs! Tiffin is disturbed! Could be worst, miffed muffins can be lethal

Consulting Investigators and Associates (Torchwood Calcutta in disguise.) Star Cops.

Carruthers, The Hon. Cyn, Prof, Miss B, Miss G.

“Cinnamon” Carruthers. Agile, Ambidextrous, Weaponmaster 2, Hero, Steadfast2, Tough2 60 total 64

2 Swords (2) primitive, 4

Blaster rifle (adapted radium rifle) 6 Heavy, 2 handed, Energy.

The Hon. Cynthia Homeria Baggshott Smalls (Cyn for short) Agile, Alert, Perceptive, Medic, Reactive, Tech. 18 Total 26

Kevlar 2 torso 6.

Sword (2) primitive, 2

Pistol (4) Short range 5

Professor Quarterpound Leader3, Perceptive3, Tech2,Xenologist @34.

Rifle (4) Reload, 2 handed. 4

Pistol (4) Short range 5

Assistant/niece Miss B Alert, Reactive, Marksman2, Slug pistol @24

Rifle (4) Reload, 2 handed. 4

Pistol (4) Short range 5

Miss G Agile, Fire into melee, Marks2, M.Arts2, Medic2, Slug pistol @36

Pistol (4) Short range 5

Singehis Thing (derogatory nickname) No sooner has the poor chap come round from the poison than he's given lots of “occupational therapy”. He's not a prisoner, just a non white working person.

Green, Steadfast3, Tough, Weaponmaster 3 Shovel. Activation 10, reaction 12.

Locals.Cultists. Lord, big scorpion, 2 small scorpions 198

Move Crawl 1” Walk/Sneak 2”, Run 7” Sprint 9”.

Scorpion Lord Big, Extra legsx3, insectoid, Leader1, Psi, Psi master 3, Weaponmaster3. 52 Total 84

Kevlar (torso 4, rest 2) 6

2x Monowire scythe (3) Armour piercing, cleave 16

Sword (2) primitive, 2

Neurowhip (tail 1) Long, Stun, Energy 5

Blink when hit, dodge Tn15 moves 2”, fail, 1 stress +1 damage 3

Scorpion Armour 2. Big, Extra legsx3, Free disengage, insectoid,, Psi, Weaponmaster3. 37 Total 58

2x Monowire scythe (3) Armour piercing, cleave 16

Neurowhip (tail 1) Long, Stun, Energy 5

Crawl 1” Walk/Sneak 2”, Run 6” Sprint 8”. Armour 2. -2 to hit.

2x Small scorpion. Diminutive, Difficult target, 3 Extra legs, Insectoid, Psi, claws (2) 28

The game was a simplified Destroy Property.  5 tents & 1 tourer being the target.  Dense terrain.  Complication Dust from the noxious atmosphere table on P37.  So everyone starts in tents (an intents scenario)  and suffers 1 stress upon stepping out.  Tony took Torchwood again.  I attacked!

I must apologise for unfinished figures.  I have painting days and scenery days.  With the cold, damp weather I've been mostly making scenery-. And plotting n blogging.

With 3 successes, my lord comes in with clacking, chittering and neeeing, rips the tent to shreds!

 A little aside.  Poor Mustava Slash.  He gets badly stung then put to work!  Polishing the motor during a sand storm-.  (Tony came up with the idea that-) He goes looking for food and kit to escape back home--.

Professor goes out for a pipe.

The other tent attacked!  The fiends!  Have they no respect for others property!

Back to the Lord- he goes through the remnants of the tent, but he gets one activation!  Miss G gets the reactions, snatches up her pistol and pointing it in vaguely the right direction she blows his brains out through his tail.  Oh, good.

"I say, that was a good shot, what?!"

The little one is more difficult target (!) and takes several pins until it succumbs.

Once again the tent is Rip Torn'd.  To reveal a hero!

With a mighty chitter n clack the beast is upon him!  Only to fall at his feet!  A reaction is rolled-with one mighty slash the fallen fell beast is felled!

More brains spilled upon the dusty ground.  I need more coffee-.

The little one comes in for revenge!

Hah!  Hero down and wounded!

Sneaking--.

"I think I hear something, let us go and investigate once I get this damn pipe to light."

"What is all this noise?  I moved tents due to you eating that curry again and STILL I cannot get some decent peace and quiet!"  So comes the heroine. Now she has a complete inability to roll over 5 in combat--.

Help draws near.

Bang!  Sorted.

Healing is applied.  "His wound is in his shoulder?"  says Syn.  "But sucking the poison out here is working!"  Says Miss G.

But what is this?  Scuttling and light clacking from the rocks!  As their parents die, the last generation of scorpions charge! (Another 8 of them, so making a second follow-on game)

Once again he's behind you, scuttling under your skirts!

Bang, knocked down.

More-

Poor girl is down!

They need a hero- shooting, cane-whacking ensues.

Any time now would be good-.

Closer!

And here he is slashing left and right!  ("Darling, you're showing!")

That takes the pressure off, initiative switches repeatedly-.

Still sneaking-

More slashing and stomping and the threat is averted.

A roll on the containers table suffices for ruined tent rummaging.  17, melee weapon.  Aaah!  The Scorpion lords Sword!  Carefully hidden--.

The first game, well it was fast.  The second got a bit repetative.  Still good though.
Torchwood is triumphant with no casualties or permanent ill effects.  They gain a massive 24 for all that killing (12x2) and have control of the valley.  That gives them a massive 233 points for the next game. 

Torchwood one Irregular British Officer Professor, the rest Rebel.
Heroes Croms anvil.
Scorpion Lord new Splintered Light
Big scorpion plastic toy.
Small scorpions Alternative Armies
Tents various Almera plastic mouldings.

OAAH Chariots, Warwagons & Semi-historical

Many of you here have historical armies.  Some of these are fantastic enough.  There are examples of primitive nations taking on and beating armies with far superior weapons.  The horse, elephant and black powder artillery can all be considered fantastic in historical battles.

What is a chariot or war-wagon?  

My definition is a vehicle pulled or pushed by a power source without which it cannot move.  Something on a creatures back is carried so comes under monster or giant.

Like this one? From Alternative Armies.  I'm thinking Venus--.

Your choice.  Use what you feel gives the best fit.

a)  These are my ideas and suggestions for chariots size 2-8 in Of Armies And Hordes.

b) I want to thank and give a big plug to Museum Miniatures, (MM) who have the best range IMO in 15mm.  Others are available, but these are my favourite.  https://www.museumminiatures.co.uk/

Another such to Alternative Armies, (AA) if only for Leonardo's Turtle Car, and, of course, Leonardo!  "My Lord, I have a cunning plan!"  There are others, go find them!  That's part of the fun!
https://www.alternative-armies.com/

Both have facebook pages.

Sizes

2  Slow items such as burning carts and this Roman/Chinese horse drawn artillery.

Skirmishing Fast chariots such as Egyptian, British and later Aegean. used as missile or raiding platforms.







Both MM














3  Heavier chariots with armoured and/or protected fighter designed to get stuck in.  Still fast.
Roman and Indian anti-elephant carts, slow or infantry speed.


MM

                AA

4  Heavier vehicles designed to be mobile fighting platforms or Armoured Personnel Carriers.  You thought these were a modern idea?  The Assyrians had them!

MM

                                        AA

MM

5  I'm going to tentatively put Leonardo's Turtle car here.  I had the fun/privilege of fighting against the one made at Bovington Tank Museum.

Those guns are more like shotguns.  No need to be over-powered and loaded with anything, they'll take your legs off at the knee and it rotates, each gun shooting as it bears, replaced and reloads until all resistance is gone.

Powered either by a bullock, horse or large crew.  The model managed a good walking speed across a rough paddock.  My pike got caught on the outer skin and I got pulled along-.        AA

                               

6  Slow vehicles using a mix of heavy firepower and carried infantry.  A slow vehicle designed to work as a stop.

                MM 

7 & 8  Slow vehicles designed to deliver and protect artillery and siege weapons.  This will include large carts pretending to be fortifications.

MM

Here's some food for thought--.