15mm Wargaming for Fun and Sanity: Song of Blades and Heroes Sumerians vs Lizards

Chariots. Luv 'em. By far the most stupid method for getting a Rupert killed devised by the hand of man until the modern Russian AFV.

I know Andrea has addressed this thorny issue before, mostly by, sensibly, saying "go away".

I've taken an old approach here of splitting the vehicle in 2.

The charioteer (driver) and horses/mules are one half. The hero/warrior is the other. They work on 1 activation. One handles movement and can fight by running things over. The hero can use all activations offensively. I've used combat master to reflect his large quivers of javelins or arrows allowing a much heavier offence than a chap running around with a couple in hand.

All chariots burst into flame when they crash. History Channel does not lie.

Saddle car & chariot hero, (262) 2 archers (34) 4 shielded jav (64) 3 unshielded jav (36) = 396

Chariot hero (162) 4 Pike ( 68) 2 archers (34) 3 shielded javelin (48) 3 unshielded jav (36) 4 sling (56) 404

Saddle Car Hero
Points 100	Quality 3+	Combat 3
	Hero, Mounted, Running Blow, Sharpshooter, Shooter: Short

Chariot Hero - Personality
Points 80	Quality 3+	Combat 3
	Combat Master, Dashing, Mounted, Sharpshooter, Shooter: Short

Chariot & driver - Personality
Points 82	Quality 3+	Combat 2
	Combat Master, Mounted, Tough

Archer
Points 17	Quality 5+	Combat 2
	Shooter: Long

Veteran Pike
Points 17	Quality 4+	Combat 2
	Group Fighter, Shieldwall, Short Move

Javelin Shielded
Points 16	Quality 5+	Combat 2
	Group Fighter, Shieldwall, Shooter: Short

Javelin unshielded
Points 12	Quality 5+	Combat 2
	Shooter: Short

Slinger
Points 14	Quality 5+	Combat 2
	Shooter: Medium

Big boss 110, 2 Mtd warrior (126) Mtd archer (62) 2 warriors (64) Archer (400)

Shaman (72) Leader (48) 5 Warriors (160) 3 archers ( 114) (394)

Leader (48) 6 Warriors (192) 4 archers ( 152) (392)

Big Boss Lizard - Personality
Points 110	Quality 3+	Combat 5
	Amphibious, Big, Dashing, Heavy Armor, Hero, Tailslap

Lizard Shamen - Personality
Points 72	Quality 3+	Combat 3
	Amphibious, Magic-User, Tailslap

Lizard Leader
Points 48	Quality 3+	Combat 3
	Amphibious, Dashing, Tailslap

Lizard warrior
Points 32	Quality 4+	Combat 3
	Amphibious, Tailslap

Mounted Lizard warrior
Points 63	Quality 4+	Combat 4
	Amphibious, Long Move, Mounted, Tailslap

Mounted Lizard archer
Points 62	Quality 4+	Combat 3
	Amphibious, Long Move, Mounted, Shooter: Medium, Tailslap

Lizard archer
Points 38	Quality 4+	Combat 3
	Amphibious, Shooter: Medium, Tailslap

Quick size comparison:

Game 1 Shamen on you!

Me: Chariot hero, 4 Pike, 2 archers, 3 shielded javelin, 3 unshielded jav, 4 sling.

Tony: Shaman, Leader, 5 Warriors, 3 archers.

I'm defending. I made a batch of 8 with shields forward to use as bodyguards or similar.

I am rolling forward on reaction. "Rolling thunder power and grain!

"Follow me my brave lads!" - "Well, this is a nice spot."

Oooh crap, not even a reaction-

Chariots toppled, bursts into flames. You had to be there-. There's -3 on by score due to participants.

Shielded javelin move up. So do the lizard archers.

Chariot recovers and lines are drawn.

Slingers are in range but not so inclined.

Always worth checking the distances.

Let's dance.

One lizard dies, followed by a pike.

Leaders engage! The chariot comes off worse.

My leader, 2 javelin, lizard archer all go down in quick succession.

Meanstwhile, shaman takes a shot at an archer, who responds.

Morale - mine run like a big chompy lizard is after them!

Off table & dead.

Game 2 Milking the Lizards.

Me: Big boss, 2 Mtd warrior, Mtd archer, 2 warriors, Archer.

Tony: Leader, 6 Warriors, 4 archers.

Tony's defending and sets up on a hill.

Taking a leaf from Tony's book I used only group actions for the troops.

Tony double times his archers to cope with my cavalry.

Damn those archers are good!

My turn - but my archer shoots his leader! Dead!

Now the route begins and individuals are picked off.

I didn't expect that! Pure luck!

Game 3. In the good old Sumer time.

Me: Saddle car & chariot hero, 2 archers, 4 shielded jav, 3 unshielded jav.

Tony: Chariot hero, 4 Pike, 2 archers, 3 shielded javelin, 3 unshielded jav, 4 sling.

Tony defends again, but this one is more meet & greet. Head 'em off at the pass.

Light troops rush ahead.

Chariot goes down in a hail of javelins.

Then the Hero.

Everyone runs home.

Coffee. Well that took longer to write up than run.

Game 4 Swopsies from game 3. The tables are turned. Dominant hill & wheelies. Run for the hill.

Just when you think you're doing well, the dice bite you.

And now -

My combined ops group lays down some righteous shooting. Watch that chariot do wheelies!

At least I get my javelin in place, confidence is high.

Again! Are they stuck in a loop? Some god is 'aving a giraffe!

The return shooting knocks one down. Lots of skipping.

Here's how it works. Chariot gets 2, I get a reaction & move my chariot up to intercept. Chariot moves 1, throws 1, knock down. Moves 1, throws 1 pushes 1 back. Contacts 3rd- kills.