Village Raid Dux Bellorum Game

Visigoths defending the village

Saxon right flank and centre

Saxon left flank

Saxon skirmishers and cavalry

Saxons advance on the village

Saxon fanatics (Footsore Attecotti)

On Saturday afternoon Craig and I played a Dux Bellorum game with the Village Raid scenario. My Visigoths defended a village against Craig's Saxons attackers. The Saxon attack faltered early on when their left flank crumbled. They pressed home in the centre and on the right and routed two units of Visigoth cavalry but suffered further casualties were unable to pass their 50% casualties break test.

Earlier on Boxing Day we played a Samnite versus Republican Roman 900 point, Clash of Spears game (see photo at the bottom of the post). This was pretty disappointing, not much chop at all, very WAB like and fiddly. Craig thought they've overcooked the command and control as there seemed to be more counters than figures on the table.

Visigoth infantry charge on the right flank

Saxon left flank crumbles

The centre gets messy

Visigoth cavalry are charged in the flank

Saxons fail test for 50% casualties

Visigoths repel the Saxon attack

Samnite vs Republican Romans Clash of Spears game

Goth Noble Cavalry

I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy gaming, painting and blogging for 2020! Here are some Goth Noble cavalry with LBM shield transfers from the Gripping Beast plastic set. This is basically the same set as the Late Roman Heavy Cavalry one with different head and helmet options. I've gone with dry, burnt grass basing on these figures as I want to use them as Vandals in North Africa as well.

I backed the Kickstarter for Clash of Spears, a new set of ancient skirmish rules and today received an advanced pdf copy of the rules. The hard copy is suppose to be released in February next year. I'm looking forward to reading and trying these out. First impression it looks to be a really nice set, 156 pages, lavishly produced with great photos and illustrations, it reminds me of the old WAB supplements.

Spartans versus Athenians ADLG Game

View of the table from the Spartan lines

Side view

Both sides advance

Athenians and allies right flank

Athenians and allies centre

Spartans and allies right flank

Spartan centre

Spartans and allies left flank

Left flank charges

Spartans close in the centre

Last Sunday Craig, Garry, Rick, Gary and I met down at the Vikings Club and played a 200 point Spartans versus Athenians ADLG game. Craig and Garry commanded the Athenians and allies, while Rick and I commanded the Spartans and allies and Gary sat out the game as a spectator due to potential work commitments. This turned out to be a real thrashing for the Spartans due to consistently bad dice rolling and the Athenians suffered very few casualties at all.

Spartan right flank takes casualties from archers

Side view of the battle

Action in the centre

Athenian pig in a poke

Spartan left flank and centre

Spartan right flank starts to crumble 

Casualties mount in the centre

Athenian cavalry threaten the Spartan left flank

It's only a matter of time...

Spartan centre collapses

Spartan Hoplites

Here are some Wargames Foundy Spartan Hoplites that I've just finished painting. I think the musician figure is Gorgon Studios. Anyway they will see action tomorrow down at the Vikings Club as we have a Spartan versus Athenian hoplite bash lined up for the last club game of the year.

Early Seleucids versus Galatians DBA Game

Galatian attackers deployed

Seleucid defenders advance

Galatian warbands

I haven't played a DBA game for years but did pick up Version 3 when it came out about five years ago. Earlier today I played a solo game with my Early Seleucids versus the Galatians. Surprisingly, the Galatians won easily, destroying four Seleucid elements, without losing any casualties themselves. Lucky dice rolling and the fact that the Seleucid pike didn't get in combat at all, assisted the cause. It was fun to get my 15mm out and roll some dice, despite the long break in playing the rules.

Galatian cavalry and chariots force Seleucids to recoil

Seleucid light horse and elephant are destroyed

Galatians are victorious