Basically it was a line up and charge game, as most battles were until 1500 or later, and using TtS meant there was little room for any complicated manoeuvring...perfect for a sociable Friday evening game! Rick and I led the four commands of the Sassanid army whilst Julian went solo with four commands of Byzantines. The main aim was for the Byzantines to seize and hold the hill in the centre of the table as they wished to build a fort there. The Sassanid army simply had to prevent them successfully occupying the position. The armies were pre set as per a map from Command and Color Medieval. Rick and I had relatively strong left and right wings but a weaker centre (very average infantry)
I won't give a blow by blow account, but will let the pictures tell the story. Suffice to say, with our slightly larger Sassanid army, we were able to wear down the Byzantine army morale (pile of coins as usual in TtS), We were successful on both wings and just managed to hold on in the centre, although our camp was overrun, costing us three lost coins! By the end, Julian dropped to zero and we had four coins left...so quite close run.
Photos below in order
The scenario in the book
Table view at start of game
The Sassanid line
The Byzantine line
Move one B cavalry take the hill
S right wing (my command) advances
S left wing under Rick
S left wing wins first clash
S archers on the left disordered after combat with B heavy infantry
The S right wing advances
The S left wing victorious ...only the B general survives
The B cavalry charge from the hill to threaten S camp
S right wing v's B left
S left wing achieve complete victory
B cavalry still hold the hill in the centre
B cavalry overrun our camp taking three coins
B cavalry advance off the hill
S right takes B infantry in the flank but fails to break them
Disordered S cataphracts
S left wing cavalry pursue B cavalry off the central hill
Final picture of the table from the same position as pic two above
Great looking game and simply stunning figures!
ReplyDeleteThanks James. Julian's dark ages collection is very extensive and beautifully painted
DeleteWow! This is an impressive sight! Must have been an enjoyable clash playing with such large armies.
ReplyDeleteYes it was a good game Jonathan ...although the armies were not as large by the time we finished!
DeleteThat looks great, and Julian has a lovely collection. I'm still yet to convince our group to give TtS a go, and am hoping to do so at some point in the coming year.
ReplyDeleteCheers Lawrence ...as alluded to, TtS give a quick, fun game...but if your group thinks there is any realism involved in moving toy soldiers around a tabletop, they probably won't appreciate the simplicity of TtS, as many things that happen don't really seem to relate to thing that might actually happen on a battlefield!
ReplyDeleteSheer mass I love it.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great game.
Cheers
Stu
Thanks Stu...we do tend to fill the table with figures!
DeleteA lovely and fun looking game... Keith
ReplyDeleteAll the best. Aly
Cheers Aly To the Strongest usually provide us with an entertaining game.
DeleteGreat battle report and outstanding pictures.
ReplyDeleteVery kind comments Mark although I used to do much better reports before having to use this crappy old iPad ! Some of the photos aren't the best either, due to the romantic subdued lighting in Julian's dining room...but appreciate your support!
DeleteLovely fun looking game with splendid figures!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Cheers Iain ... It was fun and the figures are very nicely painted.
DeleteReally nice looking game! I guess you had a lot of fun :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Dmitry...it's always fun when you are on the winning side...and sometimes even if you lose!
ReplyDelete