[Open Combat] Halflings versus Skeletons

[Manchu]

Played my first couple of games this evening.

I used the suggested stat lines for Halflings and Skeletons with the following adjustments:  all the Halflings had the Evade skill, the Haflings had a standard bearer with the Inspire skill, the Halfling leader had an extra point of Fortitude, and the Skeleton Leader had the Intimidate ability. The Skeletons had three sword and shield bros, three spear and shield bros, and three bow bros. The Halflings had one fella with two daggers, two with halberds and daggers, two with spears and daggers, and two with bows, one who whom also had a dagger. In the first game, the Haflings deployed at the center of the table and the Skeltons deployed in two groups on either side. To be fair, each aide only needed one more kill to cinch it but it happened to be the Skeletons’ turn.

We felt like the Halflings were just too gooey with Defense 1 and only Fortitude 2. So in the second game, we bumped them up to Defense 2, switched the standard bearer’s Inspire skill to Enrage, gave the Halfling leader the Intimidate skill, and switched the Skeleton leader’s Intimidate skill to Distract. This time, both side deployed six inches in along their respective board edge; we took turns placing figures. The outcome was each side deployed in two groups, The Halflings hung back as the Skeletons marched across the field. A Skeleton archer quite luckily picked off the Haflings archer on one flank, allowing the Skeltons to sweep in a pincher from both sides as the Halflings formed up to take both groups. The Halflings took good advantage of their polearms to make up for their lower Speed and hobbled a Skeleton with the leader’s Intimidate skill but rolled a critical failure, used a leadership re-roll, but still got the critical failure, losing initiative. Although the Halflings had struck down two Skeletons, good rolling allowed the bone bros to catch up quickly and again the pace of the killing favored them.

Enjoy the pics!

[Supercollider]

Great report, fantastic table and minis: thanks for sharing!

[Sunjester]

Excellent photos of some great terrain and figures. Where are the ruins from?

[Manchu]

Terrain all courtesy of this talented gentleman.

[boneio]

Lovely figures and table, and one of my favourite ruleset too!

[Andym]

Love the scenery! That is amazing!

[Bloggard]

Great report, fantastic table and minis: thanks for sharing!

+1 

[has.been]

Don't know about the rules, but the game looks great.
Love the scenery.

[Grumpy Gnome]

I am unfamiliar with the game but your minis and terrain look great!

[Manchu]

If you’d like to learn more about Open Combat, the rules are published by a one-man company called Second Thunder. The YT channel Skirmish Wargames recently posted a vid introducing the rules and demonstrating play here:

[AKULA]

Stunning terrain