Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: sukhe_bator on March 07, 2016, 10:10:04 AM
-
Over the weekend there was a short 2-3hour window where I had the opportunity to try out Lion Rampant rules for the first time with my son. We opted to play out the ‘Hold on Tight’ scenario using my Gondorian and Haradrim forces fighting for possession of a river crossing.
The Terrain
Our usual playing table is a 3’ x 6’ dining table. I bisected the long side with some river sections. The river sections (seen here in another setting) were each 3” across and counted as rough ground. (http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/IMAG1021_zpse26cb15c.jpg)
The scratchbuilt medieval stone bridge made the river 9” wide.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/IMAG1014_zpsc731ccb3.jpg)
On either side a small wood was placed on opposite quarters, with a rocky hill on the other quarter of the Gondorian side.
The White Tree (22pts)
6 Dismounted Men at Arms @6pts *
12 Foot serjeants @4pts
12 Foot serjeants with mixed weapons @6pts
12 Archers @4pts
6 Skirmishers (Ithilien rangers) @2pts
The Black Serpent (20pts)
6 Mounted ‘serjeants’ @4pts
12 Foot serjeants @4pts *
12 Foot serjeants @4pts
12 Archers (Expert) @6pts
Skirmishers @2pts
The battle commences
After a delayed start by the Captain’s own unit, the Harad infantry advanced, though the archers on the right of the main body proved particularly truculent. As Expert troops they were the most expensive unit which was not only galling but placed the whole Harad attack in jeopardy.
The Harad skirmishers swept through the woods on the right flank unhindered to gain the rough ground to the right of the bridgehead.
The Harad cavalry dashed ahead in a bid to gain the bridge first. This was a rash move as it turned out since they arrived without any fire support.
We diced for ‘initiative’ since we could not decide who would be the attacker, though more careful reading of the deployment might have resulted in Harad moving first. The Gondorians won the roll but their foot also showed some initial reluctance to advance and sporadic hesitancy among the units resulted in some jostling for the position of honour first on the bridge. This created something of a logjam on the narrow approach. Meanwhile the Ithilien skirmishers were first to gain the riverbank to the left hand of the bridge. First blood went to them since they were in position to rain a withering fire on the advancing Harad cavalry. With half their number killed in the first salvo the cavalry were halted in their tracks, failed their courage test and beat a retreat back in the direction they’d come. Two turns later they rallied and by this time the lone survivor gamely advanced only to be picked off by Gondorian archers who had by now gained the riverbank next to their skirmishing brethren.
The Harad skirmishers gained the river bank not long after the Ithiliens, but rather than trying to eliminate these, instead apparently stopped in full view of the enemy, posed for selfies and admired the scenery. They soon discovered standing in the open with only armour 1 was reckless endangerment when the Ithiliens rolled 10/12 hits! As the sagas go “and the rivers ran red with their blood” as the entire unit was wiped out.
Meanwhile the Harad Captain led the first foot unit onto the bridge to be met by the spearmen of Gondor. Once again Ithilien archers proved decisive as Harad advanced. The Gondorians charged home and traded blows and the combined assault forced the Harad foot to retreat with the Captain narrowly escaping a Lucky blow.
Despite their best efforts and much to the disappointment of all neither Captain came close enough to issue a challenge.
The Harad archers at this point finally woke up long enough to let fly a volley at the advancing Gondorians but despite their expertise only managed to inflict the sole Gondorian casualty of the game, otherwise performing dismally.
The Gondorians having twice beaten Harad entirely off the bridge, with the Harad leader’s own unit battered and in retreat and half his force shot to death, the scenario was concluded a Gondorian victory, though Harad did clock up 0.5 points for turning up under strength.
All in all we were both very impressed with the simplicity and playability of the rules. Neither of us occasional gamers are renowned for rule retention, but my son was pleasantly surprised he could remember some aspects with relative ease. The mechanics were simple and reminded me of the playability of DBA without feeling too generic. With effectively each figure dicing it felt like each model had a part to play in the combat, rather than just being some abstract rank filler.
With hindsight, given the effectiveness of skirmishers even without adopting ‘skirmish’ orders, Harad should at least have invested in a second skirmish unit. Had we replayed the scenario, I would have been tempted to throw the Harad cavalry across the river (which we both deemed fordable but only at half movement for all units). This would have taken them only 2 turns, but they would have done so only with fire support. I might also have counted the bridge parapets as partial cover.
Timing is obviously important and marshalling units into position effectively only half the equation. We both made rookie deployment mistakes, but agreed this was a most enjoyable ruleset that we would be using again soon.
-
Kudos for squeezing in a game of LR Sukhe! Encouraged you enjoyed the rules.
(Funny enough, I did something similar with LotR models this weekend - but with the Dux Britanniarum rules. I'll post AAR and bad pictures tonight or tomorrow. Getting gathered up for business travel to Denver.)
Cheers!
-
Yep we thoroughly enjoyed it. Also the lack of admin was a bonus for occasional players like ourselves...
Looking forward to a time when I use LR for ASOIAF battles, I see there is no artillery provision in LR. Q. Is there facility in DR for artillery? At the Battle of the Fords, Edmure Tully deploys 'scorpions' a.k.a. ballistae... If not, what are people's thoughts on LR adaptations to include these?
I'm also thinking about attacks on Holdfasts etc. so not necessarily full blown siege rules, but some FIBUA adaptations or house rules?
Looking forward to hearing all about your Dux scrap DG.
-
Sounds like a great game. One thing that struck me from reading it was that the Ithilien rangers must have rolled some extraordinary dice - 9 hits out of 12 (needing 5 or better on the dice) against the Haradrim cavalry, and then 10 out of 12 against the other skirmishers!
Looking forward to a time when I use LR for ASOIAF battles, I see there is no artillery provision in LR. Q. Is there facility in DR for artillery? At the Battle of the Fords, Edmure Tully deploys 'scorpions' a.k.a. ballistae... If not, what are people's thoughts on LR adaptations to include these?
Jon_1066 had some thoughts on this here (http://duxrampant.yuku.com/topic/516/War-Machines#.Vt2hwoTfjww). As I said in that thread, I think the loose units of LR/DR would make scorpions or the like less effective than against massed ranks. The easiest way to do them would be as reduced-model Heavy Missiles (crossbowmen) - a battery of three, say, instead of 12 men. You could also add the Venomous upgrade from DR to make them (much!) more deadly (reflecting stopping power rather than poison).
-
Yep, my son had the luck of the Irish that day. I like Armies of Arcana because low dice rolls are more deadly - and I have that kind of luck. My son on the other hand usually rolls 4s and above at regular intervals... The Ithilien skirmishers acted like they had machine guns that game!
Needless to say my Haradrim archers 1) refused to move 2) chronically misfired and 3) my units broke...:'(
I will check out Jon_1066's ideas. I like what I am hearing so far...
-
Luck favoured the sons of Numenor this time round! Really like that bridge.
-
Reading thru other people's experiences of LR I noticed a glaring omission on our part...not surprising given our track record and it being only a first pass of the rules ::)
Do the rules seriously mean that if the first unit you choose to activate fails to do so, the turn passes to your opponent?
Does this then swap back and forth unit all units on both sides have been tested?
-
It means that the turn is finished for you completely and your opposing side can activate all his troops in sucession as log as he doesn't fail to activate either!!
-
Ouch! :o :o :o
That would have really changed the game!
Thanks for clarifying tomrommel1. I will relay this to my erstwhile opponent and look for the shocked reaction on his face! lol
Can't wait to have another bash with that in mind. Having said that knowing my luck with die rolls my retinue might as well sit down on the edge of the deployment zone and surrender on turn1!
-
That's right - a failed activation (excluding Rallies and Wild Charges) ends a player's turn.
The slate is wiped clean with each turn. So you could choose to activate your most reliable unit first each time.
It's a great rule, I think, because it creates all sorts of interesting command-and-control dilemmas: if you focus on your best troops, you may end up leaving them isolated, for example. It also means that forces tend to move unevenly, with unexpected delays and a convincing "fog of war".
It also means that turns tend to be short and sharp.
-
I can see the attraction...
Thank you Hobgoblin, that's given me quite something to think about...
It means that the missile troops are potentially even more fickle than I imagined!
Tell me if I'm reading it wrong, but am I correct in thinking there no modifier for having a leader present in a unit if you wish to activate it? Surely having a commander kicking butt would count for something?
-
Interesting report and discussion, thanks. 8)
And I really like that medieval bridge! :-*
-
Thanks guys
The bridge is one of my very first modelling projects more years ago than I care to say. It started life as a quick mock up in expanded polysterene and card covered in polyfilla for ECW games. Then I rather rashly decided to clad the entire thing in Milliput and sculpted the stonework and cobbles.
When I developed the idea of the stony riverbanks for a LoTR 'Fords of Isen' scenario, I created a sabot base so I could incorporate the bridge as well. Now it's ideal for Westeros and I hope to have lots of bannermen traipsing back and forth over it in the not too distant future...
-
Gents, Dan Mersey gave out some artillery guidelines on the Dux Rampant Forum... which covers LR and DR under its wings: http://duxrampant.yuku.com/topic/69/Boom-shake-the-room-Artillery#.Vt67bpwrJ48
You could tinker with those to get the effects you want maybe?
:)
-
Great advice Arlequin. I'll take a gander :D
-
I had an opportunity to replay the Lion Rampant ‘Hold on Tight’ scenario at the weekend. This time my erstwhile opponent was my daughter who valiantly stepped in proving herself a redoubtable shieldmaiden.
Once again the White Tree was pitted against the Black Serpent fighting for possession of a strategic river crossing. This time the forces were equally matched at 16pts each and I had opportunity to field a unit of fierce foot in the shape of my axe wielding Easterlings
The Terrain
As with the previous encounter, this was a 3’ x 6’ dining table. I bisected the long side with some river sections. The river sections were each 3” across and counted as rough ground. The river was fordable at half movement to all units. On either side a small wood was placed on opposite quarters, with a rocky hill on the other quarter of the Gondorian side.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1799_zpsgiq7wywf.jpg)
The White Tree (16pts)
6 Dismounted Men at Arms @6pts *
12 Foot serjeants @4pts
12 Archers @4pts
6 Skirmishers (Ithilien rangers) @2pts
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1801_zpswtcqvmqw.jpg)
The Black Serpent (16pts)
12 Foot serjeants @4pts *
12 Archers (Expert) @6pts
12 Fierce Foot @ 4pts
Skirmishers @2pts
Skirmishers @2pts
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1798_zpstibqqgrg.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Haradrim/IMAG0511.jpg)
The battle commences
Unlike the previous encounter, both sides seemed eager for combat and there was little or no hesitation on either side. The Gondorians won the initiative roll and advanced purposefully for the bridge.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1804_zpstoffsujo.jpg)
The Harad spearmen infantry advanced resolutely, accompanied by the archers. The Harad skirmishers on either side of the main infantry body moved ahead while the Easterlings swept through the woods on the right flank unhindered to gain the rough ground to the right of the bridgehead.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1805_zpsiramlnmk.jpg)
Once again the Ithilien skirmishers were fleetest of foot and gained the riverbank to the left hand of the bridge. First blood went to them since they were in position to fire upon the Harad skirmishers on the opposite bank, killing two and forcing them to retire briefly. The Ithiliens turned their attention to the Easterlings who having gained the riverbank attempted a flanking movement. They took a couple of casualties while in midstream and were forced back, but rallied next move.
The Harad Captain meanwhile led the spearmen onto the bridge supported by covering fire from the archers. Ill-timed hesitation on the part of the Gondorian archers enabled them to advance over halfway.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1810_zpsjv840mru.jpg)
The Ithiliens were driven back by a timely salvo from their Harad counterparts and were driven off their perch.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1811_zpsqoc4e2vw.jpg)
On the other side of the bridge, Harad archery inflicted a steady trickle of casualties on the Gondorian archers, despite being at long range and the targets in partial cover. Seizing the moment the Harad captain charged before the archers had a chance to recover driving them back. The Gondorian archers held their composure though and fired an effective salvo into the enemy spearmen. The Harad captain escaped injury.
At this point the Gondorian captain, having brought up all his forces, came close enough to issue a personal challenge, confident in his ‘Strong’ leadership qualities. Despite the opportunity to reroll one of his hits however, the valiant but unlucky Gondorian captain was felled by a single decisive blow, causing Gondor to test their courage.
The fate of their Captain emboldened rather than disheartened the men of the White Tree. The archers sidestepped allowing the foot knights to charge to avenge their fallen leader.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1812_zpsceq6tq1z.jpg)
After a savage trading of blows in which the knights lost several men, the Gondorians succeeded in beating back Harad, encouraged on their way by a volley from the archers. The Harad captain was forced to retreat entirely off the bridge with half his unit killed.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1815_zpsvnz71bt3.jpg)
By this time the Easterlings had gained the far riverbank, but were alone. Harad had lost 12 killed, while Gondor had lost 9, including their leader. Their forces, though bloodied, were largely intact. Harad had effectively lost its main striking force, and could only really trade insults, without the issue being decided by a lengthy counterattack across the river. Gondor had beaten off the attack and were still more than capable of repelling the Easterlings, so the issue at this point was declared a draw.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Lion%20Rampant/IMAG1813_zpswanhsm8m.jpg)
My daughter (who is even more of an occasional gamer than my son) was also impressed with the simplicity and playability of the rules. Having ironed out some of the kinks from our first match, I am appreciating this ruleset even more!
-
A nice couple of reports and a great bridge.
We have been playing Lion Rampant and Dragon Rampant quite a lot recently. Obviously a lot of historical, but it has also given me the incentive to dig out some long-unused fantasy armies. Goblins and wargs raiding the Shire, Elves kicking goblin butt in the foothills of the Misty Mountains, Chronopia Stygian and Devout giving each other a good smacking. All great fun and a very versatile rule system.
-
Ha! Two games in a row? You have it now, Sukhe! ;)
Great to see some photos Say a little about the source minis - particularly your Gondorians and your Serpent Warriors - whose shields are ace.
And what are those guys in the close up with the hide shields. They look like useful proxies!
-
At Dilettante Gamer's request...
Gondorian MAA and archers are a mixture of mostly Foundry feudals with some GW Bretonnians thrown in for good measure. The Foot knights are all Foundry and the Gondor Captain the freebie Richard Lionheart figure given out at one of the past Salute shows.
The Harad Captain is the Saint George figure from one of the Salute shows, while the spearmen are mostly Gripping Beast Arabs from their El Cid range. This is them at full strength ;)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Haradrim/DSC03242-1.jpg)
While I've marshalled heir round shielded comrades into another regiment
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Haradrim/Haradriminfantry1.jpg)
The 12 man archer unit mostly Roman Eastern Auxiliaries from Foundry?
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Haradrim/EasternAuxiliaryarchers.jpg)
(I've had them a long time), the skirmishers with the hide shields Gripping Beast Desert Nomads. The other skirmishers are Persian archers, while the 12 man unit of Easterlings are Black Tree Design Kurdish warriors with a medley of medieval Russian axes etc. as substitute weapons... I have a fair number of these, and another batch of these on order who I plan to convert into Easterlings/Dunlendings. Despite the fact there are only about 4 poses, these chaps are surprisingly versatile figures...
-
Nice AAR. And the great choice of figures looks like it led to an atmospheric outing to Middle Earth. Good work.
-
Nice report!!! You are lucky to have kids who play with you!!!