Samurai using Pikeman's Lament. Latest painted figures. Page 4

[has.been]

Combine several things:-
A file-box full of painted, but unused by me, Samurai figures,
A happiness with rules like Pikeman's Lament,
Question from fellow LAFer, 'Anyone used PL for Samurai games',
and being pointed to an article that had tried that (Wargames,
Soldiers & Strategy issue 92, Rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate).

Net result = a bit of painting (6 figures), some rebasing (9 figures)
and one bridge (red) led to todays game.

Here are some views of the battlefield, before the action.

 

[Grumpy Gnome]

Looking good!

[has.been]

Thanks Rick.
I played Takeda Shingen, leading the Takeda Clan,
Vodkafan played Mouri Hiromoto, leading the Mouri Clan.

Both armies were basically the same:-
Dismounted Samurai (6 figures) x 2,
Ronin (12 figures),
Ashigaru, Yari(Spear) armed (12 figures),
Archers (6 figures),
The difference was a unit of mounted Samurai (6 figures) for the Mouri,
& some Warrior Monks led by a mad old priest, Saishi Jakku (which if
google translate is even close, means Father Jack) for the Takeda.

We used the Ga Pa mission, straight forward slug it out, with the
suggested option that all troops had to pass a move activation to
get onto the battlefield.

I got to start the games, as befits a noble Samurai I led the first unit
onto the field, only ashigaru, but loyal followers.
Then the Monks, led by Father Jack cursing as he advanced, 'Feck!'.
next the archers , dismounted Samurai & Ronin.
The article didn't give stats for Ronin, so I classified them as slightly
less enthusiastic as the Samurai, they were classified as Aggressive
Forlorn Hope, so I made the Ronin just Forlorn Hope.

[Digits]

Looks great guys.....those are VERY nicely painted mine!   Won’t be matching those but looking forward to having a go.

[has.been]

James then brought on the Mouri.
Leading his much vaunted Cavalry.
He heads toward my Monks. I didn't know it then, but James had
chosen as his secret mission, 'I dislike the cut of their Jib' & to
destroy the order of Monks.

Meanwhile on my right wing three of my units close in on his lone
Ronin unit. James had been very unlucky with persuading his troops
to turn up.
His Ronin throw what turns out to be the first of many double ones
in our game. This is bad news for them as instead of advancing, as
James wanted them to do, they threw a 4 and... advanced ??
Must look at amending that possibility.
On my left everything is going to plan. I am getting close enough to
issue a personal challenge, my personal mission.

But then James (following his mission) charges the Monks.
But Father Jack's boys fight him to a draw, he has to retire,
then he fails his moral throw. More withdrawal and becomes,
'Wavering'.  The battle is there for me to win it, if only I can
issue a challenge.

[has.been]

Thanks David, but I only painted 6 of the figures on show.
Andy Tailor (with whom I long ago lost contact) painted them
up for a friend, Geoff. He very kindly gave them to me a few
years ago. They have been glowering at me from the shelves ever since.

I offer the challenge, James thinks about refusing but accepts.
The two commanders close & fight...
and I lose !!!!!
Shingen Takeda's limp body is carried from the field. The Ashigaru
are terrified (cue double ones for their moral throw).

Cheer up, I think, It could be worse...

[has.been]

...and it did get worse!
James sent in his left wing Samurai against the Monks.
First he won the melee, then I lost my moral throw.
Monks running in every direction!!!!!

[has.been]

On his left James decides to attack with his Ronin before
I have a chance to surround him. No winners in this fight,
he has to retire as it was a draw, but I fail my morale &
also retire.

As we approach the final stages of the battle, even more
double ones. Funnily though we hardly saw any double sixes.

My left wing Samurai rout his right wing Samurai,
My right wing Samurai rout his Ronin,
My Archers fail to fire (need 7 !) & throw 4 on the result table
and advance towards his left wing Samurai ?? (Got to change
that result table).
My left wing samurai rout.
As the dust clears it is James that has to admit defeat.
Good game, good laughs.
Will I play the rules again?    Yes, but with a few changes.

On the 'double six' table replace the '3' result with 'Ninja attack'
Three ninjas (well it just so happens I have 3 Ninjas for each faction)
attack the opposition leader. 3xD6  5= a hit  6=two hits. No point
keeping the 'First salvo' bonus as in the Samurai modifications first
salvo bonus doesn't happen.
On the 'double one' table replace the '4' result with similar, but
against YOUR commander.
As we were using all available figures the '6' result on the double 6
table was to be replaced with a choice. Either bring back (from the
'dead' up to four points of troops  OR Dice again.

Oh, and lower the shoot score for archers, from '7' to a '5'.

Now to prepare for another game with these (modified) rules.

[has.been]

And, before anyone comments on the fact that we had separate
Commander figures (rules say they simply replace one figure in
the unit) well we had those very nice figures that would otherwise
have just sat in their box. That would have been a crying shame.
Same applies to father Jack.

[jambo1]

Lovely looking game and it looked fun as well. Lovely painting on the figures too, the Dixons are not for everyone but I think they look brilliant.

[has.been]

Thanks Jambo. As I kept back 12 Harquebus, all Dixon, for
myself to paint, I will have to see if I can do a passable job.
Ah well they are peasants, so don't have to look spectacular.

[Zingara]

Great looking game. Glad you have finally an excuse to use such great figures - and a game against an opponent - even better!!

[has.been]

Cheers Gregor. I'm still waiting for the next update of your campaign.

[mmcv]

Looks like a lot of fun was had!

[has.been]

Looks like a lot of fun was had!

We do aim for that in our games, & often manage it.
We don't want to game for stress, too much of that
in the real world.