'Saki Rugas' (Samurai game with Pikeman's Lament)

[has.been]

Pictures are:
Layout of the table, Takeda will deploy to the right,
Mouri far left & mad monks near left.
The Monks.
Clan Mouri.
Clan Takeda.

[has.been]

The intro to the scenario.

[has.been]

That was my first attempt to attach a word document.
I (think) you guys should be able to open it, just click
on the link. Let me know if this is not true (& how to
correct it).
Meanwhile more pictures:-
Takeda leads a Samurai unit into the village (past some brand new pots).
He is followed by his other Samurai unit.
Mouri Ashigaru start to cross the stream.
The Monks, under the watchful eye of Father Jack, wait.
Takeda Archers advance up to the bridge, but opt to NOT cross.
Takeda Ashigaru wade through the paddy fields.

[has.been]

Takeda himself reaches the bridge, but like the archers
before him, declines to cross. This might well be due to
Father Jack (Dicemaster) keeping his Arquebus unit within
range of the bridge.
Father Jack then deploys his mounted Samurai on the river bank.
We then see the whole of the Mouri clan advancing.
Takeda wheels his Ashigaru to meet this threat. They are
already weakened (Father Jack's Arquebus men) 3 dead
& the unit wavering (note the cute bunny rabbits which
are markers for this). Mouri anchors his left flank on the
hedge & his right on the stream, then waits. The Monks
are whittling his opposition  for him, why hurry?
One of Father Jack's Ninja surveys possible targets from
his vantage point on the Temple roof.

[has.been]

On Takeda's right he manoeuvres his Ashigaru to try
& outflank Mouri, while on his left he tries to catch
Father Jack's mounted Samurai as the move across
the stream, but the use the option to counter-charge.
The melee is swift and very bloody. Both sides withdraw
& will take no further part in this fight.
Mouri has come within challenge range of Takeda & loudly
questions Takeda's honour & Parentage. The duel is on!
Mouri fails to register a single hit on Takeda. Takeda is
not so generous & Mouri falls (We later find out he was
wounded but rescued by loyal troops). Mouri clan morale
takes a beating, but they keep on fighting.
Their foot Samurai cross the hedge, but this turns out to
be the last move the clan makes against Takeda.
They then turn on the Monks, who had been inflicting
most of the casualties Takeda suffered. At this point I
called it as a Takeda victory.   

[has.been]

Thanks to the players:-
Takeda, JC
Mouri, Flatpack &
Mad Monks, Dicemaster.
None of them had played a Samurai using a (slightly)
modified Pikeman's lament rules, though they have played
a few ECW games using it. They seemed to take to it well,
& I hope enjoyed it, maybe not enough to rush out &
buy a Samurai Clan  though.

The rules (I think) work reasonably well for a Samurai game.
We (Vodkafan & myself) have made only a few amendments.
If anyone is interested I will say what they were. 

[flatpack]

Mouri troops in battle.
Some photos from my wing of the battle.

Troops advancing to attack.

Mouri troops cross the river.


Mouri troops up for it.






Mouri troops turn on the mad monks. No good sitting around doing nothing in a battle.


One to one came out badly for the Mouri leader, but even though he was thrown from his horse, he was recovered by his own troops, and lives to fight another day.


Good game, played in the right spirit. Cheers Pete for inviting us.

[has.been]

Thanks for posting your pictures Bob.
I didn't get over to your side of the table enough. 

[Rusty72]

Great looking game, very vibrant.

I would be interested in what tweaks you made for this period.

[has.been]

This is what started us off.

https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=130575.msg1654913#msg1654913

The basis was the afore mentioned article in Wargames,
Soldiers & Strategy. Thankfully Vodkafan got me a copy.
If getting hold of that is a problem for you,
I can note the main points.
We did a few 'tweaks' of our own & if you want I can list
those too.
It has encouraged three games over a few weeks.
Before they had sat on the shelf, looking pretty but
un-used for decades.
I recommend people to give it a go.

[Rusty72]

Thanks has.been, I will see if ican pick up a copy.

[has.been]

Thanks has.been, I will see if ican pick up a copy.

Let me know if you can't.
I can list the basics (plus our own amendments).