Poles vs Swedes, the October 2012 game
Well, once everything was set up, I got the first few move cards to cooperate (I pulled come cavalry in the open moves) and the Cossacks that started on my left moved forward, hoping to draw out the Swedish horse.
So here it is, the opening gambit of the Cossacks. Left alone, they would flank the Swedes two lines, overrun the artillery, rummage the baggage wagons, ensconce with the more nubile camp followers...well, you get the idea.
Well, Thomas, upright world citizen that he is, would have none of that! He launched a unit of blonde sword and pistol armed cavaliers (oops, too far east for that nonsense) against the unwashed vodka drinkers.
In the photos, the Cossacks are skirmish order, giving them a benefit in movement, but lowering their ability to melee. As it turned out, they were caught by the Swedes and defeated in melee. Then the Swedish cavalry checked and failed to rally from pursuit. In fact the Swedish cavalry chased the defeated Cossacks off the table. Tactically, the Cossacks had done their job; the Swedes had one 'real cavalry' unit and a unit of dragoons left to face the Polish mounted troops. All five of them; and the Polish dragoons, too.
The remaining Swedish horse was following in support of its successful leading unit when a unit of pancerni, a type of Polish mail clad cavalry armed with bows, lances, swords and or pistols, caught the Swedes in the flank. The Polish army deck included an extra 'cavalry move in the open' card. The extra move can be a double edged sword, but did help in this case to gain the Swedish flank. The defeat of the Swedes also caused the Poles to pursue, but the Swedish right flank was now stripped of cavalry....with the Swedish guns devoid of foot or mounted support.
Thomas looked somewhat worried, whilst his center, full of untouched infantry, stood ready to advance. I suggested to him the real strength of his army needed to move forward and engage...I'd hardly be able to stop it with my foot units. The Swedish foot potentially fires better and more often than the Polish foot. There were also nine Swedish units to four Polish units. Such is the difference in the emphasis on the arms in the two different forces.
The Swedish foot units, lead by the elite units crashed into my line which ineffectually shot at them as they came into range. Hmmf, that's what I get for giving good advice...and rolling lousy on the dice!
While Thomas' right was gone, my center would soon melt away. In Anchor of Faith shooting causes stands to first be 'discomfited' with a threshold to passed in these before the unit is considered to have stands lost. They do however lose morale when hit by shooting. I was bleeding morale chips from losses faster than I inflicted at this point.
I wasn't too worried, the evening's clock was on my side. Also, for my pride, I had five untouched units of cavalry at eleven pm. And that includes the two units of Winged Hussars. Eleven pm came and I and the Poles went.
So we both had a good time, Thomas got a chance at Anchor of Faith and I got in a nice long evening game while getting to look at some of his wonderfully well done troops. The Swede's foot are tough to face for the Poles, but then the Swedes need to be very careful of the Polish Horse.
Thomas mentioned he'd like to see the Ottomans in action. Hmm, 'mebbe' he will. No doubt he'll see the Poles again as well.
Well, Thomas, upright world citizen that he is, would have none of that! He launched a unit of blonde sword and pistol armed cavaliers (oops, too far east for that nonsense) against the unwashed vodka drinkers.
Upstanding Swedes versus vicious Cossack raiders.
In the photos, the Cossacks are skirmish order, giving them a benefit in movement, but lowering their ability to melee. As it turned out, they were caught by the Swedes and defeated in melee. Then the Swedish cavalry checked and failed to rally from pursuit. In fact the Swedish cavalry chased the defeated Cossacks off the table. Tactically, the Cossacks had done their job; the Swedes had one 'real cavalry' unit and a unit of dragoons left to face the Polish mounted troops. All five of them; and the Polish dragoons, too.
Thomas looked somewhat worried, whilst his center, full of untouched infantry, stood ready to advance. I suggested to him the real strength of his army needed to move forward and engage...I'd hardly be able to stop it with my foot units. The Swedish foot potentially fires better and more often than the Polish foot. There were also nine Swedish units to four Polish units. Such is the difference in the emphasis on the arms in the two different forces.
While Thomas' right was gone, my center would soon melt away. In Anchor of Faith shooting causes stands to first be 'discomfited' with a threshold to passed in these before the unit is considered to have stands lost. They do however lose morale when hit by shooting. I was bleeding morale chips from losses faster than I inflicted at this point.
I wasn't too worried, the evening's clock was on my side. Also, for my pride, I had five untouched units of cavalry at eleven pm. And that includes the two units of Winged Hussars. Eleven pm came and I and the Poles went.
So we both had a good time, Thomas got a chance at Anchor of Faith and I got in a nice long evening game while getting to look at some of his wonderfully well done troops. The Swede's foot are tough to face for the Poles, but then the Swedes need to be very careful of the Polish Horse.
Thomas mentioned he'd like to see the Ottomans in action. Hmm, 'mebbe' he will. No doubt he'll see the Poles again as well.
Comments
My fearless prediction, the Swedes in the open will be tough. Against terrain and an enemy general who knows the weaknesses, a more even game will happen. Thomas' atillery was exposed, but mine was overrun!