My first impressions of the rules were very promising. It is easy to pick up and the text is very funny. I have Lion Rampant but have yet to play it.
I picked out two 35 point warbands and have bound to have made some errors. As usual the light in my gaming room is shocking so excuse the dodgy photos.
Forest Dwellers lead by Saffron (her stripper name} who is charmed
Next up 2 units of Scouts
And a unit of Satyr Scouts
Infantry was 2 units of Light Foot, one with offensive option
A unit of Elite Foot
A unit of Belicose foot
Finally a unit of Harpies - Flying Light foot
The opposition was a Mycenean Warband lead by Agamemnon in a unit of elite foot and a Brutal leader
They had 2 units of Heavy Foot
2 units of Light Missile troops - archers and slingers
A unit of Chariots, elite riders
Finally the Stygian Witches as spell casters
The battle was for control of the temple with the side that controls the magic faraway tree in the middle for 3 unchallenged turns winning
The Forest Dwellers started first and the action began on their left wing with one unit of Scouts defending a wood against a unit of Greek Heavy foot.
The Greeks attached, the Scouts evaded and removed 2 strength points causing the Greeks to retreat.
In the centre the Harpies attacked the 2nd Greek Heavy Foot but were pushed back. If the battle is a draw the attackers are forced to retreat (which is fine) but I think they become battered (which will be a problem later)
The Greeks formed a Wall of Spears as Saffron advanced
There were lots of very short turns at the start of the battle as I kept failing activation. It is important to plan your turn properly, which is good.
The battle was starting to focus on the centre as the forces struggled for control of the temple
Back on the left the Greeks recovered and drove the scouts out of the woods
On the right it was a shoot out between the Witches and Archers and Scouts and Satyrs. The Archers and Witches got the upper hand due to failed activation roles by the forest dwellers
Saffron attacked in centre and drove the Greeks back but took enough hits to make her hang back
The Witches were having a great time casting spells on a unit of Light Foot, keeping them out of contact
The Chariots finally activated and launched an attack on the Forest Elite foot
The Foot beat the Chariots (both elites) and the Chariots retreat and are Battered.
Up till now the rules were great, simple, taxing and pretty realistic. The armour rating was particularly effective. However I now have a problem with the rules. If a combat is drawn then the attackers retreat (fine) but as I read the rules they become battered.
The now battered chariots (even though they passed their courage test) were immediately attacked by the Elite Foot and stomped on. However they then passed their courage test and even though they only had 1 strength point left the Elite Foot with 4 strength points had to retreat and were Battered. They were then attacked by some heavy foot and beaten up. Again the elite foot passed their courage test and the heavy foot retreated and were battered.
This all seems wrong. I don't mind that the attackers retreat but I do mind that they become battered even though they passed their courage test. In the future if they pass their test the retreating unit will not be battered.
Meanwhile Saffron had wandered to the Magic Faraway Tree and won the battle.
Overall the rules are great and work very well and unless anyone has a better suggestion I will not batter retreating attackers who pass their courage test.
Dragon Rampant is now my go to set of Fantasy rules, in fact all large scale battles pre gun powder
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