We had a small tournament at MOAB this year 5 players (4 Games). As two of us were new players and the other three had not played for a few months, play was probably a little slower than desirable. The more experienced players were very helpful, possibly at their own expense, but it did mean an enjoyable event for all, so thankyou to all.
The armies were
Mid Republican Rome 202BCE
Heian Japanese 794CE
Viking in Normandy + Early Feudal French Ally 939CE
Jarls of Orkney + Internal Highland and Norse allies 1030CE
Nikephorian Byzantine 1034CE
I tool Nikephorian Byzantine - Talented Floating Commander – Varangian Guard (6), Competent Commander - Tagmata (6) Kataphraktoi (6) Normans (6) Thematic (4), Competent Commander Skutatoi (6) Skutatoi (6) Rus Javelin (6) Bowman (6)
Game 1 vs Jarls of Orkney + Internal Highland and Norse allies
He had 12 Tugs with lots of 2HCT and Shieldwall, I managed to outscout 30% and deny any terrain (secured flank) that would limit the frontage. He deployed the massive shieldwall for the forward grind. I decided to target his allies on my left flank, I deployed all my cavalry on the left the infantry in the center with Varangians as the hinge between the Cav and Inf. The Thematic were held in reserve to plug any holes.
I charged on the left while refusing and wheeling my center. The Cavalry managed to break the left flank while my center held with some assistance due to his poor cards slowing him swinging around my right flank.
12pts to 4pts
Game 2 vs Heian Japanese
Another 12 plus Tug army all with bows. I managed to out scout by 110% and once again while a fair bit of terrain I denied any secure flanks. He deployed a long line of infantry and all his cavalry on his right flank, his left flank had the slightly poorer troops positioned on a hill. I decided to charge his left flank, although I was conceding a +1 uphill bonus, it was furthest from his cavalry. My cavalry after a slow start, smashed through his left flank and started rolling down the line. There was a standoff in the center while his cavalry got around my left flank and started to chew through my infantry.
10pts to 5pts
Game 3 vs Viking in Normandy + Early Feudal French Ally
On theme another large army, infantry poorer than the other Viking army but good cavalry support. Terrian had little affect. He ended up deploying his cavalry on his right flank, huscarls in the centre and poorer infantry on his left flank. I placed my Cavalry on my left flank opposing his cavalry and my infantry holding my center. I thought my Lancer Cavalry could run through his Short spear Cavalry. He made some good early moves and I lost the initiative, My Cavalry could not charge his cavalry as I would open a whole in the centre exposing my flank. His Huscarls in the center then grinded forward, time to see how good those Varangians are. The Varangians smashed some Huscarls and as somewhat as a surprise my Skutatoi held and then broke some more.
8pt to 2pts
Game 4 vs Mid Republican Rome
Another 12+ Tugs and a lot of terrain, with a secure mountain flank and forests on the other flank. He secured the mountains on his right flank with his gauls and deployed his legions right to centre (mostly superior) and some more average legions on his left flank and his cavalry between the legions.
I deployed my skirmishes in the mountains and my infantry opposite his superiors and my cavalry opposite his cavalry. I decided to ignore his average legions on his left flank as I could out pace these (well lets hope so). Some good early moves by him and I lost the initiative in the centre, It was starting to look bad as his superior legions closed with my infantry. But some bad cards for his average legions on his left slowed them enough that I could regain the initiative with my cavalry and charge his cavalry. My cavalry burst through and then turned on his legions and started to roll up the line. His superior legions put pressure on my infantry but this Varangians just don’t give up.
8ps to 2pts
So that was 38pts and first place, by the smallest of margins.
