Caballeros Hidalgos and Vilanos set off for battle |
What a fantastic game last night was!
We had a wonderful opportunity to play To the Strongest at the NWS and at the same time blood a new player into the game as well as prick the interest of two other old friends in attendance.
El Presidente (Viva El Presidente!!!) Simon dusted off his Gripping Beast Almoravids, set them on some sabot bases and prepared to battle the Feudal Spanish and El Cid for control of Spain.
The initial set-up on the 8' x 4' table |
A few raw javelin men think to themselves that being out in the open is not what their Lord promised them before joining his retinue on campaign. |
You will also notice the Spanish have a few weapons missing and the old style white metal spears and javelins which are quite bendy. All will be upgraded once the pained bases are complete. |
Simons lovely cavalry take the flank position supported by javelin units, not light infantry, as I found out to my initial surprise. Need a few more figures on those bases big fella! |
At this stage we had also had Jonesy, Paul, Big Chris and Guido join the gallery. Jeff Champion and I took control of the Spanish and Steve was going to be the senior mentor to Simon in the intricacies of To The Strongest battles.
African Spearmen all supported by extra bowmen |
Lovely job on these Simon. |
Andalusian mercenary cavalry in Jeff's command |
Citizen Spear units supported by extra bow |
See what I mean by missing weapons? |
Great to finally get these lads out again after so long in the box |
A view down the Spanish lines |
Simon had also printed off some statistics to make it a bit easier for him to remember his units stats in the heat of battle which was a very good idea considering this was his initial play of TtS |
A nice view of some Citizen Spear being supported by bowmen |
The Cid gallops past an old Ian Weekley Models Crusader church I picked up at Sheffield Triples when I was in the UK over 15 years ago. |
The single figures represent heroes to be used at an opportune time |
The King looks on as losses mount. A gap on the spearmen base on the left as I paint up its commander at home |
The opportunity marker is actually representing a wound or disorder. An old Impetus marker being recycled |
The Almoravid advance is relentless |
However the Great Cid himself has routed the African cavalry and prepares to raid the rear formations for the glory and greatness of King Alphonso and Spain! |
Taking heart the Citizen Peones advance as well |
The King once again rallies the lads |
The semi-circle base works well and will now be my base of choice for all Generals |
A magnificently painted Almoravid heavy cavalry unit |
The battle rages on in the centre |
Whilst Jeff finds he has quite a deal of space and open ground to defend with very few troops remaining |
A nice shot of a unit of Hidalgos with knights, sergeants and Andalusian princes in the ranks! |
In the end it was a victory to El Cid and his freedom loving Spanish gents though we are sure that by the tie the dispatches reached Castille, King Alphonso would have claimed all of the credit!
So with another two converts to Simon Millers excellent "To the Strongest" won over we prepare for a 2-00 points a side game at the club on Saturday morning with my Sassanid Persians taking on Steve's Late Romans. Should be great fun.
Looks Great Carlo- Top Batrep.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I will have to give these rules a try.
You will very much enjoy them John. I was a little hesitant initially with the grid system however it is just brilliant and enhances speed of play and less arguments whilst not detracting from the overall game mechanics and feel of ancient and medieval gaming.
DeleteSo that's what was going on in the corner. Looking good!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Mark. You need to play a game.
DeleteGreat game, Carlo!
ReplyDeleteThank you Serguiss for your always positive and kind comments.
DeleteVery enjoyable to see this period out on your gaming table! TtS looks good!
ReplyDeleteIts a great gaming system Jonathon and you would enjoy it immensely. Thanks for visiting and your comments mate.
DeleteIt’s always nice when old miniatures come out and play. 😀
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the absolute truth Stew! Great to see old figures getting a new life in a gaming system conducive to great fun and finishing a game in a few hours without sacrificing complexity.
DeleteNice to see veterans out again! They look great and how good to be enthused with a new rule set!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Absolutely correct Iain - great to get the old boys out again.
DeleteLooks great, and nothing better than exposing some new players to these great rules!
ReplyDeleteIn am almost recovered from Historicon (although I have a boatload of posts to write) and will see what I can do about getting those Triarii to you before Christmas, LOL!
Look forward to having a good read of them Peter. Thanks again for the triari and I will let you know when they arrive mate. Very best wishes.
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