With the end of another 3 months, it is time to look at what I managed to get finished.
Punic Wars Republican Roman
It was time to get started on the Republican Romans (even though I had not finished the Carthaginians 😳).
First up was the infantry in the form of the hastati, principes and triarrii with their supporting velites. Two units completed so far.
Total 60
ACW Confederate Cavalry
Another unit of ACW cavalry completed. Dixon miniatures that have been lurking in the “pile” for some years but I have to admit the figures are easy to paint.
Total 24
Total Number of figures added = 100.
Total Number of figures painted = 84
Overall Coefficient = +16
So what does this mean for the year to date?
Total Figures Painted = 263
Total Figures Added = 354
Overall Coefficient for 2023 to date = +91 figures.
So to beat last years figures only another 262 figures to paint in the next 6 months 😧😯😟
Managed to sneak in another game of To the Strongest with Nigel and “Broken Dice” this week using figures for “BD’s” collection.
This was a clash of successors where I fought Nigel and David provided the umpiring services as well as the armies.
As this was another “learning game” the forces were relatively evenly balanced forces.
Nigel deployed with the Elephants and Agema on his right flank, Hoplites and Pike in the Centre and Companions and Light Cavalry on the left.
Enemy forces
My deployment was similar with Agema and Elephants on my left, Pike and Hoplites plus Elephants in the Centre and my Companions and Light Cavalry (not in shot) on the right.
My forces
Early moves consisted of moving the various missile troops into range and exchanging fire with some minor effects as we both tried to clear the enemies elephants out of the way.
Exchange of missiles
I also moved my Companions forward to support the light cavalry.
Companions move forward
On my left the enemy “escorted” elephants moved forward and exchanged fire with my elephants.
Enemy elephants advance
Things went wrong for my light cavalry, after shooting the enemy Companions which annoyed them my lights failed their evade manoeuvre and were ridden down.
Failed to evade
The centres had now clashed and one of my Pike blocks had started to get disorganised and I had failed to rally also a Hoplite unit was close to breaking.
Infantry clash
My Pike subsequently broke having taken another disorder leaving a gap in my line. I had to fill this with my reserve Pike but this would soon bring further problems.
Pike leave the battle
The Hoplite block broke the next turn and this now left a large gap in my line with nothing to fill it.
Hopilites also remember they have a prior engagement
To make matters worse one of my Agema units broke on the left flank and things were starting to look grim as I was running out of “victory medals” and could only afford to lose a couple more units before the army broke.
Agema breaks
The reserve Pike were now in trouble as an enemy Pike block moved onto their flank.
Pike block in trouble
But some more success at last as my elephants despatch the enemy Agema on my left.
Elephants fight back
But then I lose a Companion unit on my right and am down to just three “medals”.
Lose the battle of Companions
While I manage to destroy a couple of enemy units my army is now in real trouble as one of my Hoplite units is also flanked.
Hopilites in trouble
Even though I have managed to get my Elephants to the rear of the enemy pike and stand off several attacks the inevitable happens and my flanked pike block breaks and takes the army with it. A win for Nigel.
End game
Another enjoyable game with the rules although we made a few mistakes in the game especially around the elephants!!
For the second game in the What a Cowboy campaign the “Over the Hill Gang” were attacking the mission station with the objective of setting for to the General Store.
Six players with two characters each. Alan, Dave B and Paul took on “Broken Dice” David, “Uncle Albert” Julian and me.
The setting was the old Mission station outside the town of Deadbeat.
All quite at the mission
Suddenly the silence was broken by the sound of hooves as “The Over the Hills” gang ride into town.
Strangers ride into town
As the General Store is the target two people are stationed to guard the building but the locals are curious as to what someone is perched on the roof of the veranda rather than stay inside by the window🤔.
Locals are wondering why someone is on the roof
But for some reason roofs are proving popular as one of “Broken Dice’s” climbs onto the roof of another store.
Two can play at that game
The streets start to clear as the shooting commences.
Local exits the area
However other locals continue on their daily business ignoring the ruckus at the other end of town.
Others carry on as normal
By now the veranda roof is getting crowded as Dave B joined one of Alan’s characters up there.
It’s getting crowded
While Alan’s other character joined the “I’m on a roof” gang.
Roofs are proving popular
But his stay wasn’t long as he went down under a hail of lead.
But that one was dangerous
Now it was time for a surprise, Paul rolled an event and a group of henchmen appeared. Unfortunately for Paul they joined our side and started taking pot shots at him through the barn.
Surprise
To get out of the way his character rushed one of mine, firing as he came. Luckiliy, I managed to “dodge” and then returned fire. A roll of a 6 on the serious wound table meant there was no more “Injun”.
Trying to brealk the deadlock
“Uncle Albert” decided on the sneaky approach and his two gang members galloped across the street and tried to approach the store from the rear. But Dave B’s guard made short work of them with his shotgun.
Sneaking around the back
Enough damage had been done by the “Over the Hill” gang to make their opponents take a “take to the hills” test which they passed. I now tried the direct approach and rushed to the front of the General Store but someone appeared with a shotgun and I wasn’t there long 😒.
Direct approach
Now both sides needed to take tests due to losses the defenders passed and we didn’t so the “Over the Hill” gang took to the hills. Another good game and plenty of laughs along the way. A special mention to one of the defenders who spent the last couple of turns hiding behind the store sign refusing to come out, you know who you are.
The Uncivil Servant 