Rather fantastic battles

   I managed to get the opportunity this morning to test out Fantastic Battles by Nic Wright. 

They are currently available to buy Here.

The rules are designed to be scale and setting agnostic and use multi-based units with no casualty removal. Which sounds right up my street quite frankly. They include some sample army lists for fantasy and ancient forces but encourage you to come up with your own giving full rules for unit generation. 

The rules are really simple and clean mechanically with an easy to follow turn structure. It uses a base of troops as the basic unit that can be formed into groups if you wish. Command sections are separate and key to keeping your army in the fight but they can join units if desired.

 The rules work on a random activation basis with troops outside the influence of the forces commanders often doing exactly what you don't want them to!.

  There are also rules for random objectives, flank marches and pre battle misfortune that can befall your units (which I forgot to use this time like a massive tool).

First impressions are very positive, I might have to put together a few small forces to explore further. I used my 15mm dark age forces  for this game, 4foot troops/ 2 cavalry to a unit. 

 The battlefield ready for battle. Norman' attackers at the top of the picture, Saxons at the bottom.

 

The Norman's center made up of Norman infantry and their  Saxon subjects.

Archers protect their left flank.

  The other flank was held by the flower of the Norman nobility.

  

  For their part the Saxons deployed foresters and spearmen on their right.

  Their center was held by more spears and a unit of mercenary Viking axemen.

The hill on the left was guarded by the Saxon archers who intended to fill the opposing horse with arrows.

An archery duel broke out on the Norman left while the Saxon spears prepared to take the hill.

  The Norman center advances.

Likewise the cavalry who take exception to the rain of pointy sticks coming from the hill.

   Things begin to get bloody  as the Vikings slam into the Norman subjects.

  The Norman spears crest the hill.

   With their commanders out of range the archers take matters into their own hands and charge off the hill to attack the Norman horse!.

  On the central hill opposing shield walls face off.

   During which opposing champions prepare to have at it!.

   

    Which goes better for the Saxon half!.

  Over on the left the archers feel the sharp end of the Norman's swords as Saxon spearmen rush to reinforce them.

   And get there just in time to get charged themselves.

  During the fight the forces general s meet.

   While to hill in the centre turned into a massive scrum.

  The Norman leader is downed by his opposite number, ending the battle in the favour of the Saxon defenders.

  As I said, decent rules that I'm looking forward to using again. Definitely worth a look...

...'till next time...