Hi Guys,
we played a four player game of BB in the club last week, two experienced ( a few games each) and two new players, one of each per side. We played identical armies at about 650pts each side ( everything I own split in half). I have a few other odds and ends, but didnt want to introduce bodyguards or volley guns in the first game. I dont have any handgunners yet.
Each side had :
3 Generals (on foot)
1 household cav unit ( 6 bases)
1 household infantry unit ( 10 bases, 5 archers)
2 retinue units ( 8 bases, 4 archers)
1 Levy unit ( 10 bases, 5 archers)
1 light cannon .
It started off promisingly, when we rolled for the pre battle events. We were the attackers, and almost half of the enemy were either starting the game off table, or had lost a few stands because we had won the attack roll by so much. Then the defenders set up the terrain and we removed most of the central terrain to the flanks, hoping to give a clear centre for us to charge down, and press our advantage before the rest of the enemy arrived. We deployed and rolled for the other events. Thats when things got progressively worse.Nothing happened until we fluffed our roll for treachery, and one of our flank generals, on our weaker left flank became a possible side changer. This wasnt a huge worry, but annoying. They won supplies, and had 3 extra arrow markers, meaning 1 ap shots. 2 were alloted to the household infantry, 1 to a retinue unit placed on a hill on our right.Then came "loyalty" , which we again lost, and our right flank general had been bribed! Each turn , we would have to attempt to beat the enemy in a straight 1d6 roll, if we won, he would decide to fight for his rightful lord, if not, he would sit on the base line and do nothing until we rolled again next turn. The weather had little effect until we rolled for route of march, which we AGAIN lost. The wet roads had delayed our retinue unit in the centre, leaving only our household cavalry, and delayed the levy on our unreliable left flank, leaving only our cannon on the left, just a little exposed, as it was straight ahead of his household foot.
So the battle proper could begin. We advanced cautiously, trying to close the gaps in our lines, while our one reliable general tried to persuade our treacherous left flank general to join in the fun. Our enemy advanced straight ahead, and closed the gap. We didnt move in turn 2, but the treacherous general was persuaded to join the fight ( on our side!), our bribed right flank general was still sulking on the base line. In the enemies second turn they advanced again, into bow range, and hit us with a few ineffective volleys, then rolled, and half of their late troops showed up, to be deployed at the beginning of their next turn. Our newly loyal left flank general gave orders to our lone cannon, which now had range on the household foot, destroying an archer stand. We advanced our cavalry, in line with the household foots flank, hoping to charge them next turn. The enemy seemed willing to ignore this and pressed forward. Then disaster struck. We attempted to give orders to our cav, to wheel and charge the expose flank. We only needed to roll 4 or better on on 2d6, and got double 1! the cav sat their, both flanks hanging in the wind. The beginning of next turn, his foot gave our cav a volley at close range , just before their cav hit our flank. Things went runny very quickly after that, and two turns later, only the cavalry commander survived on our side. We brought up a retinue unit, and gave their cavalry some bodkin fun at close range after the captain died gloriously. By this stage, all of their forces had arrived, and we were still 2 units and a general down. We started clutching at straws and pressed ahead with our household foot into the enemies retinue unit, he being only 6 stands strong. His cannon had taken a few shots at us, but never scored a hit. Our household troops went right through his retinue and were lining up for a crack at his next unit along. Our valiant retinue unit stopped shotting arrows and all lay down in the mud after his cav charged them and whooped the snot out of them for two turns. At this point , out retinue unit showed up, and our right flank general decided he hadnt been paid enough and rejoined our side. The enemy had one more turn, rolled for coundown, and reached the target. The game had lasted about 6-7 turns, and we had our heads handed to us. My team-mate was in theory in command of the right flank general, and so was sent to the bar to get the first round in. A good laugh, and both new players enjoyed the game enough to ask to play again.
We were robbed…………..
tackles a 
