"Northampton 1455..." Topic

Didn't happen. But in our campaign setting this is where the Duke of York met the Royal Procession before it could get to Leicester

Had our first full play of A Coat of Steel this afternoon, courtesy of Stu at Pegasus Hobbies in Monmouth who lent us a table and Cigar Box mat.

We started off playing the 1455 campaign (again) to generate the battle and again found ourselves outside Northampton.

The Lancastrian draws weren't very lucky with the smaller Riding Retinues being generated. Shrewsbury was activated and brought his contingent to assist but even that wasn't sufficient against the sizeable York host that Salisbury and Warwick added due to good recruiting.

This is the starting positions of the Lancastrians, who decided to only field two battles each of two largish companies

Somerset and Northumberland

Courtenay and Egremont (Wenlock proxied in for the time being)

Wiltshire and Shrewsbury

Stafford and Tudor (I proxied in Oxford for Clifford)

The Yorkist host was seven companies in three battles

Cobham commanded the rearward

Duke of York the Mainward, along with Warwick

Salisbury had the Vaward

The Yorkist attack unfolds with the Vaward launching a flanking attack which the Lancastrians have to react to creating a dog leg in their line

The Yorkist advance continues pinning the Lancastrian Mainward in place allowing the Yorkist Rearward to close in on the Lancastrian Vaward.

After the Archery storm comes the decisive combat in the centre

Things looking desperate for the Lancastrian Mainward. Despite bringing the Yorkist Vaward to a halt with some galling fire they are are now pinned and the Yorkist Mainward is bearing down on them.

Back on the Lancastrian right, the combat with The Earl of March and Clinton doesn't go their way either.

The final turn saw decisive results and the Lancastrians crumble with Shrewsbury and Northumberland both being struck down..

Took about 2hours to fight to a conclusion. Several things we left out use to keep it simple as we could. But gave a really satisfying feel.

As usual ran out of troops even with a smallish Lancastrian host. Had to put all the levy archers in as proxy for retinue troops so another order on the way to Peter Pig for about 50 archers.

Really nice looking game. Those battlemats are pretty cool too. I have been looking at a coat of steel for a while now. How did you find it, as it looks quite complicated what with all the counters and cards and stuff!

Steve

The markers need some thought. I chose not to use the courage markers and used simple D6 instead which saved on some cutting. I am going to make some bases with dices frames for future games.

Tactics and stratagems on the ward cards can also be a pain so I made a simple strip up with all the order options and use a circle and cross out function. Stops having to worry about knocking the table and dislodging the card.

There is an example of all the stratagems in the files, so I just had one printed and then wrote the selection onto the order strip. Same with dangers. I did odd even roll off ehere there were choices to be made rather than drawing a card.

Happenstance and resolution system works very well. I am considering rescaling the cards so they fit in the card covers made for trading card games. This will improve the shuffling and longevity.

Nobles cards, being two sided, were what took the longest. But they do add to the game. Also good for showing how your wards and companies are being commanded if you lay them out in rows.

Like anything new once you gone through it once you know how best to lay things out. There actually wasn't too much clutter, other than having the huge 81mm mortar round drinks mug being used as the chit cup. I didn't bring mine so had to borrow what they had at hand.

Glad to see someone else having fun with ACOS. We've been using them for a couple of years now, with great results.

They have the right feel to them. And provides what I think I want from games in this period. Once you've done the leg work sorting out the components its is straight forward. Having the examples printed out to look at as well during play helps rather than having to keep looking through the rules as well.

Next step is to introduce the stratagems and dangers more fully.

For pick up games, I have found that I can use Peter Pigs Bloody Barons to generate the forces and nobles using the scenarios in the back of their book, which has been great as I don't always want to try and run a campaign just to get the models on the table

Hi there, A Coat of Steel are a fantastic set of rules. It's great to see your work. I am currently upgrading my armies from 15mm to 28mm.