I did a playtest for the Battle of Ethundun (878) scenario for Hail Caesar. My sources were what I could gather from the internet, the book "as told in the great hall," the HC army list book, and Bernard Cromwell. : )
The general situation: the Saxons have more troops than the vikings, but the Vikings have a better position with guarded flanks. The left flank has old stone fort so units get cover from the stonewall and are uphill. The right flank is guarded by steep rocks hills (rough terrain).
There are a lot of dials to set in HC; so I'll go into some specifics of game set up beyond just unit stats and special rules.
The table was about 5 ft across which seemed the right amount. Length was a little under 7ft. This felt a little short, and might better at 9 ft or 8 1/2, to better tempt the Saxons to go around the flanks. Standard/medium units are 125mm across and 75mm deep. There are no large units. My figures are on 25mm rounds with about 12 figures on a base to look like a mass of troops about 3 ranks. This is HC for mortals who have modest collection. As it is there are about 400 miniatures on the table. Small units of skirmishers in open order were represented by 6 figures. Each army was made of 3 divisions.
If I had more talent at paint/draw programs, I would give you map. But I suck at that so here is a picture.
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A closer shot of the troops
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Army lists:
Vikings: left flank: Viking Leader 3d6 in combat; 8 CMD
2 units of Hirdmen (Heavy Inf)
2 units of Bondi (Med. Inf)
1 small unit of skirmish with bows
--1 unit of Hirdmen and Bondi deploy in the stone fort.
Center: King Guthurm (general) CMD 8; 4d6 in combat
2 units of Hirdmen (Heavy Inf)
2 units of Bondi (Med. Inf)
1 unit Huscarls (Hvy inf)
-Valiant, Elite, Stubborn, Tough fighters
Vikings: Right flank: Viking Leader 3d6 in combat; 8 CMD
2 units of Hirdmen (Heavy Inf)
2 units of Bondi (Med. Inf)
1 small unit of skirmish with bows
-Skirmishers start in the hills
Also: all Viking units have wild fighters! This is just to give them a little punch in the beginning and I like the hit hard and then be more normal.
Saxon Lists
Saxon left and right flanks;
Saxon leader: CMD 8 3d6 in combat
2 units thegns (Hvy Inf)
3 units Ceorls (Med. Inf)
1 small unit of skirmish with bows
Saxon center:
King Alfred (general) 3d6 combat; 8 CMD
2 units thegns (Hvy Inf)
3 units Ceorls (Med. Inf)
1 unit Huscarls (Hvy inf)
-Valiant, Elite, Stubborn, Tough fighters, with 2hded weapons!
I know that saxon huscarls using big axes is more of a late saxon convention but I want the center to have something of a punch to be able to trouble the Vikings.
Scenarios Special Rules:
Everyone can ‘close ranks'
Skirmishers must shoot and flee when charged by formed infantry.
The armies deploy opposite each other basically with the Saxons spilling past the Vikings flanks.
For those who look at points, the Vikings are about 30 pts less than the Saxons.
Saxons have the first turn.
I took the saxon left; and a very brief AAR;
The Saxons get a staggered start, with the far right not moving.
From the saxon left
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From Saxon Right
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Random shot
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On the left: the Saxons take the hills and threaten the flank of the Vikings. While some blunders hamper the Viking movement
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Here you can see some black models waiting paint.
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The saxon right surges forward, and lines clash..
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There are several pushes back and forth. Finally the Vikings broke; staving in the left and right flanks.
All in all, the scenario played real well. There are some tactical challenges: The Saxons have to figure out what to do about the flanks and the Vikings in the fort have to time when to leave. Besides a larger table, I think the only change I want to try is taking away the Vikings skirmishers and instead giving a unit of light infantry to guard the Vikings hills on the left flank, I thought the Saxons took it a little too easy.
also reduce the dice in combat for the leaders. Guthrum being a viking badass will have the most at 3d6. everyone else will have 2d6. if i think of any special rules for if Guthurm or Alfred die then maybe I'll add those.
I'm planning this for Kublacon in May, so I have some time to tinker.
Any feedback is appreciated.
