"Your favorite dark ages mass battle rules?" Topic

Hey Everyone!

I'm just wondering what you favorite rules are for Dark age mass battles?
I'm talking Saxons versus Vikings, and of course some Norman's.

I'm looking for suggestions and would appreciate it.

Hey Everyone!

I'm just wondering what you favorite rules are for Dark age mass battles?
I'm talking Saxons versus Vikings, and of course some Norman's.

I'm looking for suggestions and would appreciate it.

I'm currently writing my own. Called 'Dragon's Blood".

Medieval Warfare

Flower of Chivalry works great for this time period.

I like DBA for Vikings Saxons and Normans

To the Strongest is fun and easy to puvk up.

Peter Pig do a specific set for dark age battles. Called "wrath of the Vikings". Set in the 9th century, it does not include Normans though.

Good luck.

Here are some details.
link

WGR 6th ed.

I second Extra Crispy.

DBA

link
Here is an article showcasing DBA 3 for Dark Age battles.

Joe Collins

A friend and I used L'Art de la Guerre to refight the 1066 campaign. All three battles were close-run things and most enjoyable.

That would have to be "Comitatus"
though there is also "Shield Wall" for the infantry slog battles
Both from Simon MacDowall

Swordpoint is published by Gripping Beast, who tend to focus on the Dark Ages. Here are a few Swordpoint Dark Age battle reports:

link
link

I would recommend Hail Caesar Rules. Hope it helps.

As always, comments are appreciated.

Take care

Andy

I use a slightly adapted version of 1 hour wargames.We managed to play a three a side game in 28mm with around 80 units a side (Just under a thousand figures) in under four hours including teaching the rules. We had to use a 20 foot by 6 foot table to get it all in. Works for anything from 8 units a side up though.

Just play tested a 6 player version of Hastings using Triumph! Ancient and Medieval rules.

wgcwar.com

Played amazingly well. I am going to be presenting this at Historicon this year using 28mm figures.

leofwine 3 and Dervel, you habe pictures to share maybe?

I do, but the problem is getting them on TMP is a pain in the ….

I have posted them to the Triumph FB page if you are on FB you can see them there.
link

You can also see the same on the Triumph forum:
link

The English held the hill and had a +1 advantage for combat with secure flanks (trees). The only scenario rule was that backing up the hill for the English took an extra command PIP. In the end the battle played very close to history. The English right ended up getting pulled forward (chasing the evading mounted and skirmishers). Odo's command charged in trying to take advantage. Non-historically though Odo became isolated and was killed. Then the Norman left command broke. Count Eustace was able to break the English left flank while a close run battle took place in the center. Unfortunately for William the English right finished off Odo's troops and started to wrap his center this finally broke William's command. So in the end Harold Godwinson held onto the crown breaking the Norman army.

The end of the game, William charged in valiantly trying to finish off Harold before the collapse on the left could be exploited, but in the English line held and Eustace's breakthrough was too late to save the battle.

Well what do you know, that worked….

Anyhow, Triumph! plays out this battle pretty splendidly. The interaction of the lighter armed horse (Javelin Cavalry in Triumph) and the Skirmishers worked great to pull the English troops out of formation, then the scenario rule +1 command cost for going back up the hill worked well because the English had trouble keeping their line unless they came forward.

In the end it was very close, but the loss of Bishop Odo meant that the Norman left fell apart faster than the English Left (which broke shortly after them).

Thanks for all the comments!

keep them coming if your favorite has not been mentioned yet!

-Stew

If you want pictures of our Saxon Norman game. They are on facebook at the Luton lancers wargame club site. If anyone who is less of a technophobe than me wants to lift the pictures and add here then permission is freely given!