"WECW or WHRenaissance Battle Report" Topic

Italian Wars French v Imperials playtest of modified WECW

French OOB CinC and Army Standard
10 Elite Gendarmes, 10 Mounted Crossbowmen, Med. Gun
8 Skirmish Crossbowmen, 24 Mercenary Shot, Elite Swiss Inf
(24 Pk/8 Halb/8 shot), Gascon Inf (same)

Imperial OOB Gen. and Standard
10 Veteran Italian Gendarmes, 8 Stadiots, Med. Gun
8 Skirmish Crossbowmen, 24 Landsknecht Shot, Veteran Landsknecht Inf (24 Pk/8 Halb/8 shot), Italian Inf (same)

The first couple of turns the artillery spent trying to get the range. The mounted cb and the stadiots closed the distance on the Fr. right, firing with little effect. The Fr. heavy cav surged forward on the other flank, eager to get to grips with their inferior counterparts. Both sides skirmished hotly and the Landsknects edged forward. German shot forced the Fr. skirmishers to retire behind the formed Swiss.

The battle became heated and all skirmishers retired. The German shot, once uncovered, were nicely handled by the Swiss. The Landsknecht foot managed to check the Swiss and hold the center. On the Fr. left it was a bloody affair. The Italian Gendarmes suffered first blood but held. The French and Italian infantry pushed each other about without any real harm.

It was the Fr. Gendarmes which finally gave way and were chased from the field. The mounted crossbow in turn sent the stadiots packing. The center was about equal at this point. The Swiss were getting the better of the Germans, but they stubbornly held on. Disaster struck when the Gascons could hold no longer and broke and were destroyed by the Italians. The remaining Fr. shot was now facing the knights and the infanrty. The horse was pretty worn out and the French withdrew to cover the Swiss flank and allow them to break contact and withdraw. The Mounted crossbowmen we busy looting the unguarded Italian baggage.

It was a solid Imperial victory, but could have easily gone the other way. The Swiss did not suffer much except for their pride. I liked the WECW modified rules. We may rename them "Bowling for Landsknechts". We did make a few changes to tone down the artillery, since most of what I have read suggests they were not as devastating as the rules depict; especially in open field battles. Maybe next time I'll have some photos.

Sounds great what lists were you using

A well written report and I could hear the clash of arms and the rattle of the dice.

My friend John Cone and I have had several Italians Vs. The Holy Roman Empire battles using Warhammer Armies of Chivalry and had a blast. So far the Italians and the Germans are tied in their struggles. One of my want to finish projects this year is to get the Parliment and Royalsist 28mm forces I own painted so I can run some games of WECW. I did not know there was a modified set of rules using WECW for the late Renaisance. Hmm I will have have to check that out.

Here is a link to the basics. I think we have incorporated some of the AoC list into it as well. There are fewer firearms in our units of infantry than in WECW and the cannons are not as deadly.

lochagos.com/cnc/index.html

Thanks Lead junky, I went in search of this after your post and found it. I had the original but not these later lists

many thanks

One major change though is the break and pursuit. It pains me to watch a unit destroyed in one turn on a failed break test. Not so much as it is unrealistic, but because the victor is well formed afterwards and can pick another target next turn. It should take some time to get those troops reformed after they have gone wild, broken ranks and killed off the fleeing unit to the last man.

We decided to do the pursuit rolls and if they catch them the losers fight another round of combat against the rear rank. A few would probably turn to fight (as they can't get away). The pursurers fight normally and the fleeing troops strike last and only hit on a six. The losers roll a break test again and lose an additional figure for each number they missed by (prisoners, stragglers, etc.). If by some chance the fleeing unit wins or passed the break test, the pursuit is checked. Regardless of the outcome they rout again. They may attempt to rally as normal.

This forces the victor to decide how far they want to chase the unit. Off the table? Over the hill? Or are they pretty much no longer a threat? This can be tricky for victorious impetuous cav. "Well damit, there goes our cav support on the right flank again. Prepare to receive enemy horse."