Epic English Civil War another run out with the rules

As mentioned in my last post this week we had another chance to get the ECW collection on the table, it had slightly grown since last week but essentially this was a chance to test out the rules a second time and implement the changes we had thought through after the last battle. We will then see if we can have a look at some historical battles ?

So no specific Battle today just two forces facing off. The Royalists are on the attack and have slightly more infantry the Parliamentarians , shown below on the right, have less infantry but more cavalry and an extra cannon or two.

, they have also taken some central high ground to defend.

The fields provide cover, and the hill in the distance is wooded. The buildings are just moveable terrain as I haven’t developed suitable rules for villages yet and KoW historical doesn’t really do buildings.

The Parliamentary forces drawn up for battle and as to be expected cavalry on both flanks. I have a better idea for the first fire markers which I will develop over the next few weeks. But for this battle it was the little white markers. I didn’t take too many photos as we were just playing through the rules.

The Royalist right flank , prince Rupert returned from his escape last week !

After a couple of turns of jockeying for position and trading pistol shots the Royalist cavalry gets stuck in, Dismounted dragoons on both sides trade shots and the cavalry melee lasts much of the battle

On the other wing a similar situation, with some open space the cavalry swirl about trying to get an advantage shooting and when possible charging their opponents, then pulling back. Again this swirling action lasted much of the battle

Eventually the Pike and shot the units draw closer together trading musket fire if they can but then looking to push the enemy back, although you can see a gap between the Pike units this is because in the rules if you don’t drive the enemy away you pull back slightly in effect they are fully engaged in ‘push of pike’

Initially the Parliamentarian cavalry gets the worse of it but they turn around and attack again, some how the small commanded shotte unit just beyond the two nearest command figures managed to hold off the Royalist cavalry for several turns. These lighter cavalry not being especially hard hitting.

Hard fighting, the parliamentary cavalry have turned it around, the nearest pike blocks are just about to break but the Royalists are now ascending the hill in the distance !

Here they come ! And the Parliamentarian blocks are already close to breaking

After a lot of fighting the Parliamentary cavalry finally get the better on both flanks, although they don’t have much strength to do anything anymore

One Roundhead unit has broken right through the Royalist lines and is threatening all sorts of mischief , everybody is pretty much worn out now.

A final shot down the table, the victory if you can call it that went to parliament as they are still holding the hill and the Royalist cavalry has been driven off on both flanks.several of the Parliamentary forces are very lucky to still be on the table. Interesting to note how many units even after a full day of fighting haven’t discharged their muskets yet, having been thrown into the hand to hand fighting. We’ve designated these pike/shotte blocks as not being able to move and shoot, which to me seems fair.

Fun of course to play and a close fought battle. The rules worked well with the additional tweaks and gave and enjoyable game with enough historical feel for the period, but keeping the core simplicity of KoW which we like. We turned up one new an interesting rule problem when a a waivering Royalist cavalry unit fails an impetuous test, in the end we decided they would have to charge but be hindered in that charge. 

I plan to write down the additional rules at some point, we have also implemented some fate cards (following the approach of V&F)  a few other things I need to fix are the wound markers as it is slightly obtrusive when every unit is carrying wounds. I am also making some camp/baggage scene vignettes to act as objectives etc…lots to think about.

That’s it for now as I need to plan my German attack for tomorrow morning at George’s ?

Thanks as always

Matt ♥️