My son has been back with us for the week on holiday as well as some lovely walking and drinking slightly too much whiskey we have managed some gaming. Whilst I can’t get him to play a full wargame we have enjoyed Command and Colors and with my new hex terrain I can now get this on the table using figures. He has recently been reading about Alexander the Great so we picked The battle of Granicus he would play the Macedonians I the poorly led Persians ! Not too many photos….
The setup direct from Command and Colors Expansion #1 Greeks and Eastern Kingdoms
A closer look down the Macedonian line the river Granicus is fordable but does slow reduce the effectiveness in combat
Closer shot from behind the Persians. One key factor in the battle is the poor leadership of the Persian Satraps so they only get 4 command cards to Alexander’s 6 this makes things though from the start
My first big blunder was attempting to attack with my Persian heavy cavalry, although only narrowly they fail to break through on the right🙁
The Macedonians gradually push forward
A delicate balance on my left, both sides taking casualties
But due to limited command and poor leadership much of the Persian infantry is stuck at the back and unengaged
Same on the right flank
Eventually the Macedonians force the crossing, the Persian turn the sky dark with arrows but they are genuinely unlucky and it only has limited impact on the advance
Finally Alexander crashes forward, linked to his companion cavalry he is a real force to behold he wipes out one unit then drives through the Persian lines to claim victory
Fun battle, nice to get the figures out, the setup works well with the simple dice markers. The Persians did indeed suffer from poor leadership was that the scenario setup or just me ?
A little bit of painting but the only completed things are these two 10mm buildings for SYW, painted to match other buildings
More wonderful weather this weekend on Friday we managed to get out walking
My son either looking intrepid or trying to keep his ears warm, the dusting of snow was from the couple of days before, warm in the sun but still cool
The Lake District looking more wild and remote than it really is
One of our snack stops looking across to Scafell
An outside chance we might get to play Gaugamela if time permits….let’s see how Alexander manages that one 😀
Nice to be able to have a game with your son Mat - I doubt its a pleasure I will ever experience! I am sure the scenario was the main factor in the Persians demise - you did not choose to leave half your infantry on the back line, presumably?! As always, the views of The Lake District are suitably impressive.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith the C&C scenarios do always seem balanced although they can feel tough if you don’t get the correct command cards. In this case outnumbering is fine but it is hard to get the whole of the Persian army acting in unison.
DeleteYes, I have played three or four CnC games, Napoleonic and War of 1812...I enjoyed them well enough but it's definitely a game...the card system can certainly make it hard to do what you plan to....I do quite like the combat dice with different symbols though...that's quite a nice way of resolving melees.
DeleteGreat looking game. Need to give those rules a try out myself
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil a simple and FUN gaming system battles are more often than not close.
DeleteAncient stuff! Great looking battle!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michal 👍 nice to get the Greeks and Persians out we’ll hopefully see more of them in the summer
DeleteGrand game there, despite the poor old Persians having such a difficult time 😉 As ever, great to see the Lakes and Fells vicariously, especially the Young Wainwright image!
ReplyDeleteThanks David , as to be expect a fun battle with my son is a real bonus and he is old enough for me not to have to let him win….he manages that on his own 🥲
DeleteNice to see you were able to play C&C using figures and your hexed mat:). The buildings look nice and as ever the Lake District looks wonderful, even if a tad fresh when up there. Still damned cold down here in Bristol.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve, a fun battle. Yes the Lakes were cool but clear which was nice👍
DeleteExcellent! CCA plays so well in miniature.
ReplyDeleteYour local landscape is impressively rugged.
Think as Jon 👍 the last photo is Scafell which is the highest point in England so it is all about scale
DeleteNice upgrade of command and colours. Son looks like a crusade reenactor
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin, I’ll tell him he will be pleased 😀
DeleteGood looking game, nice views,my daughter is back from university for Easter soon,I'm hopeful of a game!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain, battles with offspring can be the most enjoyable and a chance to spend some time together. I’m in danger now that my son is starting to have to think about letting ME win !
DeleteI always enjoy a game of Command and Colours, although it can be very frustrating watching commands sit there when you are unable to draw the correct card. The decks do seem to be nicely balanced though, and you can always get them moving eventually.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence, yes I had that feeling a lot this battle with only 4 cards to represent the poor Persian command, think my son is a bit canny as well 👍
DeleteGreat stuff all round, super photos from the "back of beyond" too🙂
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil, I agree some of the views we felt we could have been almost anywhere rather than just a walk up from Grasmere 🤔
DeleteInteresting game, I really enjoy your 'in the black' motif to show the set up.
ReplyDeleteThe outdoor photos are a treat, the locations do look wilder with the weather.
Very nice Matt, looks like a fun encounter and some cracking photo's of the great outdoors to boot.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Stu
One day I hope to have grown up fun games with my children. I’m trying to lay the groundwork now. 😀
ReplyDeleteCool pictures all around.
Great looking game and figures, Matt. The landscapes are very impressive too!
ReplyDelete