Every now and then you play a wargame that really holds the tension throughout, with swings one way and then the other, finally culminating in a dramatic climax. Such was the game we played yesterday at our first meeting for 2015.
I designed the scenario around the the board game scenario from "Hold the Line"from Worthington's Games.
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/35342/hold-line
The scenarios in the game provide a rich source for games easily converted to Maurice, and this one uses the orbats and set up for the "Long Island" scenario.
So my map illustrates the set up positions for the British and American troops, together with the objective positioned behind the defences protecting the American embarkation point.
Two thirds of the American troops are strung out on the ridge defending the approaches and need to stop the British getting the objective and avoid a morale defeat whilst trying to break the British morale if they can. The playing through of the card decks in Maurice act as the clock in the game, so the Americans can win by simply avoiding defeat until all the cards have been played
I determined the forces to be:
The British represent the powerful forces under Howe that conducted the 1776 campaign around New York with (Lethal Volleys) designed to encourage the British player to shoot his way on to the objective.
The American force represent those troops dedicated enough to resist this British Army, more comfortable defending than manoeuvring (Steady Lads), but with that determination to fight to save the revolution (Rally to the Colours).
With the terrain very much favouring the Americans but with the American army split with four battalions of Regular Trained (Continentals) occupying the defences together with their gun, and the remainder having to occupy the ridge line, the game presented challenges for both sides.
The American defences on the approach to Manhattan Island |
Howe's Army climbs the ridge seemingly opposed by a single militia unit |
The rest of Washington's force behind the ridge line |
Howe oversees his British elites (Guards and Light Infantry) and Hessian's |
In another combat the American player attempted to avoid a volley phase hoping to rally off disrupts on another militia unit only to be forced into a volley phase by British card play.
The loss of the two militia units was also costly on army morale with a five point loss. The Americans struck back with the destruction of a Redcoat battalion and the playing of "Death of a Hero" card causing three points loss to the British.
First Clash, the militia trade volleys with the 33rd Foot |
Continentals support the militia |
Firing erupts along the American ridge line |
Hot Work and Hard Pounding - Who will break first? |
The British push the American line back |
Still the fighting continues as the American line falls back on its defences |
The last line of defence - The militia casualties at left back of the picture shows the cost |
The Guards and Light Infantry attempt to turn the American flank - Howe observes the progress |
If you fancy giving this scenario a go, you might want to try getting that British cavalry to work, and the Americans decide on how they would fall back differently.
Yesterday was my first game in 2015 and if it is a sign of things to come, I can't wait.
Much thanks to Ian, Martin, Steve M and Phil for putting on a very entertaining days battle.
Great write up and photos. I didn't think the American forces would stand a chance, glancing at those army lists, but the scenario objectives and defences balance it up nicely. I like the blurred distinction between terrain (woods and hills) which adds to the realism, as opposed to classic tabletop features plonked down. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi MM, thanks for your comment. I didn't build the scenario with the points, but simply followed the units detailed in the original scenario from Hold the Line and the map set up. Once that was done I then added in what I thought were appropriate army attributes and then added up the points to see what it looked like.
DeleteI guess I am a scenario player rather than points balanced game player, and I wanted to capture the challenge facing the historical armies, which were equally unbalanced.
Probably the result is a testament to the rules in that we got a very competitive game that gave a result mimicking history, as the American army was beaten but not destroyed and the war would go on.
Great introduction to the "Maurice" rule set with this game combined with some great figures. I must admit I had visions of the militia melting before the Brits but some canny card play certainly kept things interesting, even allowing the staunch defenders to survive a taste of cold steel! Having seen how it plays out I think in future I must remember to stick to the plan and not let the cards dictate the tactics, certainly was a close run thing at the end and does allow the americans to muse over the day they almost broke the guards!
ReplyDelete