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Gaming => Battle Reports => Topic started by: dwkay57 on March 23, 2020, 04:04:56 PM

Title: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on March 23, 2020, 04:04:56 PM
Just in case Justin and Chris thought they had this thread to themselves.....

Given the recent discussion about whether troops should generally be C or D class, this battle shows what happens if you make too many of them D or even E class.

Blow by blow replay and full post match analysis on my website for those who can't get out much or need help dropping off to sleep.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Imperial Dave on March 23, 2020, 06:00:37 PM
thanks David, much appreciated and nice battle report. Sorry for the dim question....what is your website link?  :-[
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Jim Webster on March 23, 2020, 07:16:16 PM
Quote from: dwkay57 on March 23, 2020, 04:04:56 PM
Just in case Justin and Chris thought they had this thread to themselves.....

Given the recent discussion about whether troops should generally be C or D class, this battle shows what happens if you make too many of them D or even E class.

Blow by blow replay and full post match analysis on my website for those who can't get out much or need help dropping off to sleep.

I always enjoy these reports  8)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on March 24, 2020, 09:49:08 AM
Dave, website is:

https://veryverylittlewars.wordpress.com/

Thanks for the positive comments chaps. Much appreciated.

I did fight another battle over the weekend but this was a bit larger - something like 1,700 figures just about squeezed on.
Attached photo shows some early action as my Achaemenid Persians take on my Imperial Romans on terrain that was modelled on Alexander's battle at Issos.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Imperial Dave on March 24, 2020, 09:53:51 AM
perfect. Thank you very much David...now bookmarked
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Chris on March 24, 2020, 02:18:34 PM
Quote from: dwkay57 on March 23, 2020, 04:04:56 PM
Just in case Justin and Chris thought they had this thread to themselves.....

Yeah, I guess it has been a while since I "stitched" something together. Should probably address that, less I get "needled" again.

Perhaps, in conjunction with governor's order, I could stage something wherein the Romans or whomever had to "shelter in place"?

Cheers,
Chris

p.s. Big fun reading about these Little Battles - Thanks!
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Imperial Dave on March 24, 2020, 03:57:33 PM
its a great blog David. Have spent a little time nosing about in the rules section :)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on April 02, 2020, 09:48:22 AM
With apologies to A A Milne...

"Christopher Robin, I have been thinking and these are the wrong sort of Persians"
"Oh. Why?"
"They have the wrong sort of shields. And if they are the wrong sort of Persians they would fight the wrong sort of Issos"
"Would they?"
"Yes. So I shall give them the wrong sort of opponents."

My largest battle to date (1,700 figures approximately). Short report attached. Much much longer report on my website for those with plenty of time on their hands.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Chris on April 02, 2020, 11:46:27 AM
Impressive, as always.

Cheers,
Chris
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Imperial Dave on April 02, 2020, 05:17:22 PM
Hi Dave....me just being dense I suspect but where are the actual spreadsheets and rules stored on the website or are they kept under wraps? You have piqued my interest somewhat reading the 'design' notes as they are :)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on April 02, 2020, 05:55:42 PM
Dave, the spreadsheet isn't on the website. The current version is about 1.4MB and is made up of about 20 worksheets.

If you really want it, I'm happy to email it to you. Whilst I have some notes that read a bit like rules for populating the sheets, the sheets aren't really documented to any level and I'm not sure if I have any other notes that might support anyone trying to understand it.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Imperial Dave on April 02, 2020, 10:44:42 PM
Quote from: dwkay57 on April 02, 2020, 05:55:42 PM
Dave, the spreadsheet isn't on the website. The current version is about 1.4MB and is made up of about 20 worksheets.

If you really want it, I'm happy to email it to you. Whilst I have some notes that read a bit like rules for populating the sheets, the sheets aren't really documented to any level and I'm not sure if I have any other notes that might support anyone trying to understand it.

yes please....I am spreadsheet-a-phile (aka geek) :)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on April 23, 2020, 08:30:04 PM
It may look like one of my standard solo battles, but don't be fooled!

This was my first attempt at a hosted battle. Essentially two volunteers took on the roles of army generals, they had the brief as in the General Discussions thread about remote generals, they sent me their battle plans and deployments, I started moving the little fellas and sent the generals sitreps (with photos) every now and then, and they told me what they wanted to change and I carried on moving the little fellas and rolling dice.

There is on my website a version of this battle report but with additional slides showing some of the ground level photos the generals had of the battlefield and the information provided to them in the sitreps for those who are interested.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Imperial Dave on April 23, 2020, 10:08:59 PM
great report David and the photos and annotations useful for me as always to visualise the ebb and flow of the battle
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Prufrock on April 28, 2020, 01:18:09 PM
Enjoyed that David, thanks. Quite a different battle to what I'd been expecting!
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on April 28, 2020, 05:35:47 PM
Yes - a different expectation from me too.

Feedback from the generals taking part indicated some confusion over expectations of getting to the battlefield and deployment space. I hadn't really specified the time to march to the battlefield in the brief, which perhaps I should have, but then neither of them asked....
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Jim Webster on April 28, 2020, 06:22:31 PM
Quote from: Prufrock on April 28, 2020, 01:18:09 PM
Enjoyed that David, thanks. Quite a different battle to what I'd been expecting!

Same here
Enjoyed it  8)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on April 29, 2020, 09:37:47 AM
Glad you enjoyed it.

Justin has an article from me explaining the process (rather than the detail of the battle) and some of the findings for consideration in any future events.
Would welcome informed and more experienced feedback on some those aspects.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on May 28, 2020, 05:39:54 PM
Back to the serious issue of solo-battles!

Whilst not historically matched, each of the two sides were reasonably accurate.

My Trinovantes had just enjoyed a population explosion and were ready to take on some Greeks, so Athens and Megara stepped forward.

Summary report attached. Fuller report on my website.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Jim Webster on May 28, 2020, 05:58:18 PM
Quote from: dwkay57 on May 28, 2020, 05:39:54 PM
Back to the serious issue of solo-battles!

Whilst not historically matched, each of the two sides were reasonably accurate.

My Trinovantes had just enjoyed a population explosion and were ready to take on some Greeks, so Athens and Megara stepped forward.

Summary report attached. Fuller report on my website.

got the link to your website?
Jim
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on May 29, 2020, 09:07:37 AM
https://veryverylittlewars.wordpress.com/

As above Jim.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Jim Webster on May 29, 2020, 02:13:07 PM
Quote from: dwkay57 on May 29, 2020, 09:07:37 AM
https://veryverylittlewars.wordpress.com/

As above Jim.

thanks, I've not got the blog set to notify me when it happens   8)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on July 21, 2020, 05:22:12 PM
"I don't like it Captain Mainwaring. This thread is much too quiet."
"Oh, it's alright Jonesey. It's quite relaxing."
"Do be quiet Wilso.... arghh"
"Don't panic. The officer has been shot. Don't panic!"

Hopefully this might be of interest or entertainment or beat having to put the waste out.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Jim Webster on July 21, 2020, 08:56:22 PM
Quote from: dwkay57 on July 21, 2020, 05:22:12 PM
"I don't like it Captain Mainwaring. This thread is much too quiet."
"Oh, it's alright Jonesey. It's quite relaxing."
"Do be quiet Wilso.... arghh"
"Don't panic. The officer has been shot. Don't panic!"

Hopefully this might be of interest or entertainment or beat having to put the waste out.

an interesting scrap  8)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: stevenneate on July 22, 2020, 02:11:11 PM
Nicely reported David. I played in a WRG 6th edition competition many, many moons ago, and it was won by a top-notch plater who took Patrician Romans with mostly Regular D auxiliary infantry and a few Guards who, in big units and with javelins and darts, shot the enemy to pieces.  He was that skilful a player that after winning many competitions with good armies, wanted to test himself out with a fistful of crap troops.  He waltzed all over my Galatians, my Quality Irregular A fanatics proving no match for his Quantity of shooty riff-raff in big units.   
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on July 23, 2020, 08:56:07 AM
Glad you enjoyed the write up chaps.

I was a bit disappointed there weren't more hand-to-hand melees, although the Bactrians did the sensible thing in backing off. I am looking at tweaking down the missile fire damage (especially for hand hurled objects) to encourage more infantry to close to combat. Those with missile weapons who are charged will probably get a "pre-impact volley" bonus to compensate.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Jim Webster on July 23, 2020, 09:43:37 AM
Quote from: dwkay57 on July 23, 2020, 08:56:07 AM
Glad you enjoyed the write up chaps.

I was a bit disappointed there weren't more hand-to-hand melees, although the Bactrians did the sensible thing in backing off. I am looking at tweaking down the missile fire damage (especially for hand hurled objects) to encourage more infantry to close to combat. Those with missile weapons who are charged will probably get a "pre-impact volley" bonus to compensate.

you could perhaps have the pre impact bonus based on their morale. So poor troops on the edge of breaking achieve nothing whilst competent professions just doing their day job have a good bonus
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on July 31, 2020, 01:49:51 PM
There is an adjustment I call "commitment" which is based on a combination of morale, where you are in the battle line and what troop type is involved.
So troops fighting in the line of scrimmage normally get a "High" commitment, unless they are nervous, unsure or shaken in which case it becomes medium. If you are fighting in the reserve line your morale needs to be keen or better to get a high commitment.
And then the troop type is taken into account. So if you are cataphracts with a high commitment fighting in the line of scrimmage then you give 100% but if you are in the reserve line then you only get 50% on the basis there isn't that much you can do to contribute from behind another unit. Highly committed close order infantry in the reserve line give 90% on the basis they can get more involved.

At least I think that is how it works based on working back the various formulae.......
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on August 18, 2020, 08:31:18 PM
Another battle report to waste some time whilst the next summer thunderstorm passes and the heatwave returns (well at least in the UK at least).

Afraid it is Greeks v Persians again, but there were a lot of them.

Must either fight smaller battles or get a bigger table.

More detailed report available on my website if the rain persists and stops other play.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on October 01, 2020, 09:41:14 AM
After a long break over the summer, my little men take over the dining room table again, but no Greeks or Persians this time for a change.

For those with nothing to do until Slingshot 332 arrives, there is a more detailed report on my website.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Imperial Dave on October 01, 2020, 02:25:10 PM
another good battle and battle report Dave
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on October 30, 2020, 08:58:07 AM
Yawn - not another battle report - zzzzz

This time Persians (with some new units) take on my completed Herodian Jewish army (without camel hauled chariots or war goats).

Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Erpingham on October 30, 2020, 09:02:22 AM
Do the new Persians include war rhinos though?
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on October 31, 2020, 08:48:56 AM
mmmm.... which Persian province should have the war rhinos in its army?
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Jim Webster on October 31, 2020, 09:24:42 AM
Quote from: dwkay57 on October 31, 2020, 08:48:56 AM
mmmm.... which Persian province should have the war rhinos in its army?
]

They were held in central casting and issued to satraps who could make a good case for them  ;)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on November 25, 2020, 08:34:15 AM
Another month, another battle and another battle report.

This time it is a selection of Greeks (they come in boxes like biscuits or chocolates) take on some Romans somewhere off Watling Street.

For those trying to get out of testing the Christmas lights, there is a longer report on my website (www.veryverylittlewars.wordpress.com)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Imperial Dave on November 25, 2020, 01:25:20 PM
very nice David and especially the terrain  :)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: davidb on November 25, 2020, 09:23:20 PM
Enjoyable to read as always David.
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Jim Webster on November 27, 2020, 03:11:21 PM
Quote from: davidb on November 25, 2020, 09:23:20 PM
Enjoyable to read as always David.

I'll second that, goes well with a mug of coffee  8)
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: dwkay57 on November 30, 2020, 08:58:44 AM
Glad to hear that Jim. I tell my wife these reports are for my dotage when I can sit with a coffee, scone and be propped up in front of a screen to watch my past efforts flash by.....
Title: Re: Little Battles 20
Post by: Jim Webster on November 30, 2020, 10:12:54 AM
Quote from: dwkay57 on November 30, 2020, 08:58:44 AM
Glad to hear that Jim. I tell my wife these reports are for my dotage when I can sit with a coffee, scone and be propped up in front of a screen to watch my past efforts flash by.....

I suspect that if you ask really nicely and point out it's for the good of your health, they might even add something warming to the coffee  8)