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Gaming => Battle Reports => Topic started by: Jon Freitag on October 02, 2021, 09:31:10 PM

Title: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Jon Freitag on October 02, 2021, 09:31:10 PM
On Thursday, I hosted a remote playtest of Ian Lowell's Late Bronze Age wargame -rules-in-progress, Rein-Bow Warriors.

The engagement saw Egyptians v Hittites played in 25mm.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4ItF8MLf7M/YVhuApjMG2I/AAAAAAAAX8o/PTZV974X8CkR5K8pqleuhJX9zL05MVfUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1061/ReinBow_Warrior_01_01.JPG)

For a recounting of the battle in my first playtest of the rules, please visit Palouse Wargaming Journal at,
https://palousewargamingjournal.blogspot.com/2021/10/battle-of-dapur-playtest.html (https://palousewargamingjournal.blogspot.com/2021/10/battle-of-dapur-playtest.html)
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: gavindbm on October 02, 2021, 09:50:14 PM
Looks interestingly different. 
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Jon Freitag on October 02, 2021, 11:02:19 PM
Quote from: gavindbm on October 02, 2021, 09:50:14 PM
Looks interestingly different.

I agree!
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Mark G on October 03, 2021, 09:16:02 AM
They seem to be much more in line with how I would expect chariotry to fight too.

Was there a rule based reason why both armies infantry seem to wait until a pause in the chariot et duels before acting themselves?
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Duncan Head on October 03, 2021, 12:24:33 PM
I think I remember seeing something about these in Slingshot more than a few years ago. Nice to see that Ian is making progress with the rules.
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Jon Freitag on October 03, 2021, 01:45:18 PM
Quote from: Mark G on October 03, 2021, 09:16:02 AM
They seem to be much more in line with how I would expect chariotry to fight too.

Was there a rule based reason why both armies infantry seem to wait until a pause in the chariot et duels before acting themselves?

Given the speed of chariotry and the distance between the lines, the chariotry quickly (and very quickly) outpaced foot.  No chance for the foot to keep pace with hard-charging chariotry.  Also, the chariot combat in "no man's land"  between the two battle lines generated an area of influence (or confusion) in which foot troops were unlikely to enter without risk of losing combat effectiveness.  Now, the Egyptian skirmishers on the Egyptian left were picked apart by Hittite caracole chariot tactics but no chariots contacted enemy foot in my first gaming trial.  Maybe next time?  Then, we may see how chariot v foot works.
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Jon Freitag on October 03, 2021, 01:47:15 PM
Quote from: Duncan Head on October 03, 2021, 12:24:33 PM
I think I remember seeing something about these in Slingshot more than a few years ago. Nice to see that Ian is making progress with the rules.
Duncan, I went back and re-read many of the old issues of Slingshot.  You are correct!  Ian has been at this a very long time.  Since I only met Ian about a year ago, I am a newcomer to his works and theories on this topic.   
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Jim Webster on October 03, 2021, 03:03:55 PM
Fascinated to know more about it, because like Duncan, I remember this from years ago. Good to see he's still working on it
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Jon Freitag on October 03, 2021, 05:35:41 PM
Quote from: Jim Webster on October 03, 2021, 03:03:55 PM
Fascinated to know more about it, because like Duncan, I remember this from years ago. Good to see he's still working on it

Hi Jim.  Ian and I have a second playtest on Monday with a full group game on Tuesday.  I will have a better understanding of the rules' processes and mechanisms following two more playings.
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Anton on October 04, 2021, 03:31:34 PM
I think there is something good here.  Hopefully we will see more.
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Erpingham on October 04, 2021, 03:41:26 PM
Quote from: Anton on October 04, 2021, 03:31:34 PM
I think there is something good here.  Hopefully we will see more.

Certainly a change from the Swanton "equid battering ram" model, with the emphasis on mobile shooting.
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Mark G on October 04, 2021, 04:31:23 PM
I was leaving that unsaid
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Jon Freitag on October 04, 2021, 04:57:39 PM
Quote from: Anton on October 04, 2021, 03:31:34 PM
I think there is something good here.  Hopefully we will see more.

Anton, yes there will be more.  We have a second playtest on the gaming slate today with a group game on Tuesday.  Plenty of action, hopefully, will an interesting battle narrative.
Title: Re: Battle of Tell Dapur: A Late Bronze Age Clash
Post by: Jon Freitag on October 04, 2021, 04:59:14 PM
Quote from: Erpingham on October 04, 2021, 03:41:26 PM
Quote from: Anton on October 04, 2021, 03:31:34 PM
I think there is something good here.  Hopefully we will see more.

Certainly a change from the Swanton "equid battering ram" model, with the emphasis on mobile shooting.

These are not your great-great grandfather's equid battering rams...