Pavia Refight

Today I went up north to my mate Robbie's for a game of Pike and Shotte. We'd arranged the game at the York show and today was the day. Tom came over as he's moved up that way, along with John and Colin. Robbie had arranged to fight Pavia, a straight refight using the set up from the book. Rob would provide the French, I'd bring along the Imperialists.

On arrival we diced for sides, John and Colin would be on my side, Tom would partner Rob.

 

This is the site the slumbering French awoke to on the morning of Pavia, Imperialists emerging from the dawn.

 

A view up the table, the French and Swiss are trying to pass their command rolls, and failing miserably, much to the Imperialist amusement!

Johns' Italian and Spanish can be seen advancing on the right, my Landsknechtes advance (slowly) in the centre.

 

Colins' cavalry and light infantry command set off around the woods on the left flank-

 

 

Only to be met by the cream of the French Nobility screened by Stradiots.

This was going to be a see saw engagement all day.



 

 

 

Rob being embarrassed after ANOTHER lucky dice roll.

The Landsknechtes get stuck in to Toms Swiss in the centre.

 



 Push of pike.

 

 The Swiss arquebusiers first hold up Frundsbergs pike block then push them back, eventually breaking the command, they didn't even need the Swiss pikes!!!

 Frundsbergs command falling back after losing two pike blocks and having three Shaken units are finished as an effective fighting force.

 

 

During the game Robs C-in-C had been killed along with his Gendarmes, Colin had taken the wood and secured the left flank, John had broken the Black Bande and taken the French Command post, this gave us enough victory points to win even though Tom had held up and pushed back my Landsknechtes in the centre.
I'm still not sure about Pike and Shotte but it gives the opportunity to have a big game with minimum fuss. I'll give them another couple of goes to see if I can get my head round them, otherwise they'll be Ebay bound.
Rob, John and Colin have very good blogs, which can be found here-
http://slimreidy1.blogspot.co.uk/
 http://independentwargamesgroup.blogspot.co.uk/
http://carryingsonupthedale.blogspot.co.uk/

I know Rob and Colin do a lot better write ups than me so treat yourselves and have a gander.



Spanish Genitors

These are my Spanish genitors, widely regarded as some of the best light cavalry that fought in the Italian wars. In game terms they wear light armour and shield giving them a 4+ save, have throwing spears and javelins and can be armed with a light crossbow. For abilities they have Feigned Flight and Parthian Shot as standard and can be upgraded to veteran. Taking all this into account they are a very useful tool to have in the box.

 

I've based some of these in two's, as they get used in every game they get a lot of handling and a larger base gives them a bit of stability. (as long as Windy doesn't fumble them!!!)

 

They are a mix of TAG and Foundry figures, some of which are based on Old Glory horses. Again carrying cloth standards from Pete's Flags. All bases and movement trays are from warbases.

 

I've painted the shields different to one another and replaced some with oddments from elsewhere, I like the irregular feel this gives them.

 

The house in the background is made from modular block sections from Warbases, the walls are bits of wood from B&Q all covered with textured paint and ink washed. The roofs are Wills pantiles. it took a while to put together but I like the battered look of it and it's a decent size on the table. another one is being assembled at the moment.

 

Well that's all my Spanish troops really, apart from a couple of light multi barrelled guns that I don't use much. next I think I'll put up my Landsknechtes, a couple of decent sized pike blocks and a couple of skirmishing arquebus units.

 

As for the gaming front we had a few games of Saga last night. It's been a while since we last played and we seem to have forgotten most of the rules. Blitz came over with his Jomsvikings and showed just how powerful these little chaps are! Blitz has his own blog showcasing some of the best painting you will find on the net, and he's a decent bloke, have a look here-     http://theaircavsaga.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Spanish Foot

This week the Spanish foot. One of my favourite units are the swordsmen. In WAB you can upgrade them to heavy armour with bucklers, along with their 'swordsman' ability of a +1 save against infantry that gives them a 3up save and a movement of 5", light infantry counting 2 ranks with a full command - what's not to like?

These are Assault Group (TAG) figures, not the cheapest but very nice.



 

 

This is the same unit but made with Foundry figures, I've added a priest in there as the Spanish in this period were a bit keen on religion, to say the least!



 

 

The pike blocks are both TAG, along with a couple of Foundry figures for variation, and a monk. I like adding halberdiers and swordsmen to the front ranks, mainly so when two pike blocks engage the forward facing pikes don't knock lumps off the figures.

 

These are handy troops to have around, especially if you have the option to make them Stubborn. Halberdiers with heavy armour. Mainly TAG again with a Gamezone leader holding the two handed sword.

 

The first unit of arquebusiers are again by TAG- I like TAG!

 

Second unit by Foundry, along with another priest- I like priests!

 

This is a shot of all my Spanish foot. I do have some Spanish cavalry but not many, only the Genitors, I'll see if I can get some decent pics for next week.

 

All my figures are based on Warbases single and multiple bases, I like putting light infantry on 20mmx 25mm bases opposed to the heavies on 20mm x 20mm or multiples thereof. The movement trays are again from Warbases. The flags are all printed on cloth from Pete's Flags. They are attached to brass rod so I can swop them about as dictated by swinging alliances characteristic of this period.

 

Pete's flags, top bloke, top flags-      Pete's Flags

 

Bases, movement trays and much more, recommended-       Warbases