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Battle Reports / Sea Peoples v New Kingdom Egyp...
Last post by simonw - Today at 11:58 AMTACTICA 2 GAME REPORT
New Kingdom Egyptians v Sea Peoples (Peleset, Ahhiyawa and Libyans)
Last night's game was the first of 3 TACTICA 2 games between Sea Peoples (comprising a mixed, predominantly infantry force of experienced (Veteran) Peleset Warbands, formed units of Ahhiyawa spearmen and a mix of 2, loose 36 figure Libyan Warbands in 4 ranks of 9 figures (FV 4-6 Veteran with Impetus) and a denser Warband of 48 figures in 4 ranks of 12 (FV 4-6 Veteran with Impetus), all supported by a few 2 horse chariots and Bow, Sling and Javelin-armed Skirmishers.The Sea Peoples army also included a single 18 figure unit of experienced Massed Light Infantry with Javelins (FV 3-6). and poor quality Asiatic Massed Light Infantry (FV 3-6, Militia Grade). Additionally, the Sea Peoples army included a unique and an experimental special single unit of Ox-drawn Carts in a form of slow and ponderous, hollow square formation, deemed to have no flank or rear vulnerabilities (refer below List). Refer below for the Army List.
Additionally, the Sea Peoples army included a unique and an experimental special single unit of Ox-drawn Carts in a form of slow and ponderous, hollow square formation, deemed to have no Flank or Rear vulnerabilities (refer below List).
Basically, this Ox Cart unit fights as a single body of 8 no. 4 horse Militia Grade Heavy Chariots (equivalent of a 48 figure Massed Heavy Unit in Tactica 2 terms) with 3 Melee (FV 4-6) and/or Shooting Dice per model and with 3 models on each side of the formation and a unit breakpoint of 24 (50%, due to its Militia Grade classification). The unit could only count as fighting with a Melee and/or Shooting Dice equal to the strength of one of its 4 sides at any one time (9 dice) although in Melee, the unit's Melee Dice can be split between multiple opponents as normal procedure in Tactica 2.
By contrast, the opposing Egyptian forces comprised a well disciplined, regular, combined arms array drawn from the standard list included in the basic Tactica 2 ruleset. Included were 4 units of 48 disciplined (FV 4-6 Veteran), Spear-armed infantry, deployed in 4 ranks, 2 no. 48 figure strong units of Close Order Foot Archers (FV 3-6, Veteran) in 4 ranks and 21 " Horse Light Chariots in a mix of 2 and 3 model units (FV 4-6, Elite with Bow). The Chariots fight with 2 Melee Dice per model but don't have Impetus unlike the 8 'heavier' (albeit still classed a Light) 3 man, 2 Horse Chariots of the Sea Peoples army.'line' Infantry. In Tactica 2, the 2 horse Light Chariots are as manoeuvrable as Light Cavalry with an ability to About Face at the beginning or end of their movement and perform evades BUT in all other respects, (Flank and Rear Attacks, Breaks etc.) they count as Heavy Massed units with a Massed Figure equivalent strength of 4 figures per model for the purposes of calculating unit Breakpoint considerations etc.
The Egyptians also had a 36 figure strong unit of Elite Guards (Kenyt-Nesu), FV 5-6 Elite Heavy Infantry, a unit of 27 Peherer (Chariot runners), Massed Light Infantry, FV 3-6, Elite with Javelins and Bow) and a couple of 27 figure strong poor quality Asiatic Massed Light Infantry FV 3-6 Militia Grade armed with Javelins and Bows.
A small unit of 8 Light cavalry Scouts (FV 3-6 Veterans with Bow) completed the Egyptian force.
The game is a relatively unusual encounter for the Biblical period comprising 2 infantry strong forces but one with numerous Archers and a strong Chariot force and the other relatively low in Chariot numbers and Archers but 'loaded' with Warband Infantry as well as a strong compAhhiyawa Spearmen.
Oh, and the Ox Carts!
The Egyptian Army Lists is included in the main TACTICA 2 Rules Book.
I don't have any names for Sea Peoples Commanders so I'll have to assume that the Ahhiyawa were in command in the form of Grahagamemnon and Gordysseus.
The Egyptian Commanders were Billhotep and Donsobek.
Terrain was pretty minimla with each side rolling for a single Low Rise in their Right Central Sector of the table.
The Sea Peoples Commanders cam up wit a relatively simple plan reflective of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the 2 armies. They decided to Charge as fast as possible in the centre with their infantry, hoping that the Impetus of the Warbands and the presence of the FV 3-6 Egyptian Foot Archers would give them the combat advantage. Additionally, te large body shields of the Ahhiyawa would provide them with extra 'Protection' against the Egyptian Archery.
For te Flanks, they positioned the Ox Cart Unit on the right supported by a single unit of Light Chariots. On their left, they positioned the single unit of Massed Light Infantry, most of their Skirmishers and 6 of their 8 Light Chariots.
It would be a race against time. Could the Sea Peoples smash the Egyptian Centre before their Flanks were turned by the superior numbers of Egyptian Chariots?
For the Egyptians, Billhotep took control of the Egyptian left with its 2 units of 27 Miltia Grade Massed Light Infantry, 6 Chariots in 2 Model Units and the single unit of Mounted Egyptian Scouts.
Donsobek took control of the Egyptian right with its 15 Chariots in 5 units of 3, the Peherer to defend the Low Hill and the bulk of the Egyptian Infantry Centre.
It's worth noting at this point that the 2 Mode Light Chariot Units are much more manoeuvrable than the 3 Model Units as they can Wheel (4") with more ease. Tis makes them very useful when attempting to outflank enemy units. Unfortunately for Donsobek, Billhotep has all these 2Model Chariot Units and although he had 15 Chariots himself, they were all brigaded in Units of 3 Models.
So how did te battle actually 'pan out'?
Well, the Egyptian Archery in the Central Sector was pretty good and inflicted quite substantial numbers of casualties on the attacking Sea Peoples Warbands. The casualties inflicted also resulted in a couple of (temporary) Missile Halts. Given that the battle was a 'race against time', these Missile Halts were significant.
Nevertheless, Given the large size of the Infantry Units involved, this took a few Turns to resolve. the Sea Peoples Central attack duly 'went in' and a major infantry Melee was initiated in the centre. Given the large size of the Infantry Units involved, this Melee took a few Turns to resolve. Ultimately, the Sea Peoples were the more successful in this area of the field although the excellent performance of the Egyptian Foot Archers (only FV 3-6) was indeed noteworthy. They ultimately succumbed but not until after a very hard fight against the FV 4-6 Sea peoples Infantry.
So ,what was happening in the Flank Sectors whilst the 'Central Sector slog' was in progress, was going to be critical. Could the Egyptians outflank the Sea Peoples Infantry battleline>
No! They couldn't.
Billhotep on the left did ultimately manage to Break the massive Ox Cart unit of the Sea Peoples with his poor quality Asiatic Light Infantry but suffered significant casualties in doing so. Ill-disciplined Pursuits also compromised his attempts to intervene in the Central Sector.
On the Egyptian Right, Don sobek gradually overwhelmed the relatively weak Sea Peoples forces opposing him and there was ONE fleeting opportunity for a 'Reserve' Chariot Unit to potentaiallu outlank the leftmost Warband on the end of the Sea Peoples Infantry Centre.ever, the 'gap' available for exploitation actually proved to be just too narrow for a 3 Model Chariot Unit to get through and unfortunately, these were the only Chariot Units availabe to Donsobek. If only Donsobek had one of the 3 Units of 2 hariot Models, things might have been different. But he didn't and so the Central slog continued without any intervention by the somewhat frustrated Donsobek.
So in the end, BOTH armies reached their Army Breakpoint in the same Game Turn and exhausted, they mutually withdrew to declare a DRAW!
Battle will recommence in 2 weeks time.
Acknowledgements:
Billhotep (Bill Robertson) for most of the figures and some of the photography
Donsobek (Donald Linn) from the Greenock Club (and my pal) for standing in for Hughmose III who is in Sicily!
Grahagamemnon for extra Ahhiyawa Spearmen!
Gordysseus for enthusiasm and photography.
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New Kingdom Egyptians v Sea Peoples (Peleset, Ahhiyawa and Libyans)
Last night's game was the first of 3 TACTICA 2 games between Sea Peoples (comprising a mixed, predominantly infantry force of experienced (Veteran) Peleset Warbands, formed units of Ahhiyawa spearmen and a mix of 2, loose 36 figure Libyan Warbands in 4 ranks of 9 figures (FV 4-6 Veteran with Impetus) and a denser Warband of 48 figures in 4 ranks of 12 (FV 4-6 Veteran with Impetus), all supported by a few 2 horse chariots and Bow, Sling and Javelin-armed Skirmishers.The Sea Peoples army also included a single 18 figure unit of experienced Massed Light Infantry with Javelins (FV 3-6). and poor quality Asiatic Massed Light Infantry (FV 3-6, Militia Grade). Additionally, the Sea Peoples army included a unique and an experimental special single unit of Ox-drawn Carts in a form of slow and ponderous, hollow square formation, deemed to have no flank or rear vulnerabilities (refer below List). Refer below for the Army List.
Additionally, the Sea Peoples army included a unique and an experimental special single unit of Ox-drawn Carts in a form of slow and ponderous, hollow square formation, deemed to have no Flank or Rear vulnerabilities (refer below List).
Basically, this Ox Cart unit fights as a single body of 8 no. 4 horse Militia Grade Heavy Chariots (equivalent of a 48 figure Massed Heavy Unit in Tactica 2 terms) with 3 Melee (FV 4-6) and/or Shooting Dice per model and with 3 models on each side of the formation and a unit breakpoint of 24 (50%, due to its Militia Grade classification). The unit could only count as fighting with a Melee and/or Shooting Dice equal to the strength of one of its 4 sides at any one time (9 dice) although in Melee, the unit's Melee Dice can be split between multiple opponents as normal procedure in Tactica 2.
By contrast, the opposing Egyptian forces comprised a well disciplined, regular, combined arms array drawn from the standard list included in the basic Tactica 2 ruleset. Included were 4 units of 48 disciplined (FV 4-6 Veteran), Spear-armed infantry, deployed in 4 ranks, 2 no. 48 figure strong units of Close Order Foot Archers (FV 3-6, Veteran) in 4 ranks and 21 " Horse Light Chariots in a mix of 2 and 3 model units (FV 4-6, Elite with Bow). The Chariots fight with 2 Melee Dice per model but don't have Impetus unlike the 8 'heavier' (albeit still classed a Light) 3 man, 2 Horse Chariots of the Sea Peoples army.'line' Infantry. In Tactica 2, the 2 horse Light Chariots are as manoeuvrable as Light Cavalry with an ability to About Face at the beginning or end of their movement and perform evades BUT in all other respects, (Flank and Rear Attacks, Breaks etc.) they count as Heavy Massed units with a Massed Figure equivalent strength of 4 figures per model for the purposes of calculating unit Breakpoint considerations etc.
The Egyptians also had a 36 figure strong unit of Elite Guards (Kenyt-Nesu), FV 5-6 Elite Heavy Infantry, a unit of 27 Peherer (Chariot runners), Massed Light Infantry, FV 3-6, Elite with Javelins and Bow) and a couple of 27 figure strong poor quality Asiatic Massed Light Infantry FV 3-6 Militia Grade armed with Javelins and Bows.
A small unit of 8 Light cavalry Scouts (FV 3-6 Veterans with Bow) completed the Egyptian force.
The game is a relatively unusual encounter for the Biblical period comprising 2 infantry strong forces but one with numerous Archers and a strong Chariot force and the other relatively low in Chariot numbers and Archers but 'loaded' with Warband Infantry as well as a strong compAhhiyawa Spearmen.
Oh, and the Ox Carts!
The Egyptian Army Lists is included in the main TACTICA 2 Rules Book.
I don't have any names for Sea Peoples Commanders so I'll have to assume that the Ahhiyawa were in command in the form of Grahagamemnon and Gordysseus.
The Egyptian Commanders were Billhotep and Donsobek.
Terrain was pretty minimla with each side rolling for a single Low Rise in their Right Central Sector of the table.
The Sea Peoples Commanders cam up wit a relatively simple plan reflective of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the 2 armies. They decided to Charge as fast as possible in the centre with their infantry, hoping that the Impetus of the Warbands and the presence of the FV 3-6 Egyptian Foot Archers would give them the combat advantage. Additionally, te large body shields of the Ahhiyawa would provide them with extra 'Protection' against the Egyptian Archery.
For te Flanks, they positioned the Ox Cart Unit on the right supported by a single unit of Light Chariots. On their left, they positioned the single unit of Massed Light Infantry, most of their Skirmishers and 6 of their 8 Light Chariots.
It would be a race against time. Could the Sea Peoples smash the Egyptian Centre before their Flanks were turned by the superior numbers of Egyptian Chariots?
For the Egyptians, Billhotep took control of the Egyptian left with its 2 units of 27 Miltia Grade Massed Light Infantry, 6 Chariots in 2 Model Units and the single unit of Mounted Egyptian Scouts.
Donsobek took control of the Egyptian right with its 15 Chariots in 5 units of 3, the Peherer to defend the Low Hill and the bulk of the Egyptian Infantry Centre.
It's worth noting at this point that the 2 Mode Light Chariot Units are much more manoeuvrable than the 3 Model Units as they can Wheel (4") with more ease. Tis makes them very useful when attempting to outflank enemy units. Unfortunately for Donsobek, Billhotep has all these 2Model Chariot Units and although he had 15 Chariots himself, they were all brigaded in Units of 3 Models.
So how did te battle actually 'pan out'?
Well, the Egyptian Archery in the Central Sector was pretty good and inflicted quite substantial numbers of casualties on the attacking Sea Peoples Warbands. The casualties inflicted also resulted in a couple of (temporary) Missile Halts. Given that the battle was a 'race against time', these Missile Halts were significant.
Nevertheless, Given the large size of the Infantry Units involved, this took a few Turns to resolve. the Sea Peoples Central attack duly 'went in' and a major infantry Melee was initiated in the centre. Given the large size of the Infantry Units involved, this Melee took a few Turns to resolve. Ultimately, the Sea Peoples were the more successful in this area of the field although the excellent performance of the Egyptian Foot Archers (only FV 3-6) was indeed noteworthy. They ultimately succumbed but not until after a very hard fight against the FV 4-6 Sea peoples Infantry.
So ,what was happening in the Flank Sectors whilst the 'Central Sector slog' was in progress, was going to be critical. Could the Egyptians outflank the Sea Peoples Infantry battleline>
No! They couldn't.
Billhotep on the left did ultimately manage to Break the massive Ox Cart unit of the Sea Peoples with his poor quality Asiatic Light Infantry but suffered significant casualties in doing so. Ill-disciplined Pursuits also compromised his attempts to intervene in the Central Sector.
On the Egyptian Right, Don sobek gradually overwhelmed the relatively weak Sea Peoples forces opposing him and there was ONE fleeting opportunity for a 'Reserve' Chariot Unit to potentaiallu outlank the leftmost Warband on the end of the Sea Peoples Infantry Centre.ever, the 'gap' available for exploitation actually proved to be just too narrow for a 3 Model Chariot Unit to get through and unfortunately, these were the only Chariot Units availabe to Donsobek. If only Donsobek had one of the 3 Units of 2 hariot Models, things might have been different. But he didn't and so the Central slog continued without any intervention by the somewhat frustrated Donsobek.
So in the end, BOTH armies reached their Army Breakpoint in the same Game Turn and exhausted, they mutually withdrew to declare a DRAW!
Battle will recommence in 2 weeks time.
Acknowledgements:
Billhotep (Bill Robertson) for most of the figures and some of the photography
Donsobek (Donald Linn) from the Greenock Club (and my pal) for standing in for Hughmose III who is in Sicily!
Grahagamemnon for extra Ahhiyawa Spearmen!
Gordysseus for enthusiasm and photography.
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