Late Medieval rematch – Bavarian vs. Austrian Coalition AD 1400

Our monthly DBA3 game fielded the army Bavaria against an Austrian Coalition using the same composition as the previous game. This evening’s game was played between Peter and Owen, two veteran DBM-ers who have now played a number of DBA3 games.

This however, was the first time with late medieval forces whose composition of troop types promised to test their skills.

Both sides deployed strong centers with the majority of knights facing each other across open terrain. On the Austrian right, the Swiss formed up against a mixed force of knights and foot. In the previous game, the Swiss crumbled before the Bavarian foot, so I was curious if this would be repeated.

Unfortunately, I became so involved taking mental notes, I frequently forgot to take photos.

This first photo shows the initial deployment.

A brief summary.

The Austrians moved both flanks to engage the enemy while the center held back to employ better their massed guns. The Bavarians having less artillery were compelled to engage the Austrians as quickly as possible. The Bavarians may have lacked artillery, but had an advantage of crossbowmen to compensate.

The Bavarians moved slowly forward so as to be able to fire while moving. This approach delivered a number of enemy recoils but for the most part had little effect.

By bound four, the Swiss were earning their reputation making good use of their pike supported by blade. The following turn brought more losses, such that the Bavarian left wavered and became demoralised.

Second photo shows the position at the end of bound two.

Quite the opposite was happening on the Bavarian right as their knights bested the Austrians to demoralize them on the following bound.   

Time was called on what was a very close game as both sides, having lost a command each were so close toward claiming a second. We finished the evening with some interesting observations and comparisons with DBM.

The both liked the flank support option among blade, crossbow and spear. 

Only the Swiss had pikes while both Austrian and Bavarians made use of spear. 

Psiloi or skirmishers were becoming very useful and no longer the cannon fodder they used to be. 

Pursuing blade were instrumental in knocking out the Bavarian left, while the Bavarians made good use of their knights supported by solid foot on the opposite flank. 

Our next game, scheduled in two weeks, will bring us back to the ancient period with a larger game during the Marcommani wars.