This
was our first opportunity to use the D3H2 and for this test we had an Orc-Goblin
raiding party invade a minor Kislev principality mirroring the army list of
III/48 Rus. Armies were 24 points each with generals free for each side. The
Rus fielded their spearmen, skirmishers, Bulgar allies and a pack of wolves to
add a touch of fantasy to their side and the Orcs deployed a behemoth (troll), Orc
warband, skirmishers, Goblin horde supported by Goblin riders and a shaman.
Game
one.
Three
wood and a small hamlet framed an open ground sufficient for both sides to
deploy their troops. The Rus spearmen formed two lines echeloned to the right
and skirmishers took positions on either flank with the wolves. Prince Igor and
his Bulgar allies formed a central reserve.
Placing
their behemoth in centre, the Goblin horde formed to its left and Orc warbands on
the opposite side displaying a formidable line. The Orc shaman took a position to
the right of the line.
Both
sides moved eagerly forward as there was no shortage of pips; this brought both
sides into early contact. The Rus shield wall broke at one point but the jubilant
Green skins were flanked and destroyed on the following turn.
Solid
battle lines quickly dissipated as casualties mounted for both sides. The Rus,
taking advantage of the chaos cut down a number of isolated units to seize victory
with a score 8 – 12.
Game
two.
The
Orc commander took the opportunity to replace the shaman for a viable number of
warband and Prince Igor. for his victory was given Hero status for the cost of
two spear.
The
Rus again defending, formed their shield wall resting its right flank on a wood.
To its left were the Bulgar allies supported by all the skirmishers.
The
Orcs, now reinforced with extra warband deployed in a similar formation feeling
confident of success. The Orcs moved quickly forward to close with the Rus, however,
their advance stalled as both flanks were threatened by the presence of
skirmishers on their right and howling wolves on their left. Adding further to
Orc discomfort the Bulgar knights cleaved a number of Goblin horde to the right
of the battle line.
Sensing
the ‘do or die’ moment, the Orc general sounded his war horn to be answered
with a deafening roar of the warbands and behemoth. Charging full tilt into the
Rus shield wall and as the dust settled the Rus still formed an unbroken shield
wall with green-skin corpses forming a rampart. Coupled with earlier losses the
Orcs retired off the battle field leaving the Rus victorious with a score of 1 –
12.
Some
observations
On
a positive point, my opponent (Jan) did like the freedom of element selection. Discarding
the shaman as a poor investment, aside from its cost, pips were needed for scrying.
With this in mind, the warband would make a better option.
The
composition of the Rus closely followed their army list including the Bulgar nobles
(3Kn) as allies. Rus skirmishers cost less than standard foot troop and for
their reduced cost this permitted the use of wolves (beasts).
Both
games moved quickly despite the increase score needed for victory; 12 points are
required for victory. Comparing this to a standard ancients game, the fantasy
games take several turns more to reach a decision.
A
revenge match is scheduled in two weeks.
