The Twilight of the Huns

In preparation for our Tuesday evening game, I tested a possible clash between two cavalry armies, the Huns and Western Turks, each 24 elements strong. To refresh my skill with cavalry, I tested two standard games with the Turks as the aggressor.

Test one

Hunnic cavalry has formed four groups to face the Turkish host. The Turkish right moved off their hill position to assault the Hunnic left hoping to turn the enemy flank while the main Turkic host moved slowly forward.

Despite the Turkic heavier cavalry, the Huns were able to hold the conflict in doubt. A final effort by the Turks tipped the balance to claim a minor victory (score 4-3).

Test two.

Drawing a new terrain card produced an open field allowing the Huns to extend their line.

The Turks launched their heavy cavalry to break the Hunnic line, the line buckled but did not break, but this had the unfortunate result of the Turkish general meeting his demise.

Taking advantage of an immobile enemy, the Huns inflict casualties to claim a decisive victory (score 4+gen-2).

Note: Both tests lasted four turns and were devoid of the usual cavalry tactics.

 

Final test, a double size command.

The Huns, now the aggressor, caught the Turks in a precarious position with their backs to a river line.

Sensing the urgency a being trapped, the Turkish heavy cavalry assailed the Hunnic center while Turkish horse archers enveloped the enemy left flank.

Turkish heavy cavalry crushed the Hunnic first line, leaving the survivors to gather on the rising ground. While gathering their strength to renew the fight at the hilltop, the battle on the Turkish left were seemed less favorable for the Turks.  

Despite their numerical superiority around the hilltop, the Turks could not prevail against a tenacious enemy. The battle reached a critical point when the Turkic left collapsed giving the Huns their victory (score 8-5).