VSF trial using DBF rules

Several weeks ago Jim and I played a Big Battle HotT game with my two 20mm VSF armies (British and Turkish). Our intent was to play a game with BBHotT and then the same armies with DBF. We managed this rematch this week. As usual, this is not a detailed AAR, but a selection of photos. My reflections are at the bottom of this post.

British on the left, Turkish on the right

Turkish aerial hero and flyers, behind a behemoth and a hero

British aerial hero and flyers

British behemoths

British knights (lancers)

Turkish riders

Turkish artillery and blades

Turkish great flyer (airboat in. HotT) attacks  British behemoth

Turkish dragon (a Djin that I use as a God in BBHotT) attacks British artillery

The outcome was similar in both games. My command of the Turkish troops was seriously inhibited by poor PIP die rolls. The fact that Behemoths count as unwieldy and so take 2 PIPs to move significantly slowed the movement. The critical action occurred in the centre, again slowed by lack of PIPS. I made several attacks simply to try out a few interactions. The initial attack with the great flyer (airboat) was not one I'd have made normally, for example.  We used the shooters are 'bow'. Given the period differences, in hindsight they might have been better classified as Warbow.

The interactions were interesting, and the slightly different mix of troop types made the game itself interesting. What I don't know yet is whether that was simply the novelty factor, or whether the extended variety of troop types significantly changes the game dynamic. My suspicion is that it does. More games are required. I am fortunate that Jim invested in a copy so that we can try these things out before I commit to what is a significant purchase in these post retirement days.

War of the Triple Alliance

This week's 15mm Volley and Bayonet outing was an 1866 battle from the War of the Triple Alliance in South America. As usual, not a full blown AAR but just a few shots of Jon's lovely figures.

A surprising amount of cavalry in the war, here a first combat

One of those 'frantic cavalry Melees' developed in the centre

I am enjoying the opportunities to play so many of the great sub periods of the 1700-1900 period covered by the Volley and Bayonet rules.

Confederate cavalry in 15mm

I have just finished the next batch of figures required for my 15mm American Civil war armies, with the last two stands of confederate cavalry. 

The last two stands of CSA cavalry

The three Union cavalry stands, previously painted

The three Confederate cavalry stands

The obligatory group photo with all six stands of cavalry

In our preferred 'games rules system, Volley and Bayonet, when ACW cavalry dismount they are represented by linear 'foot' stands. I am currently (internally) debating how many figures to place on each stand.. six? Eight? Nine? You can fit 12 figures on a base, but I think that will be too many, as it suggests a full infantry regiment equivalent, and for obvious reasons a dismounted cavalry regiment would be smaller in number. I am erring towards six of seven. I need to make up my mind before I order the figures.