Klissow with Polemos Great Northern War (2)

Three more turns completed; things are hotting up and it is getting really interesting.

(A lot of explanation/preamble follows, so feel free to scroll to the piccies!)

The game has now been 'hanging around' for over a month. I had been using the time since part 1 to prepare some more figures, while also applying additional paint to some of those on the table (removing a base at a time, marking the spot). This was not particularly efficient, even by my standards, so I thought that I'd simply do a few more turns, to experience the mechanics further, as well as my changes^, and then pack it up.

This had still not occurred by Thursday evening, when Julian came over for a catch up, a couple of drinks and to chat about grand plans for a future campaign. Seeing the table still set up, he was happy to play out a few turns while he was here. It took us a while to get going again, since we were picking up rules that we'd only played once, so we only completed a turn and a bit, but with much useful discussion. I completed two more turns yesterday.

It was great to get Julian's input, especially as it has set-up an approach for me to follow in the role of Augustus when finishing it solo. His approach to tempo bidding is perhaps the most important of these 'command guidelines'.

In our first session we found that there were too few tempo points available to move sufficient troops. This was evident for the tempo player, but even worse for the non-tempo player. It seemed ridiculous that one could only move the front-line troops, or a few of them, especially if they engaged in any manoeuvres or actions. We had discussed adjusting the number of points available, perhaps with some calculation involving the number of brigades and a divisor. While the inherent scaling of this approach has some appeal, it seems unnecessarily complex. Then it came to me. Why not just let troops that are not in the front line move?

^This lead me to what I think is a sensible and viable solution to address the problem and one that is, effectively, already in the rules. A base or group of bases can conduct a basic move (as termed in the rules) for free. This effectively means that it can move forwards, for one move. This free move applies to forces of the tempo and non-tempo player. The base/group must be within five base widths of the commander of the formation. Tempo points are required, per the rules, if more than five base widths from the commander, or wanting to conduct more than one move or to do anything more 'advanced' like charge, move to contact, wheel... Tempo points are also required if the group is more than five bases in size. Like any change, it requires testing, but has held up so far (and has been an improvement over the rules as writ).

What does this have to do with Julian's approach to tempo bidding (his 'command guidelines')?

An important consideration in making any change to movement is the effect on tempo bidding for the initiative. In making this change my expectation was that it would actually add to the importance of tempo bidding. Since troops can move, irrespective of the number of points available, I concluded that it would free-up the player likely to have fewer tempo points (Augustus in this battle) to try to out-bid the player likely to have more (Charles in this battle). Furthermore, the player who more often has more points (Swedish) would be less guaranteed to win the initiative.

Before Julian arrived I had rolled for tempo and 'secretly' allocated tempo bids to win the initiative. I rolled '1' for the Saxons and '3' for the Swedes. This gave them four and eight tempo points to use respectively for bidding for the initiative and/or to send to sub-commanders. I allocated a bid of '1' for the Saxons and '4' for the Swedes, considering that the Saxon player wanted to bid as few as necessary and the Swedish player, with more points to use, wanted to guarantee the initiative. When I showed this to Julian he said, "What is the minimum bid?" We looked at the rules. A bid is done in secret. It does not state that it must be at least one. "Great, I'll bid no points!" he stated. "As Augustus, I can see no point in wasting tempo points as you cannot win the initiative." This set Augustus' approach for me; in the main, at least!

Enough of the preamble. Let the pictures and captions tell the developing story.

I had planned the next Swedish turn since the last session. So, after Saxon artillery bombardment (which caused further disruption to the Swedish cavalry on the left), the infantry advanced and fired, with a view to a later charge (classic Swedish tactics of the period).

It was not particularly successful.

For his part, Julian continued to send cavalry against the Swedish left flank.

With some success.

Next turn saw tempo rolls of '1' and '2' for Augustus and Charles respectively. Charles bid three, Augustus zero.

Sometimes it takes a while, and the input of someone else, to utilise the mechanics of rules as intended. I was wondering how to get the infantry across the swampy stream? They needed to use more than one move, but now the group was broken up. I had been considering that a group had to be formed at the beginning of a move. "Is that the case?" queried Julian. We looked at the rules. Absolutely not. There is no statement that a group is formed at the beginning of a turn. I was bringing that over from Impetus! So, the solution to my problem was to allocate all the tempo points to Lieven's infantry command, to re-align the forward brigade and then execute two additional moves and gå på at the Saxon defences!

We concluded the evening with bombardment (no effect) and the set-up moves of the Swedish infantry. Charge to follow.

I picked up the turn the next day. The charge ensued. Only partially successful. Two Saxon bases (roughly battalions) got to fire, but the Swedish one on the left of the line got in.

With good effect. The Saxon defending unit broke, leaving a gap in the line!

On the left, some success this time for the Swedish cavalry.

The Saxon base from the next line moved to filled the gap, but the resulting test to 'move to contact' meant that the Swedes were able to charge in response, leading to an on-going mêlée.

The remaining Saxon battalions fired at long range.

To little effect, aside from an extra stagger.

On the Swedish left the Polish cavalry set-up for an outflanking charge...

while continuing to do well in on-going mêlées.

Next turn was the exception to the established 'command guidelines'. I rolled '5' for the Saxons and '4' for the Swedes. This was an opportunity too good to miss. Augustus had some extra tempo to spend, so bid five. Charles had a good number, but needed lots to spare for offensive actions, so bid four. Initiative to the Saxons and Poles!

The Saxon infantry fired, hoping to break up the Swedish line.

Some success.

Saxon and Polish cavalry were ordered to charge the exposed Swedish left and far left.

The mêlée would continue for the Saxons, but the Polish flank charge was a winner—go them winged hussars!

In their phase, the Swedish infantry reformed and charged again.

That left-most battalion has driven a large gap in the line.

While two battalions (bases) remain engaged in mêlée.

The struggle is reaching its climax. The Swedes have made some in-roads into the Saxon line, but it has been slow and piecemeal. Meanwhile Lubomirski's Polish cavalry, particularly, but aided by Flemings's Saxon horse, are seeking to exploit the weakness of the Swedish left. Which side will achieve a crucial breakthrough first?

The rules have survived two 'engagements with the enemy' and are holding up well. Nay, I am enjoying them more and more and appreciating the mechanics. Julian said that he finds the taking of staggers rather than actual losses too stylised, but it does not concern me. The overall mechanic of charges, firing and mêlée are clever and work really well to my mind. Tempo and movement are making more sense, while allowing bases that are not in the front line to move has improved this aspect. It makes for a better look and feel to the game too.

I want to play it out over the weekend, and should be able to do so, while it is fresh in my mind and quite exciting.