Deployment.
We both had split our armies into two commands,
one cavalry, one foot.
The seem to be facing each other off.
Downgraded again!
This will be the last battle in which I use my Burgundian generals to command my Byzantines.
End of Turn One.
My light cavalry have already scored a hit on the enemy.
Mark's figures are so well turned out, it seems a shame to shoot them up.
End of Turn Two.
Lots of archery is underway.
End of Turn Three.
Still more shooting.
End of Turn Four.
The Fatimids charge.
One Byzantine cavalry unit is routed.
It starts to look grim...
Desperate fighting by the Burgundian Commander in Chief.
He's been downgraded, but he's still reliable, if a bit out of touch with his troops.
On my left flank, my new skirmishers are doing really well.
This is a rarity for new troops.
End of Turn Five.
The initial cavalry clash is over.
The Fatimids still have plenty of fight left in them.
The Fatimid subgeneral is feeling the love.
End of Turn Six.
Phew!
That was a really close run thing.
Narrow victory to the Byzantines. Both sides lost a command, but some additional casualties just tipped the Fatimids over their break point.
The Fatimid infantry had made a promising charge, but just couldn't budge the Byzantine foot.
A second cavalry charge, while causing carnage, left the Fatimids exposed to some deadly fire from the Byzantine light cavalry, which clinched the game for the Nikephorians.
Next time Mark and I plan to run medieval armies and see just how deadly the longbow can be.
Beautiful looking game Mark. Yes Stretch is a wonderful painter and his armies are always so impressive to look at. Still loving the photographic "stills" of battle.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carlo. I need to set things up to make another GIF with the idea of taking a photo after each initiative which would provide four images per turn. As it was, even though the playing area is only 4x3 (out of a 6x4 table) I was having trouble capturing all the action and my skirmishers on my far left flank are missing in many of the photos.
DeleteAppreciate the comment Carlo
DeleteFatimid Egyptians make a nice historical opponent for Nikephorean Byzantines. Perhaps, though, it is a bit TOO similar to the Byzantine...
ReplyDeleteYes, very similar. With Impetus the Byzantine bow are slightly stronger (4 to 3) while the spearmen are weaker (4 to 5). The Fatimid cavalry are stronger (6 to 5), but they lacked the light cavalry that proved quite deadly in our game.
DeleteThe next battle for my Byzantines is against some Imperial Romans. But after that the next game will see my Burgundians take the field.