Jonathan of Palouse Wargaming Journal invited the Rejects to an online game to dip our toes into the waters of Basic Impetus. The outing was to be an Egyptian/Hittite clash.
The Hittites are closest on the photos (screenshots), with me and Steve commanding. At the other end are the Pharaoh's boys led by Lee, Ray and Surjit.
As a complete novice, I have to confess to paying more attention to the rules than the action. So, what follows is a brief resumé.
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| Both sides rubble towards each other. The dust clouds representing the moving chariots. |
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| The Pharaoh's chariots smash into the Hittite chariots on the left. |
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| Ray, the Pharaoh, rolled beyond the laws of probability all evening and pushed the Hittite left back. |
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| ... and back |
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... and back.
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... and back.
The only consolation was that the Pharaoh was now isolated and damaged. |
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| The chariots on the Hittite right now sought to clear the Egyptian skirmishers and push at their chariots. |
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But found themselves thrown back instead.
Meanwhile, Steve on the Hittite left turned his spears and dispatched the Pharaoh. |
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| The centre seemed to be settling into a jockey for position with archery fire being utilised to damage the opponent. |
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| The Hittite commander trundled forward in the centre and got pulses racing with his ten dice in combat. |
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| The Egyptians set forth to break the Hittite right with a chariot charge which pushed back skirmishers, but then found itself at the sharp end of Hittite long spears... |
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... before being impaled and destroyed. We were all learning that chariots are good but quickly exhausted without support.
On the Hittite left, Steve's Pharaoh killing spearmen now cast their eyes on Rays last chariot unit. |
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| ... and made it disappear! |
With that final murderous blow, the Hittites gained a victory.
What the novice learned.
After Ray's incredible and dramatic action in breaking the Hittite chariots on the left, I thought the game was up. However, there were some further lessons to learn.
- Keeping control, especially of chariots, is difficult but is the key. Pursuit can be very fruitful, but will leave those units damaged and vulnerable if isolated.
- Skirmishers are actually very useful if handled well to absorb shooting, or to evade and draw enemy onto better troops behind where supported lines may hold an advantage.
- It never occurred to me that infantry could charge chariots. This just adds to the need for care and judicious use of these expensive units.
- Despite Ray's extraordinary dice rolling throughout, once isolated the Pharaoh was in danger, and average rolls were sufficient.
- Basic Impetus games can turn quickly.
- Basic Impetus seems to provide fast and entertaining games.
I am sure there is more to learn, but this is a start.
Thank you to Jonathan, who will no doubt produce his usual exemplary narrative on this clash, for an excellent and informative evening.
Thanks for a very instructive report. The screenshots are very clear and it makes the descriptions easy to follow. Insightful conclusions too.
ReplyDeleteChris/Nundanket
You are very welcome Chris.
DeleteI really enjoyed the game, even though we lost in the end. I had no idea, that the melee would go on and on and on as it did, pulling me further and further to your table edge. I could have not followed up, but it was just too tempting not to.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we finally got a game with Basic Impetus though, I've always wanted to play them, and hope we get a few more games in as well.
Like you, I learned a lot and will keep on that learning curve for the next few games to hopefully end up playing.
Glad you enjoyed the game, Ray!
DeleteGreat looking game sir!
ReplyDeleteRichard, this is an excellent and informative recap of the action. Anything I produce as a battle report can add little to what you have already written. Besides, when downloading photos this morning, I discovered that I did not have very many.
ReplyDeleteYour Lessons Learned list offers a great recap of what you took away in our first, brief soiree into Basic Impetvs. If you have learned these lessons then you are on your way to success. Wait! You and Steve actually won the first encounter!
Ray, really was unstoppable early on.
Thank you for your kind comment and being an excellent host.
DeleteIt was a stroke of genius, luring the Pharaoh into isolation like that. They seem like a fun set of rules, both in this report and the others of Jonathan's I have read. You certainly seemed to have picked up a few nuances even though it was just your group's first game with the rules.
ReplyDeleteMore chance than genius Lawrence.
DeleteLooks like you had fun Richard and found the post game thoughts really interesting and useful. I do get the feeling that you need to husband your chariot resources to make initial breaks or to administer the coup de grace, whilst using your infantry to protect them throughout.
ReplyDeleteThank you Steve. Your observations seem to match mine.
DeleteTwo good AAR'S about the battle. Chariots are shown as powerful and yet delicate if unsupported. Such as horseblood and lightly clad riders should be.
ReplyDeleteCheers. Your comment is much appreciated.
DeleteExcellent. And Ray should know better!
ReplyDeleteThank you and yes he should.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the game. I recently got into using Basic Impetus and find them a great set of rules
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil. They certainly move along smartly.
DeleteA great summary of the game, I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I was on the losing side. Like you I thought the game was up when ray's charge smashed through to the back line. Really looking forward to replay next week.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteGreat sounding game and interesting post game thoughts, basic impetus was my route back into historical gaming and away from 40k etc, I really liked it, even though it could all go down the pan at the drop of a hat!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain
DeleteIt certainly can turn quickly.