Edgecote 1469

 We were a bit stuck for things to do this week so Tim kindly put on a Table Battles game. This was another Wars of the Roses outing, this time covering Warwicks rebellion and the Battle of Edgecote Moor in 1469. 

The scenario card. Warwick was off doing something dastardly and instead delegated fighting the battle of the mysterious 'Robin of Redesdale' whoever he may be. The Yorkists have a somewhat Welsh feel to them in this.

Both sides force cards. Warwicks lot are in red, while the Yorkists have a somewhat Welsh feel. Their first line is Herbert and Pembroke, with a rather reluctant Devon bringing up the rear. Redesdale also has Clapham in reserve.

This engagement has few force cards but has some horrible command choices. Both sides only have one morale point(!), but can gain another one by being first to get their reserves up. This is done by populating a special command card with three command blocks, which can only be done with a straight 3.

One morale point means either sides will lose if a single unit is routed, so getting those reinforcements up is vital. OTOH while Redesdale only has a single 6SP unit in the line, Pembroke and Herbert are only 4SP each, so much more vulnerable to breaking early. While Redsdale has fewer men at arms units, he does have his archers, while the Yorkist archers are lagging behind with Devons lot.

Both sides therefore have to juggle getting their reserves into action against preventing being routed before they arrive.

The usual crowd of suspicious characters. Russell and I took the Yorkists, while John and Simon took the rebels.

I'm afraid these games aren't very photogenic. Both sides are focussing on getting chits (the big red squares) onto their reserve command cards. The rebels are also keeping their archers in action - this unit is vital as it can 'screen' (ie block) Yorkist attacks, which prevents Pembroke and Herbert getting to grips.  Devon can ignore them however, so getting Devon up is important for the Yorkists.

Both sides eventually get their reserves up. Devon for the Yorkists, Clapham for the Rebels. Herbert has the useful ability that he can absorb hits directed at Pembroke.

Both front lines are knocking seven bells out of each other now. Pembroke is down to 2SP, Redesdale is on 4SP. Both Clapham and Herbert are at 3SP while Devon is massing for a huge 4 dice attack and the Rebel archers are nowhere to be seen.

The Rebels weathered Devons attack (using Redesdales 'counterattack' ability), but then Redesdale and Pembroke mutually annihilated each other, so no morale chips changed hands. It left Herbert facing Clapham, both down to 2SP.

As Devon built up for another attack, Clapham managed to nip in and rout Herbert, reducing the Yorkist morale to 0 and winning the game.

On Wednesday we swapped sides and did it again, although this time Pete substituted for Russell. So Pete and I played the Rebels, and John and Simon the Yorkists.

This time around the Yorkists got their reinforcements first, and a bonus morale chip, so we had twice the work to do to rout them. We had learned the value of the Rebel archers yesterday though and kept them topped up. 

This time around Pembroke was routed with Redesdale still on 2SP.

And also managed to get rid of Herbet by carefully alternating attacks between Clapham and Redsdale.

Another Rebel victory, more decisive that yesterday. This scenario is definitely winnable for the Yorkists (we came very, very close the previous day) but I'd say the Rebels have  a slightly easier time of it.

Once again, and enjoyable pair of games using a very clever and well thought out gaming system.