I played another quick scenario with Soldier's Companion the other night to learn the mechanics and, as hoped, missile armed irregulars can, in fact, make life difficult for imperial troops.
Bolstered by this "discovery", I feel ready to play out the scenario, Martian Messiah, from the rule book, with a few changes to fit my imaginary world and the island of Helvetica.
The setup: A lizard folk shaman has been sowing seeds of rebellion among the northern lizard folk tribes, formerly under Sauvignon -Blanc's rule. Rather than send a punitive expedition to rout out the instigator, the commander of Riesling forces on the island of Helvetica deemed it best to send a small force, a single platoon, led by an officer, with the intent to capture or kill the shaman with as little fanfare as possible. There is the ever growing concern that his message might make its way to the southern tribes and plunge the island into chaos. The clouds of war loom large over the continent, so little support would be forthcoming in the event.
Forces:
Riesling - 1 platoon + 1 officer, 9 figures total., V1 (Veteran, Fieldcraft 1)
Lizard folk - 1 warband (19 figures) split into two 9-figure sub groups +the shaman. (Experienced, Fieldcraft 3)
Of course, since this is the next chapter in a campaign (documented here, scroll down to Battle for Helvetica), I can' simply rush to the table to play.
After all, there are names to look up for the officers and ncos, a map to review, a map to re-do in Hexographer just because, considerations of how/if this will be a one-off or if it will be a prelude to a Featherstone style colonial campaign, etc.
I don't need to do all of this before the lead hits the table, but some of it might impact the "AI" for the lizard folk. So, at the rate I'm going, I hope to be ready to play by the weekend.
Wherein Our Hero blathers on about playing with toy soldiers, playing RPGs and related interests for his own edification.
Another thing to try would be screening your heavy foot with lights until the heavies get close enough to charge through the screen.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat G,
DeleteI had hoped to do something similar to that - using the bows to screen for the melee troops - but the warband split up to harass my platoon. Unfortunately, their second attack actually managed to drive my platoon back, which ironically, put them in position to blaze away with their rifles instead of going toe-to-toe.
-John
Hi Pat G,
DeleteI had hoped to do something similar to that - using the bows to screen for the melee troops - but the warband split up to harass my platoon. Unfortunately, their second attack actually managed to drive my platoon back, which ironically, put them in position to blaze away with their rifles instead of going toe-to-toe.
-John