SAGA: AAR - I cannae' swim , Chief!

The saga continues...

Today's game over at Livingston Battleground saw the Scots and Vikings attempting to cross a river, by way of two fords, to control the lands on the other-side.

The Scots got the initiative roll and deployed half their units first; the Vikings then deployed all their forces with the Viking warlord and multiple hearth-guard units concentrating strength on one ford and their remaining warriors and berserkers lining up for a foray on the other.

The Scots fielded their newly formed levy archers, positioning them between the two fords to provide supporting fire and, maximizing their ranged ability, lined up a large group of levy javelins along with a strong mounted hearth-guard unit to take the ford opposed by the Viking warriors and berserkers. Scots warriors and a smaller hearth-guard unit positioned at the other ford.

The Scots mounted hearth-guards quickly took advantage of their long movement and activated twice to cross the ford and head deep into the Viking flank in turn one. This manoeuvre set the narrative as this powerful cavalry unit initially drew some Viking warriors away from the nearest ford to attempt an intercept but the canny cavalry then dodged them and made a long run straight along the rear of the Viking lines to bear down on the Viking warlord at the other ford!

It was clear that the Scots, still smarting from the surprise attack on their warlord in the final turn of the last battle, wanted to restore honour and were out to deliver a similar fate to the Viking boss! The trap was sprung and the Viking war boss and his faithful hearth-guard found themselves funnelled into the tight confines of the ford with Scots warriors and archers to the fore and heavy cavalry at their backs!

However, the Vikings did manage to get most of their warriors and berserkers across the other ford, as they only had the Scots javelin levy opposing the crossing once the Scots cavalry had moved away. The javelins let them come on, firing off volleys as they manoeuvred to keep their distance from the Viking marauders, knowing the devastation they would unleash if they got into melee.

On the last turn, the courageous Viking war boss finally succumbed to the numerous Scots spears, although the Vikings did have slightly more VPs with their warriors and berserkers over the river - the Scots failed to get a crucial saga dice roll to activate the javelin levy poised to attempt the thin the ranks of the weak-armoured berserkers!

Another draw, and another superb game!

SAGA: AAR - Chin Rubbing

Yet another clash between the Scots and Vikings today at Livingston Battleground. I thoroughly enjoyed this one; I think Ian and I are now getting fully to grips with Saga rules to the point where we're both concentrating on our 'Battle boards', planning our strategy and tactics, as it should be.

Today's game saw us both deep in thought with much chin-rubbing! The scenario has pretty simple - take and hold the hill in the centre marked with the Celtic cross.

I used two small mounted Hearthguard units, followed up by a large unit of warriors with a war banner to quickly take the hill; there followed a lot of tactical maneuvering and probing and clashes along the lines with the hill changing hands a number of times. By the end, both sides were considerably reduced, with two battered Scots units still on the hill.

But in a shock last ditch charge, those bloody Viking Berserkers, who spent much of the game lurking in the woods, made a charge on the fatigued Scots War Boss, who had only just repelled another unit of Viking warriors on his other flank! The Scots War Boss put up a brave fight but succumbed to the frenzied attacks from the berserkers. Since time was up and the Scots had a relatively strong position on the hill, we called it a draw!

Damn good game and up for more next week!

There's Vikings in the Long House!

More tough and grueling fighting between the Scots and the Vikings today with a game of Saga at Livingston Battleground. Ian brought his excellent 4Ground buildings - including the Long House which the adversaries were attempting to capture and hold.