Dux Britanniarum at Writtle

Today, Ian and I had a game of "DuxBrit" as a refreshes as he is about to start another campaign with Steve C.

We decided on a straight forward battle without the pre-amble of pre-game events such as challenges by champions etc.

As Ian will have the Romano-British in their campaign, it was these he brought along and I had the Saxon invaders.

The British were first out and advance towards the church (the only feature on our table).

My Saxon leader has set up with archers, two elite groups and three of warriors ready to go.

Here's the Saxon Lord with his Champion and Bannerman.

He quickly dispatches a formation of elites to confront the British warriors and elites beside the church.

and not to be left out of it, he hurries to catch up with his warriors - the enemy skirmish troops to the right of the church are already getting some hits on them (blue shields denote shock) 

Not to be out done, Saxon archers are sent to harass the enemy from their flank

Here we see the Romano-British Lord with his Champion leading his household troops

Action !  The Saxon warriors attack the enemy

By playing a "Goad" card, they prevent half of the enemy shield wall formation from taking part

Quite effectively as the British retreat with casualties - however, the Saxons lost two men too

The Saxon Lord has now caught up accompanied by his other warriors so the British now have their hands full !

Another round of combat ensues

Both sides are now showing shock on their groups as gaps appear in the ranks

One group of Saxons with the Lord have taken so much shock that they have had to retreat - back in clear range of the enemy skirmishers !

but the British see two of their best units down to half strength meaning the Levy are going to have to do their part

Saxon warriors attempt to out manoeuvre the unwieldy Levy shield wall

so long as they can keep their enemy to their front, they get the benefit of their shields.

Saxon archers torment them as the formations jostle for a chance to get around the enemy

The shield wall moves first and charges the Saxons

with great success - the Saxons are thrown back with shock in the "red zone"

The British leader dashers to join his Levy to press home their attack again

The Saxon warriors back off again

but now the Saxon elite troops charge the Levy who have to turn to meet them - another Saxon Goad card is played again isolating one British group forcing them to fight alone

This tactic again proves decisive and the Levy break - with their better quality troops already out of action and unable to assist, the Saxons have clearly won

But the British had their moments and the Levy can hold their heads up high as they performed better than their so-called elite troops !

A good fight - Dux Britanniarum is such a good rule set, glad we have blown the dust off these again.

Let's see if Ian can find a way to oppose Steve's Saxons if they adopt the same goading tactics !