Battle of Novara, June 6, 1513; Scenario for BoB2

    Viewed as the last great victory of the Swiss pikemen, the Battle of Novara was a surprise dawn attack by the Swiss, who were supporting the return of Maximilian Sforza to power as Duke of Milan. Despite the French victory at the battle of Ravena the previous year, the French had lost control of the Duchy in 1512, and had only recently taken control of it once again. The French, under La Tremouille, were aware of the approach of a large Swiss relief force (the Citadel of Milan had only just been recaptured by the French a few weeks prior). They stood to arms in the event of a Swiss attack, but none materialized, and the Swiss were reported to still be some distance off, and doubtless tired from their long forced march form their cantons. The French bedded down in the village of Trecate for the night, figuring the weary Swiss would surely rest overnight before reorganizing for the attack....

This scenario has been adapted for use with my own  Band of Brothers, 2nd edition rules from that of James Roach, James' version is for his own Piquet/FoB inspired rules, "Hell Broke Loose". If you've some how missed his posts about Novara, and the Italian Wars in general, do yourself a favor and check them out. His painting is awesome in both its quality and its volume!

Terrain notes: The buildings of Trecate are class III terrain. The Marsh is Class III terrain for movement, but offers no cover. The woods and French camp are class II terrain.

French Order of Battle:

Use the following Sequence Deck (modified from the "Great Italian Wars" Muster French):
Cavalry Move in Open 2, Cavalry Maneuver 1, Infantry Move in Open 2, Infantry Maneuver 1, Inf-Cav Move in III/IV 2, Engines of War Move 1, Engines of War Reload 1, Missile Reload 2, Elites Reload 1, Deployment 1, Heroic Moment 2, Melee Resolution 4, Leader Check 3, Milling Around 3, Courage 1, Command Indecision 2*

50 Morale Points

UNIT/description	RATING	FIRE	MELEE	MORALE	NOTES
Gendarmes #1	Elite Household EHC; Hvy Lance	N/A	Up 5	Up 2	metal bard; +2 BDV Fearsome!
Gendarmes #2	Elite Household EHC; Hvy Lance	N/A	Up 5	Up 2	metal bard; +2 BDV Fearsome!
Mtd “Archers”  #1	Elite Feudal HC; Light Lance	N/A	Up 4	Up 1	+2 BDV
Mtd “Archers” #2	Elite Feudal HC; Light Lance	N/A	Up 4	Up 1	+2 BDV

COMMANDER	description	LEADERSHIP	RADIUS	Notes
La Tremouille				+2 to Quality roll; Army C-in-C
		Difficulty Die:		Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D6

** La Tremouille was nearly captured in bed by the Swiss assault in Trecate; as such, he cannot be rated any better than Average, regardless of the D20 roll for his quality!

UNIT/description	RATING	FIRE	MELEE	MORALE	NOTES
Gendarmes #3	Elite Household EHC; Hvy Lance	N/A	Up 5	Up 2	metal bard; +2 BDV Fearsome!

COMMANDER	description	LEADERSHIP	RADIUS	Notes
Robert, Duc d’ Bouillon				aka Robert de la Marck; +2 to Quality roll
		Difficulty Die:		Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D6

UNIT/description	RATING	FIRE	MELEE	MORALE	NOTES
Mounted Crossbowmen	Militia LC; X-bow, Imp weapons	Up 1	Dn 1	Dn 1	Skirmish only!
Stradiots	Mercenary MC, Javelin, swd, shld	NC	Up 2	NC

COMMANDER	description	LEADERSHIP	RADIUS	Notes
Sieur de la Bodice				+2 to Quality roll
		Difficulty Die:		Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D6

UNIT/description	RATING	FIRE	MELEE	MORALE	NOTES
Sk. Crossbows #1	Militia LI, X-bow. Imp weapons	Up 2	Dn 1	Dn 1	Skirmish only!
Sk. Crossbows #2	Militia LI, X-bow. Imp weapons	Up 2	Dn 1	Dn 1	Skirmish only!
Sk. Crossbows #3	Militia LI, X-bow. Imp weapons	Up 2	Dn 1	Dn 1	Skirmish only!
Sk. Crossbows #4	Militia LI, X-bow. Imp weapons	Up 2	Dn 1	Dn 1	Skirmish only!
Crossbowmen A	Mercenary MI; X-bow, Imp wpns	Up 3	NC	NC	Formed only
Crossbowmen B	Mercenary MI; X-bow, Imp wpns	Up 3	NC	NC	Formed only

COMMANDER	description	LEADERSHIP	RADIUS	Notes
Sieur de Beaumont				+2 to Quality roll
		Difficulty Die:		Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D6

UNIT/description	RATING	FIRE	MELEE	MORALE	NOTES
Landsknecht Pike #1	Mercenary MI; Pike	NA	Up 2	NC	36 -Pike Block
Land. Arquebusiers A	Mercenary LI; Arquebus, Imp wpn	Up 2	NC	NC	Skirmish only!
Landsknecht Pike #2	Mercenary MI; Pike	NA	Up 2	NC	36 -Pike Block
Land. Arquebusiers B	Mercenary LI; Arquebus, Imp wpn	Up 2	NC	NC	Skirmish only!
Hvy Artillery C	Militia Artillery; Heavy Guns	Up 2	Dn 2	Dn 1
Hvy Artillery D	Militia Artillery; Heavy Guns	Up 2	Dn 2	Dn 1

COMMANDER	description	LEADERSHIP	RADIUS	Notes
Florange				+2 to Quality roll
		Difficulty Die:		Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D6

Swiss/Milanese Order of Battle

Use the following Swiss Sequence Deck (modified from the "Twilight of Chivalry" Muster Swiss): 
2 cavalry Move in Open, 1 Cavalry Maneuver, 3 Infantry Move in Open, 1 Infantry Maneuver, 2 Inf-Cav Move in III/IV, 1 Engines of War Move, 1 Engines of War Reload, 2 Missile Reload, 1 Elites Reload, 1 Deployment, 1 Heroic Moment, 5 Melee Resolution, 3 Leader Check, 2 Milling Around, 1 Courage!, 1 Pillage and Loot!

35 Morale Points

UNIT/description	RATING	FIRE	MELEE	MORALE	NOTES
Milanese Famiglia	Elite Household EHC; Hvy Lance	N/A	Up 5	Up 2	metal bard; +1 BDV Fearsome!
Swiss Pikes	Elite Mecenary HI/MI; Pike	N/A	Up 3	Up 1	24-Pike Block; +2 BDV; Auto-Rally; Fearsome!
Swiss Crossbowmen	Mercenary LI; X-bow. imp wpn	Up 3	NC	NC	Skirmish only! +2 BDV

COMMANDER	description	LEADERSHIP	RADIUS	Notes
Maximilian Sforza				+1 to Quality roll
		Difficulty Die:		Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D10

UNIT/description	RATING	FIRE	MELEE	MORALE	NOTES
Swiss Pikes	Elite Mecenary HI/MI; Pike	N/A	Up 3	Up 1	36-Pike Block; +2 BDV Auto-Rally; Fearsome!
Swiss Arquebusiers	Mercenary LI; Arquebus, Imp wpn	Up 2	NC	NC	Skirmish only! +2 BDV

COMMANDER	description	LEADERSHIP	RADIUS	Notes
Hauptman von Lucerne
		Difficulty Die:		Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D10

UNIT/description	RATING	FIRE	MELEE	MORALE	NOTES
Swiss Pikes	Elite Mecenary HI/MI; Pike	N/A	Up 3	Up 1	52-Pike Block;   +2 BDV Auto-Rally; Fearsome!
Swiss Arquebusiers	Mercenary LI; Arquebus, Imp wpn	Up 2	NC	NC	Skirmish only! +2 BDV
Swiss Pikes	Elite Mecenary HI/MI; Pike	N/A	Up 3	Up 1	52-Pike Block;   +2 BDV Auto-Rally; Fearsome!
Swiss Arquebusiers	Mercenary LI; Arquebus, Imp wpn	Up 2	NC	NC	Skirmish only! +2 BDV
Medium Gun	Militia Artillery; Medium Guns	Up 1	Dn 2	Dn 1

COMMANDER	description	LEADERSHIP	RADIUS	Notes
Hauptman von Zurich				Army C-in-C
		Difficulty Die:		Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D10

Deployment Notes

Commands outlined in Red are Swiss/Milanese, those outlined in Blue are French. The inside colors correspond to those used for that Command in the OOB's above. La Tremouille's command are all billeted in the village's buildings, Out of Command and dismounted. The units of his Command may only leave the village by one or more of the roads. 

Scenario Rules

The Charlotte "Rule of 1/3" will be used for Impetus. The two French Command Indecision cards are each removed after their first appearance. If the French camp is occupied by the enemy, the French lose D6 Morale chips each time a French Leadership card is turned and there are Swiss/Milanese units inside the camp. 

This scenario will be run next week oin Saturday at Historicon.