Thursday, July 20, 2017

Historicon #2: Battle of Ravenna April 11, 1512

I ran this game Thursday night, using Hostile Realms.

Note: This scenario is lightly modified from that devised by James for BoB2, for my use with Hostile Realms. With apologies to James, I have largely reproduced it below:

GENERAL BRIEFING
Louis XII of France placed his army of Italy under the command of Gaston de Foix. This very young but capable commander drove away the Spanish and Papal forces besieging Bologna, and then turned on the Venetians, inflicting a severe defeat upon them, and then successfully stormed Brescia.


Whilst Gaston de Foix was occupied against the Venetians, Ramon de Cordona the Spanish Viceroy of Naples and his Papal allies reoccupied much of Romagna. Gaston, realising that he could not pursue a campaign in two places at once, decided to force the allies into a decisive open battle, defeat them, and free himself to pursue any course of strategy he wished. To force Ramon’s hand Gaston marched on the most important city held by the allies, Ravenna. He set up his camp and sighted his artillery on the left bank of the River Ronco.


Ramon determined that Ravenna was in serious danger and marched to relieve the siege by threatening Gaston’s lines of communication without risking an open battle. But the celebrated engineer Pedro Navarro showed Ramon a position on the right bank of the Ronco, within two miles of the city, which given time to throw up a ditch and earthwork, he guaranteed impregnable.


Whilst the Spanish spent the night digging the French spent the night constructing a bridge of boats over the Ronco. Everyone knew that a fight would take place next day and the respective commanders issued formal defiances by trumpet.

For more background online, here is the Wikipedia article. 



Map (and scenario) are from James' most excellent blog (see link above).

FRENCH BRIEFING
To win the battle you must destroy or rout 8 units of the enemy (artillery sections and skirmish units count as half units) within 10 turns (French MOVE cards). Anything else will be considered a loss.


D’Algre's rear guard
From the second appearance of your Stratagem Card you may bring up D’Algre's force via the bridge of boats. If the reserves are called you must destroy an extra unit of the enemy to win. These troops are from the (off table) rear guard that Gaston ordered to prevent a sally from the city. DO NOT DEPLOY THE ARTILLERY SECTION.


Hidden battery
Providing D’Algres is present, you may put a battery of light artillery anywhere on the left bank of the river. This represents D’Alegres’ moving some artillery to fire into the flank of the allied cavalry.


Battle of Ravenna, April 11 1512  - French Order of Battle  - HR


Sequence Deck (based upon Middle Kingdom):  2 Army Morale, 2 Courage!, 3 Engines of War Reload, 2 Favor of the Gods, 1 Light Cavalry Move, 2 Heroic Moment, 2 Leadership Check, 2 Lull, 1 Maneuver, 4 Melee, 3 Move, 1 Move 1 Command, 2 Missile Reload, 1 Uncontrolled Charge, 1 Undisciplined Advance*, 1 Stratagem


French Morale Points: (count as 26 units)


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Gendarmes #1
Guard EHC; Hvy Lance
N/A
D12+3
D10
metal bard; Fearsome!
Gendarmes #2
Guard EHC; Hvy Lance
N/A
D12+3
D10
metal bard; Fearsome!


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Gaston de Foix



+2  to Quality roll; Army C-in-C; UP 2 Morale and Melee
C-in-C

Difficulty Die:

Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D6


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Ital Gendarmes #3
Regular EHC Hvy Lance
N/A
D12+1
D6
metal bard
Ital Gendarmes #4
Regular EHC Hvy Lance
N/A
D12+1
D6
metal bard
Hvy Artillery #9
Militia Artillery; Heavy Guns
D10
D4
D6

Hvy Artillery #10
Militia Artillery; Heavy Guns
D10
D4
D6



COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Marshal de La Palice



NC to Quality roll; Up 1 Morale and Melee


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Sk. Crossbows #5
Militia LI, Heavy X-bow. Imp weapons
D10
D4
D6
Skirmish only!
Sk. Crossbows #6
Militia LI, Hvy X-bow. Imp weapons
D10
D4
D6
Skirmish only!
Sk. Crossbows #7
Militia LI, Hvy X-bow. Imp weapons
D10
D4
D6
Skirmish only!
Sk. Crossbows #8
Militia LI, Hvyu X-bow. Imp weapons
D10
D4
D6
Skirmish only!
Landsknecht Pike #11 A
Regular MI, Pike
N/A
D8
D6
36- Pike Block
Landsknecht Pike #11 B
Regular MI, Pike
N/A
D8
D6
36 - Pike Block


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Jacob Empser



+1 to Quality roll; Up 1 Morale and Fire


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Picard Pikes #12
Militia MI; Pike
N/A
D6
D6
36-Pike Block
Picard Pikes #13
Militia /MI; Pike
N/A
D6
D6
36-Pike Block


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Siegniuer de Morlat



NC to Quality roll  Up 1 Morale and Melee


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Italian Pike #14
Regular MI; Pike
N/A
D8
D6
36 Pike Block
Sk. Arquebusier #15
Reg LI, Arq, Imp weapons
D10
D4
D6
Skirmish only!
Sk. Arquebusier #16
Reg LI, Arq, Imp weapons
D10
D4
D6
Skirmish only!


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Federigo de Bozzolo



NC to Quality roll; Up 1 to Fire


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Stradiots #19
MC, Regular, Javelin
D6
D8
D6

Stradiots #20
MC, Regular, Javelin
D6
D8
D6

Mtd X-bow #17
LC, Militia, Xbow, imp w
D8
D4
D6
Skirmish only!
Mtd X-bow #18
LC, Militia, Xbow, imp w
D8
D4
D6
Skirmish only!


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Caraciolo



-1 to Quality Roll; Up 1 Morale and Fire


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Heavy Guns #21
Militia Artillery; Heavy Guns
D10
D4
D6
“#22 on map”


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Marquis de Ferrara



NC to Quality roll; Up 1 Morale and Fire


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Sk. Crossbows #23
Militia LI, Hvy X-bow. Imp weapons
D10
D4
D6
Skirmish only!
Sk. Crossbows #24
Militia LI, Hvy X-bow. Imp weapons
D10
D4
D6
Skirmish only!
Italian Pike #25
Regular MI; Pike
N/A
D8
D6
36 Pike Block
Ital Merc Gend #26
Regular EHC Hvy Lance
N/A
D12+1
D6
metal bard
Light Artillery#27
Light Gun, Militia
D6
D4
D6
** special  deployment rules - see scenario!


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Yves d’Algre



+1 to Quality roll; Up 1 Morale and Fire


SPANISH BRIEFING
To win the battle you must defend your earthworks in anyway you see fit until the end of move 10 and lose less than 8 units (artillery and skirmish units count as half a unit each) doing so.


Hidden obstacles
Two of your Spanish infantry units have 20 or so small man handled carts equipped with heavy arquebus and various fixed spears and blades. These carts give the units a superior position frontally in melee and fire until the unit is pushed back in melee, when the carts are deemed destroyed. These carts, designed by Pedro Navarro, had two functions, firstly to break up infantry or cavalry formations, and secondly to provide a platform for heavy infantry firearms previously incapable of being deployed in a field battle.


Dead ground
At the outset of the game, you may declare that any/ all of your infantry is prone. Whilst prone troops count an extra down 2 cover bonus Vs artillery fire coming from the your side of the Ronco, they are DOWN 1 in Melee and Fire while [prone.. Infantry may be ordered to stand any time you have the initiative including a won Lull). This represents Navarro’s orders for the infantry to lie down in the low ground to prevent artillery casualties before the French assault.


Battle of Ravenna, April 11 1512  - Spanish Order of Battle - HR


Sequence Deck (based upon The Realm):  2 Army Morale, 2 Courage!, 2 Engines of War Reload, 2 Favor of the Gods, 1 Light Cavalry Move, 1 Heroic Moment, 2 Leadership Check, 3 Lull, 1 Maneuver, 3 Melee, 3 Move, 1 Move 1 Command, 3 Missile Reload, 1 Crushing Missilery


Imperial Morale Points: (count as 23 units)


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Papal Famiglia #1
Elite EHC; Heavy Lance
N/A
D12+2
D8
Fearsome!
Merc Gendarm #2
Regular EHC, Heavy Lance
NA
D12+1
D6



COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Ramon de Cardona



+1 to Quality Roll; Up 1 Morale and Melee
C-in-C

Difficulty Die:

Class II/IV D6;  “Other” D86


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Merc Gendarm #3
Regular EHC, Heavy Lance
NA
D12+1
D6

Merc Gendarm #4
Regular EHC, Heavy Lance
NA
D12+1
D6



COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Fabrizio Colonna



+1 to Quality Roll; Up 1 Morale and Melee


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Spanish Knts #5
Elite  EHC, Hvy Lance
N/A
D12+2
D8
Fearsome!


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Carvajal



NC to Quality Roll; Up 1 Morale and Melee


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Span. Genitors #8
Reg MC; Jav, Swds, Shld
D6
D10
D6

Span. Genitors #9
Reg MC; Jav, Swds, Shld
D6
D10
D6

Mounted Arq #6
Militia  LC Arquebus imp wpn
D8
D4
D6
Skirmish Only!
Mounted Arq #7
Militia  LC Arquebus imp wpn
D8
D4
D6
Skirmish Only!


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Marquis de Pescara



+1 to Quality Roll; Up 1 Morale and Melee


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Light Artillery #10
Light Gun, Militia
D6
D4
D6

Light Artillery #11
Light Gun, Militia
D6
D4
D6

Span Colunnella #12
Elite HI/MI  Arq/Pike
D12
D10
D8
See special rules
Span Colunnella #13
Elite HI/MI  Arq/Pike
D12
D10
D8
See special rules
Span Colunnella #14
Elite HI/MI  Arq/Pike
D12
D10
D8
See special rules
Span Colunnella #15
Elite HI/MI  Arq/Pike
D12
D10
D8
See special rules


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Pedro Navarro



+1 to Quality Roll; Up 1 Morale and Fire


Spanish colunellas
This is a new formation. It comprises 8 stands. Four front row stands of arquebus backed by Four stands of pike (the latter placed centrally). The formation counts as a battle-mass for morale, melee and target. It counts as a line for movement and fire. It may take one free stand of losses as per a pike blocks. They count three hits per stand.


UNIT/description
RATING
FIRE
MELEE
MORALE
NOTES
Papal Pike #16
Regular MI, Pike
N/A
D8
D6
36- Pike Block
Crossbowmen #17
Regular MI Xbow imp wp
D10
D4
D6
Un numbered on map
Crossbowmen #18
Regular MI Xbow imp wp
D10
D4
D6
Un numbered on map


COMMANDER
description
LEADERSHIP
RADIUS
Notes
Cardinal Senzanome



NC to Quality Roll; Up 1 Morale and Melee


Set up from behind the right flank of the French Lines.


and from behind the French Center


And from behind the French Left. Note Czar Barry relaxing. as always, Barry's help was invaluable!


Close up from the French Left.

and the Spanish Right.



 French Players:  Noah/Tim, Steve. Bill, and ? Matt

.
Spanish players: Luke, Pat, Roger..

Thwe French players moved forwards quite aggressively, after a few rounds from their guns. 


I do love the sight of advancing Pike blocks!


The French skirmishers shielding the advance of the pike units were shot away by the Spanish Colunellas; no big deal, that's what they're there for!

By the marsh, the opposing light and medium cavalry units draw closer. 


Spanish Arquebuses fire, usually to deadly effect. I made a major error in handling the morale effects of this fire, making the results similar to those from melee, while in actuality a Moral Challenge was required for the targets to have to check morale at all. This seriously compromised the attack of the French/Landsknecht Pike units. 


Push of Pike!

and yet more push!

Crunch time all along the line!

Even with playing it wrong, one Pike unit manages to scale the earthworks and repulse the defending Colunella!


Spanish EHC charge the hated French Heavy guns!

At this point, all but one of the French Pike attacks had been repulsed, and the French conceded. Without my error, it would have come down to a bunch of close melees along the breastworks. My apologies to the players.

I was actually MORE rested than usual for the (miserable) drive down to Fredericksburg (almost exactly 7 hrs - left 9:00 AM, arrived 4:00 PM). I had gotten everything organized the weekend before, and allowed sufficient time so that I wasn't up super late at night, or hyper wondering if I'd get it all done. That meant I wasn't exhausted Wednesday night for a change, but then I never sleep well the first night or two away from home. I knew something wasn't right, but my brain was fried from poor sleep Wednesday evening, and I just couldn't figure out what it was until the next day. Still , the game looked great and seemed fun to play, it just would have been a lot more fun had the battle along the earthworks taken place as it should have!

Note to self - do NOT run more than one game in a day, unless at least one is a replay. I know I've said this to myself before, and then I get carried away! Doubtless I'll do it again...

20 comments:

  1. Peter! That is such a colorful array of troops! Seeing your beautiful arrangement makes me want to see my Italian Wars project out on the gaming table.

    In the heat of battle, quick action an fatigue can introduce errors. Lucky for you, the players were an agreeable and understanding lot.

    Stunning collection!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jon. As much as I love Napoleonic uniforms,it is hard to beat the flamboyant dress and bold heraldic banners of the great Italian Wars for color!

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  2. A great-looking game, and it seems as though everyone enjoyed themselves too much to worry about an oversight. A very pleasant way to spend a Thursday evening.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great stuff Peter, and yes errors creep in with fatigue but provided the players enjoyed themselves that's the most important thing in my book! Well done! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mark. It would have been better if it were a less major error, though!

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  4. Impressive pictures of a great looking game, these armies are splendid...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful looking game Peter! How did the French cavalry on the left fair?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. On that side, they had some losses from skirmish fire, and then both sides largely stared one another down, being rather reluctant to commit to fairly even actions.

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  6. A fantastic game as always. Noah and I had a blast once again. When in doubt, charge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tim. You and Noah were a pleasure to have in the game... as always! A HUGE thanks to both of you as well for helping me pack it all up and move it to the car Thursday night (and then again Friday and Saturday nights, too!). Barry was even more whipped than I was Thursday, and headed out early that night.

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  7. Great battle Peter, looks really spectacular and interesting to see the Spanish won this refight. I often forget rules on the rare occasions when I game, having a laugh and making the game look great are the main thing in my opinion!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree - looks and fun first, rules second. A bit embarrassing when they are YOUR rules, though! :-)
      Anyway, glad that you liked it!

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    2. Yeah, that can be embarrassing but it happens to us all. Besides, we likely have multiple versions of the rules in our heads. Who can remember which version is currently on paper?

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    3. Oddly, a number of game designers (Bob Jones, Jim Getz, and Sam Mustafa together in direct conversation) have remarked that they are probably the WORST person to ask about the fine points of their rules, because of the many drafts and revisions over time; years later, it can be hard to recall which one you finally went with in the print version!

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  8. Nice work here Peter again. Interesting scenario for both sides. I knew little of this historical battle so thank you expanding my knowledge. Pike blocks do look "cool". You went all out for Historicon this year.

    Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. glad you liked it! Ravenna is felt to be one of the pivotal battles in "Early Nodern Warfare", as it marked the first time that Artillery played a decisive role in the outcome of a battle.

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  9. Great looking battle and fun to play spot the manufacturer for all the different types you've got on the table, you've put a game on people are pretty reasonable if you make a mistake or two it all looks lovely.
    Best Iain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Iain! Yes, "spot the Manufacturer" would include Hinchliffe, Essex, Foundry, Redoubt, IOld GFlory, maybe even a few Minifigs and Ral Partha...

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