The Battle of Kadesh (or Qadesh) is said to be both the oldest battle for which we have detailed information about the deployment and tactics, as well as perhaps the largest Chariot battle in history. It was certainly a most unusual battle! Four of us will be doing a play test of the scenario I've developed for the game, which I plan to run at Historicon this November.
Overview of the table in the center is the arriving Division Re, which is about to be set upon by a devastating ambush lunched by the massed Chariotry of the Hittites. Off in the distance are the camps of the Pharaoh and of Division Amun.
Scenario Special Rules:
1) The Hittites move first, and may move all of their 4 Chariot Divisions, ambushing Egyptian Division Re. There is no penalty for their movement out of cover and across the stream. Additionally, each Division gets one free activation replay (each General may be used to replay once as usual in addition) to reflect the surprise of the ambush.
2) The Pharaoh's command starts dispersed in Camp. may start to bring its units into Battle Order starting on Turn 2. Each unit tests once (Ramses, as a Great Leader may replay up to 2 such attempts per turn). On turn 2 each unit needs 7+ to succeed, and each subsequent turn the number needed decreases by 1. Upon adopting Battle Order, the units may adapt any facing of their choosing, but the command may not act otherwise until the turn AFTER all units have shaken out into Battle Order. Any dispersed units shot at or charged will count as being hit from the Rear for combat purposes.
3) The 2 Commands of Division Amun also start dispersed, and may start attempting to bring its units into Battle Order on Turn 3, following the same procedure as #2 above. However, should any units of Division Re come adjacent to any unit of Division Amun, any remaining dispersed units will automatically form up into Battle Order without testing, although they may not otherwise act until their following turn.
4) The Chariot command of Division Set may test to enter along the road starting ion Turn 4; a single card is played, with a 7+ needed to enter and no replay. Each subsequent turn the number needed to enter decreases by 2.
5) The Infantry command of Division Set may start testing to enter after the Chariot Division has moved completely onto the table, using the same process, and starting with whatever Pip value, the Chariots needed to play to enter.
6) in the same fashion, the Chariot command of Division Ptah starts testing to enter along the road once the infantry command of Division Set has fully entered the table, starting with a pip requirement of 7 to enter.
7) The infantry command of Division Ptah starts testing for entry along the road the turn after the Chariots of their Division have fully entered the table, in the same fashion as per Division Set.
8) The Hittite Chariot Reserve may enter along the road into Kadesh starting on Turn 3, needing a pip count of 7 to enter, and decreasing by 2 each subsequent turn if they are unsuccessful. They may ignore the troops of the Royal Guard for movement and interpenetration purposes
9) The first Hittite Infantry command starts testing to enter the turn after the Chariots of Division Set have fully entered the tabletop, needing a 7 to enter and decreasing by 2 as above.
10) The second Hittite Infantry Command starts testing the turn after the first infantry Command has fully entered the table, needing a 7+ to enter, and being adjusted as above for each subsequent turn they fail to enter.
11) The Hittite Royal Guard may start testing to exit from Kadesh the turn after the Chariots of Division Set have entered the table, needing a pip count of 9 to do so, decreasing by one for each subsequent turn.
12) Egyptian Camps: Any Hittite units within 4 boxes of an Egyptian Camp MUST move towards it, fighting any units in its way. Upon entering a Camp box, the usual 3 Victory medals are lost, but the unit(s) so entering become dispersed looting, and need an activation with a pip card of 7+ to restore them to Battle Order. Such units are then immune to any further special effects of the Camps. The effects of dispersal are the same as under #2 above. There is no limit to how many Hittite units may be dispersed within the camp(s).
Ambush!
Pharaoh Ramses II, and his bodyguard (left), and Division Amun (right). The "weed" markers indicate the units in question are still dispersed.
Much needed reinforcements of Division Set, waiting their turn to enter the action.
Still more reinforcements, this time of Division Ptah. Historically, by the time these troops made it to the battlefield, the fighting was over.
The Hittite Chariot Reserve, awaiting its chance to enter via the bridge over the river Orontes at Kadesh.
King Muwatalli II and his Bodyguard, comfortably housed in the city of Kadesh.
Hittite Infantry commands 1 and 2, awaiting their chance to enter the action.
Historically, these troops never made it to combat either, although exactly why that is is unclear.
EGYPT
Pharaoh's Guard
Army Totals 361 95
VM Break point = 32 Reserve Ammo = 30
Division Amun
Division Re
Division Set (Nearin)
Dvision Ptah
Hittite Empire
King Mutawalli II and Royal Bodyguard
Army Total: 361 85
VM break point = 29 Reserve Ammo = 11
Chariot Reserve
Chariot Division Arma
Chariot Division Enlil
Chariot Division Kumarbi
Chariot Division Tarhunna
Infantry Division #1
Infantry Division #2
http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub364/entry-6100.html
https://www.commandsandcolors.net/ancients/maps/38-new-kingdom-egyptian-dynasties-1570-1070-bc/291-dc11-kadesh-1275-bc.html
https://boardgamegeek.com/image/331674/day-chariot-kadesh
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1788209/battle-qadesh-after-action-report
http://shaun-wargaming-minis.blogspot.com/2012/07/battle-of-kadesh-1275bc-using-ancient.html
Probably the best
http://www.gmtgames.com/living_rules/Chariots-of-Fire-scenarios-final-lowres.pdf
https://3vwargames.blogspot.com/2011/12/kadesh-game-from-1997.html
https://www.amazon.com/Qadesh-1300-BC-Military-Campaign/dp/1855323001
That's a lovely looking table and plenty of useful info in advance of the game. It's a while since I played TtS but this tempts me to dig the rules out again:)
ReplyDeleteTTS! is a great set of rules, and even more so than convention games.
DeleteWith a good umpire having command of the rules, TtS! is perfect for a large game, convention or otherwise. It can play very fast and resolution is a snap.
DeleteOf course, I fully agree! :-)
DeleteCertainly looks different from 'line them up and go' ancients games! Must feel good to get all those troops out that you have been cranking away at.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been working towards this for some time! :-)
DeleteThe tricky things are the timing of the various formations, and ensuring that all players remain engaged.
Look forward to hearing how this goes and how new stuff 'performs'. I find newly painted stuff always does pants in first outing :-)
ReplyDeleteMost of the Egyptians have seen action several times in the past. None of the Hittites have, though! :-)
DeleteI'm looking forward to this one Peter. I'll convince my Saturday gaming group to play TtS one day.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried a small game of TTS solo, Lawrence? Due to the nature of the rules, it plays very well solo, and one such game makes the core mechanics of the system pretty clear in your mind.
DeleteLawrence, could you give remote gaming a try for an intro to TtS!??
DeleteTTS is really well suited to remote gaming due to the grid and straightforward rules; Brilliant idea, Jon!
DeleteI probably should set one up here, at least in a limited capacity. I have a substantial hobby area for painting and storage, but am lacking a proper gaming room. One of the spare bedrooms would be ideal, but the larger of the two has already been converted into a nursery and the other is for guests. I really just need one more of the children to move out.
DeleteWith your 15 mm figures, you could us a grid as small as 80 mm, and 100 mm would be ideal for units 80 mm wide, use 150 mm grid for units 120 mm wide. A grid 12 boxes wide by 8 deep is fine for a 100 point game (about 12 units a side). That should fit on a kitchen or dining room table.
DeleteYes, that's what I'll do. I might even have a go in a few weekends' time when the rest of the family have headed off to our newly-acquired holiday place up the Coast (which may turn out to be the best investment I've ever made).
DeleteSounds good!
DeleteRe: the vacation place: a good investment for its own sake and your use, or because a lot of the rest of the family will be there when you're still home?! :-)
Hopefully both, but primarily the latter!
Deletehah! :-)
DeleteOh, this is so impressive, Peter! Perhaps you need a remote playtest too???
ReplyDeleteYou know, that isn't a bad idea at all; I'd definitely need to make sure my set up is up to snuff. I am trying to avoid replacing my aging laptop, as it appears a new OS will be coming out within the year. We will keep that in mind!
DeleteGreat looking set up, I look forward to the playtest!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Me too; I am fully prepared to find the scenario may need maior revisions!
DeleteLooking very good! I wish I had more chariots. :-(
ReplyDeleteI think my total chariot count is up to about 60 now!
DeleteHow wonderful to see these units that you have been churning out steadily getting their time in the (Levantine) sun. The table looks excellent, as yours always do. All the best for the playtest of the scenario.
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
Thanks, James. The Playtest went well, and as expected, helped clarify (and simplify) a number of things. Report coming shortly!
Delete