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Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Battle of Qadesh - preliminary scenario for To the Strongest!

 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.  


View from the opposite end of the table. 


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). 


Player/Army

Commands

Arrival/Activation

Egypt A

Re-Ch, Amun-Inf

Start, 3 (7+)

Egypt B

Re-Inf, Set-Ch, Ptah-Inf

Start, 4 (7+), after Ptah-Ch (7+)

Egypt C

Pharaoh, Ptah-Ch

2, after Set-Inf (7+)

Egypt D

Amun-Ch, Set-Inf

3, after Set-Ch (7+)

Hittite 1

C1, K1

Start, after F4 (9+)

Hittite 2

C2, R2

Start, 3 (7+)

Hittite 3

C3, F3

Start, after Set-Ch (7+)

Hittite 4

C4, F4

Start,  after F3 (7+)



Turn #

Commands Active

Activations/arrivals

Notes

1

Re-Ch, Re-Inf, C1,C2, C3, C4

Ambush - free Hittite replay!


2


Pharoah

7+ to form up, by unit

3


Amun-Ch, Amun-Inf

7+ to form up, by unit

4


Set-Ch

7+ to enter

5




6




7




8




9




10




11




12




13




14





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

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

PC

Ramses Senior Heroic Attached 

Mounted Great Leader

3+

Replay x 2

Best of 2 cards when hit

11

2

PC

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

PC

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

PC

Chariot Runners LI Javelin

7+

2

4

1

PC

Chariot Runners LI Javelin

7+

2

4

1

PC

Shardanna Royal Gd - Auxiliaries

6+


8

2

PC

Shardanna Royal Gd - Auxiliaries

6+


8

2

PC

Camp



1

3

PC

Command Cost, Medals



48

13


Army Totals                                                                                           361        95

VM Break point = 32     Reserve Ammo = 30


Division Amun

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

1D

Att General Chariot Heroic Amun

3+

Replay

6

2

1D

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

1D

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

1D

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

1D

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

1D

Hero


Replay

1


1D

Camp



1

3

1D

Command Cost, Medals



37

9


CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

1A

Att General, Heroic Div Amun

3+

Replay

5

2

1A

Medium Infantry, Shieldwall

7+


7

2

1A

Medium Infantry, Shieldwall

7+


7

2

1A

Medium Infantry, 2 H Mace/Aaxe

7+


8

2

1A

Medium Bowmen, Veteran Nubian

7+

7

8

2

1A

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

1A

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

1A

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

1A

Hero


Replay

1

-

1A

Camp



1

3

1A

Command Cost, Medals



49

16


Division Re

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

2A

Att General Chariot Heroic 

3+

Replay

6

2

2A

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

2A

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

2A

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

2A

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

2A

Light Chariots, Bow, Veteran

7+

4

6

1

2A

Command Cost, Medals



36

7


CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

2B

Attached General, Division Re

2+


4

2

2B

Medium Infantry, Shieldwall

7+


7

2

2B

Medium Infantry, Shieldwall

7+


7

2

2B

Medium Bowmen

8+

6

7

2

2B

Medium Bowmen

8+

6

7

2

2B

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

2B

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

2B

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

2B

Hero


replay

1


2B

Command Cost, Medals



45

13


Division Set (Nearin)

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

3B

Att General Chariot, Heroic  

3+


6

2

3B

Light Chariots, Bow

8+

3

5

1

3B

Light Chariots, Bow

8+

3

5

1

3B

Light Chariots, Bow

8+

3

5

1

3B

Light Chariots, Bow

8+

3

5

1

3B

Hero



1


3B

Command Cost, Medals



27

6


CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

3D

Attached General

2+


4

2

3D

Medium Infantry, Shieldwall

7+


7

2

3D

Medium Infantry, Shieldwall

7+


7

2

3D

Medium Bowmen

8+

6

7

2

3D

Medium Bowmen

8+

6

7

2

3D

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

3D

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

3D

Hero


Replay

1


3D

Command Cost, Medals



41

12




Dvision Ptah

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

4C

Att General Chariot, Heroic  Ptah

3+


6

2

4C

Light Chariots, Bow

8+

3

5

1

4C

Light Chariots, Bow

8+

3

5

1

4C

Light Chariots, Bow

8+

3

5

1

4C

Light Chariots, Bow

8+

3

5

1

4C

Hero




1

4C

Command Cost, Medals



27

6


CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

4B

Att General, Heroic, Division Ptah

3+

Replay

5

2

4B

Medium Infantry, Shieldwall

7+


7

2

4B

Medium Infantry, 2H mace/Axe

7+


8

2

4B

Medium Bowmen, Veteran Nubian

7+

7

8

2

4B

Medium Bowmen, Veteran Nubian

7+

7

8

2

4B

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

4B

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

4B

Light Infantry - Bow/Sling

8+

3

4

1

4B

Hero


Replay

1

-

4B

Command Cost, Medals



49

13




Hittite Empire


King Mutawalli II and Royal Bodyguard

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

K1

Heroic Mounted  detached Senior  Leader

3+


8

2

K1

Royal Guard - Spearmen, Veteran

6+


9

2

K1

Royal Guard - Spearmen, Veteran

6+


9

2

K1

Royal Guard - Spearmen, Veteran

6+


9

2

K1

LI Slingers

8+

3

4

1

K1

LI Slingers

8+

3

4

1

K1

LI Slingers

8+

3

4

1

K1

Hero


Replay

1


K1

Hero


Replay

1


K1

Army standard


Replay

2

2

K1

Command Cost, Medals



51

13

Army Total:                                                                                            361       85

VM break point = 29 Reserve Ammo = 11



Chariot Reserve

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

R2

Att General Chariot, Heroic  

3+

Replay

6

2

R2

Light Chariots, Javelin, Extra Bow

7+

3

6

1

R2

Light Chariots, Javelin, Extra Bow

7+

3

6

1

R2

Chariot Runners - LI, Javelin

7+


4

1

R2

Charuit Runners - LI, Javelin

7+


4

1

R2

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

R2

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

R2

Hero


Replay

1


R2

Hero


Replay

1


R2

Command Cost, Medals



46

10



Chariot Division Arma

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

C1

Att General Chariot Heroic 

3+

Replay

6

2

C1

Chariots, Lance, Veteran

6+


11

2

C1

Chariots, Lance, Veteran

6+


11

2

C1

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

C1

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

C1

Hero


Replay

1


C1

Command Cost, Medals



47

10



Chariot Division Enlil

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

C2

Att General Chariot Heroic 

3+

Replay

6

2

C2

Chariots, Lance, Veteran

6+


11

2

C2

Chariots, Lance, Veteran

6+


11

2

C2

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

C2

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

C2

Hero


Replay

1


C2

Command Cost, Medals



47

10



Chariot Division Kumarbi

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

C3

Att General Chariot Heroic 

3+

Replay

6

2

C3

Chariots, Lance, Veteran

6+


11

2

C3

Chariots, Lance, Veteran

6+


11

2

C3

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

C3

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

C3

Hero


Replay

1


C3

Command Cost, Medals



47

10



Chariot Division Tarhunna

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

C4

Att General Chariot Heroic 

3+

Replay

6

2

C4

Chariots, Lance, Veteran

6+


11

2

C4

Chariots, Lance, Veteran

6+


11

2

C4

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

C4

Chariots, Lance

7+


9

2

C4

Hero


Replay

1


C4

Command Cost, Medals



47

10



Infantry Division #1

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

F3

General, Heroic

3+

Replay

5

2

F3

Spearmen

7+


7

2

F3

Spearmen

7+


7

2

F3

2 Handed Axemen

7+


8

2

F3

2 Handed Axemen

7+


8

2

F3

Light Javelinmen

7+

2

4

1

F3

Hero


Replay

1


F3

Command Cost, Medals



40

11



Infantry Division #2

CMD

Description

Save

Spec/Ammo

Pts

VMs

F4

General, Heroic

3+

Replay

5

2

F4

Spearmen

7+


7

2

F4

Spearmen

7+


7

2

F4

Bowmen

8+

6

6

2

F4

Bowmen

8+

6

6

2

F4

Skirmish archers

8+

3

4

1

F4

Hero


Replay

1


F4

Command Cost, Medals



36

11




Online References:

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



26 comments:

  1. 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:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TTS! is a great set of rules, and even more so than convention games.

      Delete
    2. With 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.

      Delete
    3. Of course, I fully agree! :-)

      Delete
  2. Certainly 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I've been working towards this for some time! :-)
      The tricky things are the timing of the various formations, and ensuring that all players remain engaged.

      Delete
  3. Look forward to hearing how this goes and how new stuff 'performs'. I find newly painted stuff always does pants in first outing :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most of the Egyptians have seen action several times in the past. None of the Hittites have, though! :-)

      Delete
  4. I'm looking forward to this one Peter. I'll convince my Saturday gaming group to play TtS one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have 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.

      Delete
    2. Lawrence, could you give remote gaming a try for an intro to TtS!??

      Delete
    3. TTS is really well suited to remote gaming due to the grid and straightforward rules; Brilliant idea, Jon!

      Delete
    4. I 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.

      Delete
    5. With 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.

      Delete
    6. Yes, 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).

      Delete
    7. Sounds good!
      Re: 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?! :-)

      Delete
    8. Hopefully both, but primarily the latter!

      Delete
  5. Oh, this is so impressive, Peter! Perhaps you need a remote playtest too???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You 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!

      Delete
  6. Great looking set up, I look forward to the playtest!
    Best Iain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too; I am fully prepared to find the scenario may need maior revisions!

      Delete
  7. Looking very good! I wish I had more chariots. :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think my total chariot count is up to about 60 now!

      Delete
  8. How 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.
    Regards, James

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, James. The Playtest went well, and as expected, helped clarify (and simplify) a number of things. Report coming shortly!

      Delete