Finals, Game 2
Scenario:   VIK09 Farnham 892

gonzo (Saxons) 6 banners won, 2 blocks lost
mk20336 (Vikings) 4 banner won, 23 blocks lost

What a crazy game it was! Playing as Vikings I decided on exit strategy - each of my troops could escape from baseline for 1 VP. Having three center cards plus and Move-Fire-Move plan started to work. I was hit by the mounted charge and couple of other great cards played by Joe and the race against time. I lost leader but did not give up and was maneuvering in center and right just to exit. The game and the result of this confrontation was decided in last roll where Joe rolled 4 hits against my lonely Aux which was about to exit.

When you look at results you see that we are even at VPs by Joe wins on small points (blocks as tie breaker). Congrats - what a tense, close and exciting two games it was!

And thanks to Mark for - as always - great organization of this MT!

Mark-McG wrote:

mk20336 wrote:

Finals, Game 1
Scenario:  VIK09 Farnham 892

I admit - the scenario, map and forces set-up - and also special rule where to flee with Vikings - makes you dizzy. I think I made a mistake at least twice when playing the card due to this


 

designing this, after 8 scenarios with pretty much 2 lines of foot opposing each other,it seemed to me time to have something different that would shake the situation up a little. A rare instance of cavalry on a Saxon battlefield being used to intercept the raiders seemed a good chance. Scenarios should have a uniqueness to them.

Also mindful of having the Vikings retreat towards their exit point, which seems like a common problem with Exit scenarios. Having the Vikings flee off the Saxon edge means they have to work for it, and let's the pursuing Saxons catch up from flag results.

Hi Mark,
I think this is completely ok and a good refreshment from the other scenarios. It just took me some time to adjust to this

mk20336 wrote:

Finals, Game 1
Scenario:  VIK09 Farnham 892

I admit - the scenario, map and forces set-up - and also special rule where to flee with Vikings - makes you dizzy. I think I made a mistake at least twice when playing the card due to this

 

designing this, after 8 scenarios with pretty much 2 lines of foot opposing each other,it seemed to me time to have something different that would shake the situation up a little. A rare instance of cavalry on a Saxon battlefield being used to intercept the raiders seemed a good chance. Scenarios should have a uniqueness to them.

Also mindful of having the Vikings retreat towards their exit point, which seems like a common problem with Exit scenarios. Having the Vikings flee off the Saxon edge means they have to work for it, and let's the pursuing Saxons catch up from flag results.

Finals, Game 1
Scenario:  VIK09 Farnham 892

mk20336 (Saxons) 6 banners won, 19 blocks lost
gonzo (Vikings) 4 banner won, 26 blocks lost

I admit - the scenario, map and forces set-up - and also special rule where to flee with Vikings - makes you dizzy. I think I made a mistake at least twice when playing the card due to this

In our case my cavalry quickly attacked but had to dismount - I was then more cautious not to end turn next to opponent. In the center my Auxilia started to approach but was quickly checked by furious counter-charge of Vikings, Fortunately, one cavalry came with aid, which helped to tip off the result in Saxons balance. Most of the game we played with zero inspired tokens as they were critically needed during the battle.

Thanks to Joe for this enjoyable game. We shall play second game in couple of weeks due to some of my obligations.

Finally found time to get our Semi-Final matches played

Semi Final 1
Mark McG (Saxons) - 3 banners won, 28 blocks lost
gonzo (Vikings) - 7 banners won, 15 blocks lost

Saxon line approached and there was an exchange of missile fire. Saxons looking for a chance to use Fire & Close. Significant turning point was a Viking Rally which not only restored all the damage done, but generated an extra leader. From there a stream of Leadership cards saw the Vikings make numerous Foot Onslaughts with their warriors and leaders, killing Alfred on a double Leader check.
   

Semi Final 2
gonzo (Saxons) - 4 banners won, 28 blocks lost
Mark McG (Vikings) - 7 banners won, 24 blocks lost

Vikings started with 2 First Strike cards, so had to manoeuvre close with just 3 Command Cards. Managed it with few losses, and for a moment, the lines stood face to face, neither daring to attack. The Saxons had a Clash of Shields, and the cycle of violence started. Alfred's Heavy Infantry bodyguard were particularly useless, failing to score a hit, despite advancing into the Viking lines. Vikings retaliated to destroy them, Alfred got away, only to return with Medium infantry. This time Alfred was not so lucky, the Vikings closed around him and he fell with his men, the 7th banner.
 

congrats to Joe of a tight win 11-10

Semi-Finals, Game 2
Scenario:   VIK06 Edington/Ethandun 878

mk20336 (Saxons) 3 banners won, 7 blocks lost
RiverWanderer (Vikings) 1 banner won, 15 blocks lost

The result might be strange but Mark decided to concede at this moment in game. I am not surprised - Saxons with Rally managed to bring leader, played two times First Strike during critical moment and finally rallied all units in front in last play (5 blocks in one rally!). That was fun playing with Mark and we all wait for more fantastic Vassal modules from him!

Semi-Finals, Game 1
Scenario:  VIK06 Edington/Ethandun 878

mk20336 (Vikings) 7 banners won, 27 blocks lost
RiverWanderer (Saxons) 5 banners won, 28 blocks lost

Very close and tense game; two lines of troops, no terrain, pretty straightforward fight. Still, after some maneuvering, the action started in center / Viking right. Multiple Foot Onslaughts (via Cards, Inspired Actions, Mounted Charge special rule or Counter-Attack) resulted in pretty high attrition of both armies. It was already 5-1 for Saxons when Vikings started to catch up. First with Double Time to 5-4 for Saxons, and then bold attack to reach 6-5 for Vikings. 

In the end, the mutual attempts by both sides to finish the game resulted in Vikings final victory .

Thanks to Mark for flexibility in organizing the game as well as very enjoyable time playing CCM.

 
 

Semi Finalists are now posted.
Bit tricky actually, but time to move ahead.

Round #2

Tomek (Saxons) - 3 banners won, 23 blocks lost

Gonzo (Vikings) - 5 banners won, 18 blocks lost

Game starts with Saxon right moving quickly forward, but not as fast as the Vikings deployed to right middle. Viking right moves forward with 2W 2MI a HI with one leader. Other leader stays back with a W and the Aux on and around hills. Keep trying to refuse their left flank. Saxon range fire effective and follow up Saxon assault on Viking right kills a MI and W. Down 2-0 and worse in blocks. However, a Viking First Strike had damaged Alfred's MI and Foot onslot put berseker (W with Foot onslot and Battle bonus) killing Alfred's MI then another Aux by cutting him off. That flank turned into a Saxon nightmare, although Alfred able to run off field.
Viking cards were great, and a couple of critical rolls went their way. Glad finally got to play the game with Tomek, always a class opponent.

Round 6 - VIK08 Rochester 885

mk20336 (Saxons) 6 banners won, 18 blocks lost
Kandras78 (Vikings) 3 banners won, 27 blocks lost

Tense game with some crazy rolls (3 green on 3d in range combat against Light Unit). While outnumbered locally, Saxons managed to bring their reinforcements gradually and with precise and accurate range combat inflict enough loses to halt the Viking advance. Then the left Saxon wing attacked (successfully) while right was just holding enemy back. 6 cards was a really important factor, allowing for much more flexibility.

Thanks to Andras for playing against the odds!

 

Round 2

Togan Alper  (Saxons ) =5 banners won: 23 blocks lost
Kandras (Vikings ) = 4 banners won: 21 blocks lost

The SAxons pulled up a great return  and a  boars snout to make it 5:4 from 1:4

the logfile tells it all
 

 

RD 4 MARTIN 871

John of York / Saxons - 6 Banners - 26 blocks lost

Kandras78 / Vikings - 5 Banners - 28 blocks lost


After some ranged fire, the battle started on the Saxon right / Viking left. I made the first kill on an Auxilia infantry there. I had no Leadership cards in hand (and would never draw one) so held onto LINE COMMAND as I felt it may right a bad situation.

Sure enough, a REDEPLOY allows four Viking units (3 Warriors and a Medium infantry with leader) to close with my right and center. I uncork my LINE COMMAND which orders all my units, and my close combats kill off two Warriors along with a medium infantry with only 1 unit lost to battle back. I lead 4 to 1.

But a FOOT ONSLAUGHT rights thing in a hurry as three of my weakened infantries are swept off the battlefield. But my center bags another Warrior for a 5 to 4 lead.

The last act of the battle is played out on my right when my LB are forced to evade into the swamp and lose a block there. They get a hit on the Warrior infantry to reduce it to 2 blocks. My MI then attacks lead by Aetherid with 4d but only gets a hit - oh no! The BB gets 3 hits. The Viking 1 block Warriors wipe out my 1 block MI to tie the game at 5. My last chance is with my LB, with 1d from the swamp and perhaps 2d more from the center if my first attack fails. But my swamp archers end it with tier 1 shot attack. They are the heroes of the battle while two of my leaders evaded from the battle.

My ranged fire and the LINE COMMAND battle dice saved the day for me.

Well played by my opponent on a very near run thing.

MT 4 Round 5

Kandras78 Vikings 2 Banners 27 Blocks lost

Greg O Saxons   6 banners 12 blocks lost

The Saxos order their troops "Forward" and pounced on the Viking Aux in the center to draw first blood. The Vikings backed off and consolidated while the Saxons tightened their lines and moved towards the Vikings.  The Viking attempted to gain the initiative with a Boar's Snout, but their Heavies missed on all 5 dice and took two hits from a Saxons Aux in return.  The Vikings took down Odda's warriors but took losses in return.  The Saxons hit back and the Viking again kept the pressure up with a foot onslaught.to even the battle; however the Vikings were left with three units at Str 2 and a Saxon line command followed by a Foot onslaught ended the battle.

It was an epic and bloody battle with many turns and heroic deeds. Halfdan slayed early on, and Æthelred followed soon. Then Æthelwulf fell near the gates but Alfred with a handful of men remaining broke through the Danish lines.

Saxon(Tomek) 8 vs Viking(Andras) 7
29 block + 2LDRs lost vs 32 block + 1 LDR

Round 1  VIK02 Reading 871
Tomek (Saxons) - 8
Kandras78 (Vikings) - 7
Great battle ensued between the rivers. It was bloody and swingy and three mighty kings fell. The Saxons won the day despite the bitter loses.   

 

Round 3 Basing
Gottoman Saxons 4 banners, 23 blocks lost
Steve T Vikings 5 banners, 17 blocks lost
Both sides gradually formed lines, with Vikings especially concentrating troops in the centre and occupying the ridge. A wedge of Saxon auxila moved towards them, hurling spears but to little effect, and in the resulting melee the Vikings came off best (1-3), with Aethelred retreating to his left flank where that part of the Saxon army were unable to play a part in the battle. The Vikings advanced on their left/centre towards the weaker Saxons lined along their camp. A tough melee resulted, at the end of the last Saxon turn score was 4-3, but with the Saxons now weakened the Viking turn scored two banners and a close victory 4-5. Thanks to Greg for a tough, well fought game. My Vikings had some great cards with several foot onslaughts/boar snouts!

MT04 round 7 - Englefield
Mike Stanley – Vikings – 4 banners – win
Tomek – Saxons – 3 banners - loss
The Vikings won, 4-3, in a rough and tumble battle.  After getting a MI and Aux across the river on my left, I used a Double Time to advance to weaken a Saxon LB and Aux, but he Counterattacked the Double Time and it eventually cost me my MI, although I did get his Aux.  Luckily my leader survived. But then he used a (Mounted Charge) Boar’s Snout to surround and kill my Aux.
Then, a Foot Assault on my right allowed me to do some damage, but he counterattacked that and killed one of my Warriors.  However, the Saxon Aux that advanced ran into an Ambush that rolled 4 hits.  The score stood 3-2 in the Saxon’s favor, but I had drawn a second Foot Onslaught and was able to destroy a 1-block LB and a 1-block MI for the final two banners and the win – my first in this tournament.
This could have gone either way, and I must credit my cards and my dice rolls.  Thanks, Tomek, for a good and tense match.
 

Round 4 VIK05 Marron 871
EZPickins (Vikings) 6 banners 28 blocks lost
toganalper (Saxons) 5 banners 25 blocks lost

The Saxons started it all with a Line Command followed by a Foot Assault to draw first flood. First Strike was played but didn't blunt the attack. The Vikings came back with a Foot Assault of their own and were met with another First Strike which again did little damage.  Another Line Command brought more Saxons into the fight but they were met by Boar's Snout which broke up the attack. The Vikings then exploited a gap in the Saxon line to kill Alfred who was all alone. A few turns of minor combat on the Viking right with little damage and then the Saxons came back with another Foot Onslaught. The Vikings responded with medium troops and after it all they were tied for which secured the win. The Vikings won this because Togan missed several rolls to kill one strength point units. Really fun, tense game.






 

Round 5  VIK07 Cynwit 878
Tomek (Saxons) 6
Mark McG (Vikings) 1

That was a Saxon day all the way. After noticing some hasty movements in the enemy camp - Danes trying to form a shield wall (Foot onlslaught), Odda seized the initiative and rushed forward (Counter attack) with his guard and part of the fyrd. What ensued was a swift and brutal clash. Miraculously the Saxons managed to overcome their enemies with minimal loses. Ubba survived but the Raven banner has been trampled in the dust. 

 

Tomek (Saxons) 5 banners, 19 blocks lost
gonzo (Vikings) 4 banners, 30 blocks lost
My first game with the Vikings rules was long, intense, interesting and swingy. Altogether a great experience. Alfred was crushed by the vicious Bagsecs and barely managed to fled the battlefield while on the other half of the battlefield it was almost flawless Saxon victory. Aethelred personally led the charge several times. Glorious day for the Saxons. As Mark commented - few section cards on my side while a whole bunch of Tactics - Double time, Foot onslaught, cry havoc, etc.

    Round 2 VIK03 Ashdown 871

Round 2  VIK03 Ashdown 871
GregO (Saxons) 4 banners, 28 blocks lost
Mark McG (Vikings) 5 banners, 16 blocks lost

Something about Medieval, but I seem to get far more Name cards than section cards in Medieval. This game was no exception, and I had a good selection of cards.
Vikings had a lot of mobility, with a Double Time, two Foot Onslaught and 2 Leader any Section which could also be foot onslaughts. 

The Saxons moved up slightly, onto the ridgeway, and from there it was pretty much full on. The Vikings moved from the Right up over the ridgeway to beat back Aethelred's flank, then when Alfred came up, they pushed harder, losing Bacsecg. Saxons pushed hard up the ridgeway, looking for a win, and fell just short. Vikings had a Clash of Shields that looked like a slam dunk, but after Halfdan took one banner and advanced, and Ambush killed his Heavy unit is reply, and for a heart stopping moment it looked like a leader loss might snatch defeat from victory, but the dice smiled and I managed to grab the final banner.

Gripping match
 

 

Round 5  VIK07 Cynwit 878

Saxon Player (mk20336) - 6 banners won, 6 blocks lost
Viking Player (scipio1zama) - 1 banner won, 21 blocks lost

What a bloody and unforgiving scenario for Vikings. I had all cards I needed - Command Center, Order Medium, Inspire Any Section. It seems I never lacked moves and with average rolls (or sometimes even good ones) that was a devastating mix for invaders. Thanks to Mike for playing the game - despite the odds!

 

Round 4  VIK05 Marton 871

Saxon Player (mk20336) - 6 banners won, 23 blocks lost
Viking Player (Stephent) - 3 banners won, 27 blocks lost

A pretty close game till the moment I decided on Foot Onslaught which killed full strength warrior with 4 dice and a leader. Till that moment it was balanced, then the spiral of of quickly gained points started culminating in Saxon victory. Thanks Stephent for the game!

Round 2 Ashdown
Saxons (John of York): 2 banners with 18 blocks lost (+1 ldr lost)
Vikings (SteveT): 5 banners with 10 blocks lost
Bagsceg moved part of his host to the right and advanced with the right flank of his army towards the Saxon left. They were surprised by Aethelred, who with his housecarls had swiftly moved across the hills from his right, and charged into the exposed inner flank of the advancing Vikings. But Bagsceg slew Aethelred in single combat, and the housecarls, though they fought on without their leader, with Odin's help were defeated. Bagsceg gathered his host and charged forwards against Alfred's troops, gaining the victory.
Thanks to John for a good game - he played well but luck was not with him: Aethelred fell to a double helmet leader check at the initial clash and the dice throughout were very much against him!

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