OT2020 Round 4

Here is the Log file for the previous post.

Round 4 Game 2
Mark McG (French) - 6 banners
Mike (Spanish) - 1 banner

The most remarkable thing about this match was how little the French moved. First 2 Command cards were nerfed by the GM, and the Spanish artillery fired off. French centre retreated where it could. The Left flank artillery and cavalry moved up.
The critical moment was a French Elan card, actually trying to move the French infantry, but the roll was 2 ART, 2 XSX and a FLG, so the opportunity was taken to send the cavalry up to give the Spanish artillery a scare. 9 die Combined Arms attack took the first, and 5d Bonus took another. French cavalry was now stuck on the hill without a card to move, and for most of the game all my section cards were Probes and 1 Scout on the Left or Right. No Centre cards at all after the first 2 (nerfed) turns. Fortunately the Spanish didn't know this, and reacted with a misjudged sense of confidence to Bayonet charge the French cavalry, cutting it's retreat path, but on a hill, and within range of the French infantry. Spanish attacks are disappointing affairs, and the French cavalry lost 3 blocks whilst dealing out 6 hits. The French Hold & Fire card then took down 2 Spanish infantry, and the Spanish centre had evaporated.

Eventually the French cavalry succumbed to musket fire, but a Probe Left from the French managed to get a 3rd depleted Spanish infantry. It was then left to Laval to make a dangerous Grande march into the Spanish rear, withstand a Spanish cavalry attack and then polish off a 4th Spanish infantry for the win.
The French Light Cavalry was the unit of the match in my view, eliminating 2 ART and reducing 3 Line, and bringing the Spanish into range. Hail to their memory.

Game 1

soul1st (French) 3 banners

jaboskov (Allies) 6 banners

The French attacked on their left but ran into the Spanish defensive wall. After the failure on the left the French launched a bajonet charge in the center but the Spanish position with three guns on hills proved to strong.

Game 2

jaboskov (French) 5 banners

soul1st (Allies) 6 banners

jaboskov carefully avoided the pitfalls of the French in the first game and manoeuvred the French troops to their left and right. The French attack crept forward. Only in the last instant they lost their patience and allowed the Spanish troops to secure a small victory.

Game 1

FoxK (French) 3 banners

gotigerssc (Allies) 6 banners

French assaulted the Spanish center and left but were not able to do significant damage. Spanish also used the guerrilla token effectively on the left to prevent any further advance before pressing the attack. Unfortunately for the French they did not have the cards to advance on the Spanish right, but when they did they smashed it. It just came too late as the French played a Grand Manoeuvre to get in the face of two depleted French units close to the baseline to finish things out on the next turn.

g1ul10 (French): 6 banners
Rand (Spanish): 3 banners

The French maneuver away from the central Spanish battery. Supported by the cuirassier and their own artillery, they attack on the left but the Spanish retreat in (almost) good order and limit their losses. After more than two hours of playing, I finally draw a forced march and I can attack the right flank. With a bit of luck, I eliminate one Spanish infantry and a leader with double sabers, for the victory. The only bayonet charge cards I've seen the whole game were played by Rand. And I duly received my cavalry charge card when I had no more cavalry.

I understood that it wasn't going to be easy when in one of the first attacks of the game I rolled a six dice CA on a two blocks artillery and I scored zero hits. My cav was massacred the next turn. In the end, it was a LOOONG game, with several turns in which we both discarded useless cards. I suspect this is the gist of this scenario but I can't say I like it. Anyway, I very much enjoyed playing with Rand. He played very well exploiting the strength of his initial position.

I forgot to start a log but I believe Rand can post it.

Logfile for G1ul10 vs. Rand R4G1.

Thanks to G1ul10 for a great game, taught me a thing or two.

Game 1
RiverWanderer (French) # 6
Scipio (Allies) # 5

Spanish started out as they meant to go on; pounding the exposed French line from what must be one of the strongest opening artillery positions in the game. French scattered to the flanks as best they could and made a successful counter-thrust on their left, aided by "Break the Square". Still, Spanish cavalry attacked back on both flanks and from then on, at various points, both sides had infantry in square.

Mid-game saw the Spanish ahead and the French left flank pushed back but opportunity knocked for the French right. The Spanish had finished off a French square using cavalry and this gave the Cuirassiers a chance to attack. With a powerful cavalry unit dominating the flank, the French now had an edge whilst, on the left, the Spanish had been worn down enough to force a withdrawal. Spanish infantry attempted to stem the French advance and seize victory before the French could catch up but dice were against them and the attack ended up yielding two banners in short order.

The French were briefly ahead at 5:4 but the Spanish guns soon snagged another worn-out unit from the centre. Now both sides had the challenge of finding that extra banner; the French made the running with a Grand Manoeuvre to boost pursuit on the flanks. A depleted Spanish Light infantry scuttled for the safety of the hill, shielded by a full-strength Line Infantry which then went into square against the French Cuiraissiers. Spanish artillery attempted to keep the follow-up French infantry at bay but a timely Rally allowed the French attack to go ahead in full force, sealing their narrow win.

Thanks to Stephen (Scipio) for the game. Game 2 to be scheduled shortly.

Game 1 FoxK (French) - gotigerssc(Spain) 3:6
Game 2 FoxK (Spain) - gotigerssc (French) 6:4 

Game 1

gottoman (French) 5 banners

Gonzo (Allies) 6 banners

Game played almost entirely on French left. Spanish art able to kill some French LN in center who bravely took hits throughout game. French advance on Left led to a Spanish bayonet charge to rear and center. French Cav able to sq Spanish LN, Breck Square with 3 flags rolled, only to Have Spanish Hold the Line. Eventually French art and inf finished off several LN and Spanish Cav on Spanish left which foolishly Cav charged to its death. French up 5-3 and used a Grand Mauever to encircle Spanish LC and leader against back row. The LC CA'd and killed French LN to escape. French CU and FA CA response battlefield smoked in response. Another Spanish CA with 4 pt LN and FA with 1 pt LC blocking rr killed the French CU and the leader trying to evade for the improbable win.

Game 2

Gonzo (French) 6 banners

gottoman (Allies) 2 banners

Again battle mostly on French left. Spanish Art punish French in middle who fall back with several crippled, but not killed. French Cav and inf advance on left, but French cav lost in charge against battlefield smoke and retalliatory Spanish LC charge. French inf range fire cause Spanish LN losses, then bayonet charge route that flank. Turning to middle, French CU attack and kill LC, but are surrounded by Spanish bayonet charge and die. French leader miraculouly evades through5 total dice. French inf then close for kill. Thanks to Greg for fun games.

Game 1

gottoman (French) 5 banners

Gonzo (Allies) 6 banners

Game played almost entirely on French left. Spanish art able to kill some French LN in center who bravely took hits throughout game. French advance on Left led to a Spanish bayonet charge to rear and center. French Cav able to sq Spanish LN, Breck Square with 3 flags rolled, only to Have Spanish Hold the Line. Eventually French art and inf finished off several LN and Spanish Cav on Spanish left which foolishly Cav charged to its death. French up 5-3 and used a Grand Mauever to encircle Spanish LC and leader against back row. The LC CA'd and killed French LN to escape. French CU and FA CA response battlefield smoked in response. Another Spanish CA with 4 pt LN and FA with 1 pt LC blocking rr killed the French CU and the leader trying to evade for the improbable win.

Game 2

Gonzo (French) 6 banners

gottoman (Allies) 2 banners

Again battle mostly on French left. Spanish Art punish French in middle who fall back with several crippled, but not killed. French Cav and inf advance on left, but French cav lost in charge against battlefield smoke and retalliatory Spanish LC charge. French inf range fire cause Spanish LN losses, then bayonet charge route that flank. Turning to middle, French CU attack and kill LC, but are surrounded by Spanish bayonet charge and die. French leader miraculouly evades through5 total dice. French inf then close for kill. Thanks to Greg for fun games.