Journeys through the Eternal Empire - Part Three

[massina_nz]

For my third outing I'm taking another variation on the same theme as the two previous armies. This time having the strike units as lancers, rather than knights or armoured swordsmen.

Note: I haven't placed the leaders in any of the lancer units, they are there for command-and-control- not melee pumps. Also I assume that by using Horsey armies my camp will always be sacked. I've never seen the benefit in fortifying them

[massina_nz]

My opponent accepts my challenge with the Hungarian army. Again they could turn up with a mixed bag. I win initiative so go for the most open map that is given me to choose from; again room to manoeuvre is required as my default preference. Despite this the best map still has plenty of funnels in it that could block my troops, but at least the map edges are relatively clear and I can hide my camp away in a corner.

When I see the map for placement I realise I’ll be facing plenty of knights with a Hungarian BP level of 29, that’s less than mine! Again I split my forces in two, being wary of placing units right in the middle of the map.

[massina_nz]

Nothing on my left, my lancers can’t cope with those knights they better get out of there!



I advance on the left, my bow-armed cavalry advance to the middle as my lancers head to the right to get out of anarchy range.

[massina_nz]

On my left – a few Crusaders head my way, but only a few…..



The Knights advance, thank god for that, they could have easily blocked off my exits through the marshes and lakes



The classic encirclement of an exposed light unit, there is no escape and initial bow volleys have disrupted target, routing it should be easy. Even if it fails the knights can’t reach me next turn anyway.



Unit is routed and I keep my advancing lancers away from any targets.



On the right I shunt the LH horse way, which allows me to move my lancers further to the right– I was unable to cut of these LH - now three marked cavalry units could have some interesting evade moves if the Szekler cavalry charges. I place a LH in the way in a vain hope to drag away some charges.

[massina_nz]

On my left the Crusader knights charge, but expose themselves to rear attacks.



Although the rear attacks don’t disrupt because they didn’t start from behind, they will do their job next turn, when the crusader knights will turn to face them, leaving their rear hexes open to attack – in my next turn. Hopefully my LH will draw the other knight unit away.



As expected on my right flank, the exposed cavalry (A) can’t evade away, when blocked by my own lancers and is routed. Some of my lancers are now engaged in melee although it’s relatively safe for the lancers as the enemy knights are far away



My Lancers are able to fragment the szekler cavalry unit. But when it presumably routs they will pursue, this will probably allow the rest of the lancers to escape

I’ve also set some of my cavalry (A) to ‘not evade’. The szekler cavalry facing them has been reduced to 78% casualties, so is probably a good chance to fight now. I decide that getting rid of the enemy cavalry units is worthwhile as then I will only need to face the slow moving knights and the pesky LH.

[massina_nz]

Hungarian cavalry routs and thankfully my pursuing unit avoids the knights



I keep running away.



On the left both of my units disrupt in my opponents turn during the melee , but this is only a temporary set back, as I now execute some rear hex attacks. Thankfully the other knight chases off the LH.



Both knights are routed with rear attacks and then the remaining knight is surrounded, it won’t escape.

[massina_nz]

I’m running out of room on my right as the map edge approaches



Easy rear attack coming up – who gets the pleasure?



The enemy Knight unit is destroyed as well as it’s leader and skirmisher is caught



My troops may have to sacrifice themselves – or do you just let them evade off the map? Choices, choices.



With still just enough room for one more evade move, I turn my lancers for some possible rear attacks next turn

[massina_nz]

Some of the knights turn back in the centre (A), and the LH charge in (B), but this time I don’t evade and they get stuck.



My lancers are now committed (with targets in range and not being able to evade) – I will have to carefully pick my targets.



Another classic LH kill, as its retreat path is blocked.



Undoing the puzzle – minimising my lancer anarchies – first I plan use a LH to clear away enemy light troops – but change my mind as it will probably stick to the enemy unit, so I will have to use a lancer unit instead.





Okay that was weird! The LH evaded the right way for me. But the lancer moved into the other hex?



I manage to get ++ POA rear attack (A) and place some cavalry to take advantage next turn (B). My LH are safe for another turn because the enemy LH have been forced to evade so they can’t be charged next turn.

My lancer that charged in first (C) will now be slaughtered as the spear has a rear attack once my lancer (D)breaks- off – it had good odds but didn’t disrupt spearmen and I didn’t want to throw my spare cavalry at the spears., to be butchered by one of the enemy knights.

[massina_nz]

The only action is now on my right flank. Fighting gets really confusing with a couple of routs on both side.

[massina_nz]

I lose a lancer to rout, but manage to rout three Hungarian units to claim victory. Upon reflection my Lancers were very tough, but can get easily stuck – I’d probably go for less of them if I played this army again.