TWO for Poodle Pie!!!

[Blathergut]

Things noticed in our 2nd battle:

>NMA outshoots the Royalist centre by 8 bases...that has seemed to be quite pronounced.
>Superior seems to be essential for Det. Horse...we've had every superior BG on both sides end up fighting for rounds with 2 bases left.
>Once the pike/shot BGs close within short range of muskets, the fighting becomes very bloody!!
>The dragoons were again brittle and eventually fled, but they did hold up a flank and cause the Royalists to commit a full pike/shot BG + firelocks to that flank. Probably very worth their points. I think next time I will try them in two 3paks (2 bases up, 1 behind), with one BG up and one in reserve. I found they usually only got 1 die long range because of arc anyway.
>It seem essential/critical to have a reserve (unlike in FoG AM). My problem with the NMA has been lack of something to support the striking Horse wing (the third Horse BG being sent to delay on the opposite flank). I think though I will lose it (since it is average) and tweak enough to pick up a 5th pike/shot BG (making it the third superior BG).

Question:

1. Those of you who have played a few games or more, do the battles tend to be similar? Or do you begin to notice/appreciate subtle differences in each one? (I found that while we have mostly set up the same, even little changes make for noticeable differences and enjoyment.)

[timmy1]

If you have similar numbers/quality of mounted the games tend to be very different each time. If there is an asymetry (sp?) and the game is played on Steppe the games seem very samey to me.

[deadtorius]

Its historical match up, Later Royalists and New Model. I have 4 BG of Cavaliers and he has used 3 so far in each game.
The big difference is in the shot, he has more shot than I do which makes it harder for my center to hold. Of courser my inherent ability to roll 1's on death rolls has not helped my cause much either. In our last game I won 4 consecutive cavalry melees, rolled to kill Essex and rolled 4 10's. Next turn we tied on the melee I rolled an 11 for Essex. Got to say his armour was pretty badly dented. We both ended up with our cav down to 2 bases and his other cav unit was fragged, then I rolled a nice 1 on death roll and that was it for the cavalry flank. Blathergut also survived an artillery pounding for about 6 turns where I was hitting him 2-3 times each turn with arty and the Kings Lifeguard, and he managed to beat the death roll and pass the CMT till I got into close range and then let him try to beat 5 hits, ended with him fragged but I had hit my break point before I could break them I am glad to say that Rupert and Boye survived again, Blathergut did not even get close to killing them in combat his best try was a roll of 8
I now need to figure out how to overcome my lack of shot in my foot troops, as I am constantly being out shot by the NMA. Time to look up the lists and paint some more infantry I think. Both of my generals are going to drop to Troops as well to see if I can't get some more help on the table

[david53]

Things noticed in our 2nd battle:

>NMA outshoots the Royalist centre by 8 bases...that has seemed to be quite pronounced.
>Superior seems to be essential for Det. Horse...we've had every superior BG on both sides end up fighting for rounds with 2 bases left.
>Once the pike/shot BGs close within short range of muskets, the fighting becomes very bloody!!
>The dragoons were again brittle and eventually fled, but they did hold up a flank and cause the Royalists to commit a full pike/shot BG + firelocks to that flank. Probably very worth their points. I think next time I will try them in two 3paks (2 bases up, 1 behind), with one BG up and one in reserve. I found they usually only got 1 die long range because of arc anyway.
>It seem essential/critical to have a reserve (unlike in FoG AM). My problem with the NMA has been lack of something to support the striking Horse wing (the third Horse BG being sent to delay on the opposite flank). I think though I will lose it (since it is average) and tweak enough to pick up a 5th pike/shot BG (making it the third superior BG).

Question:

1. Those of you who have played a few games or more, do the battles tend to be similar? Or do you begin to notice/appreciate subtle differences in each one? (I found that while we have mostly set up the same, even little changes make for noticeable differences and enjoyment.)

The difference I have noticed is that theres not as much infantry fight compared to FOG AM, shooting seems to decide things quick the majority of foot being average leads to the same deaths and and disruption/frag. I do feel there will not be many unfinished games if roll call is to go by.

[SirGarnet]

With Pike and Shot on both sides, the side with worse shooting usually should charge into the relative safety of close combat.

The less variety in troop types, the more similar the battles should seem. More varied armies give more diverse types of battle.

I've played the same French Wars of Religion scenario a number of times with minor variations in troops and terrain feature placement, and it was a hard fight but a notably different battle each time. The grand Spanish tercio proved very durable (very much like a moving fort). The Royal Swiss Pike fought hard and was beaten up repeatedly, though in different circumstances. Artillery on hills is nice to create attrition on the other side. Knowing how to plan and execute mounted manoeuvres is important to make the most of the horse and keep it away from hazardous volleys or being stymied by opposing foot.

[Blathergut]

Ya...always remember that anyone taking a hit from shooting can lose a base on an unlucky roll and everyone taking a shooting hit is equal in that. Atleast with close combat, you have a chance at a +2!

[SirGarnet]

Also, be it noted that poodling was a serious crime back in the day.

[deadtorius]

Poodling is only half as bad as the damned NMA wanting to fill up the battlefield with lots of stuff so his Dragoons can hide and shoot at me. The pikes are so slow in terrain it takes forever to try and get through it to engage the enemy in melee.
Going to try a different make up of the army this weekend and see if it helps me any. Were still just over 600 points so with my armies minimums not a lot of choice in optional troops. Seriously considering making up a pair of light guns and dropping the Med art for those as they worked pretty well at Migs in our mega game.