Slitherine

Updated version
the updated version uses accessory units to change the dynamics of the battle to reflect the dual nature of the fighting: at the river bend and at the russian wagon laager. the mongols will have to attack the russian wagon train now to earn enough points to win while minimizing his losses in destroying the russian main battle group that had crossed the kalka.

same filename as old version so the old version needs to be deleted first (or given new filename).

105 mobile units, 22 turns

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OLD 1219: the Mongols headed west, towards the sundown of many nations. Genghis Khan's horsemen struck Central Asia like a thunderbolt. The conflagration shattered the once mighty Khwarazmian empire that had stretched from Afghanistan to the Caucasus. The vast steppes to the east and north of the Black Sea, domain of the Turkic Polovtsians, shuddered at the rumbling of the fast approaching storm in the form of the epic chevauchee of Genghis' general Subodei. The Polovtsians retreated. Their neighbours, the Russian princes, unfazed and for once united, mustered an army potent in numbers but fractured in leadership. This great host found Subodei waiting for it at the Kalka river in May of 1223.

Designer's Note:

There is no particular design quirk of note here. What the scenario offers is a case of a "running battle", with constantly shifting frontlines, as good cavalry fights usually are found to be.

Simply put, the Russians crossed the Kalka River at a bend and were hit by flanking attacks, precipitating a fighting retreat that turned into a rout.
In game terms, It is obvious that if the Russians started on their side of the Kalka, there would be every incentive for them to stay put. There would be a standoff. And that is not Kalka. Therefore the scenario has to start after the Russians had crossed, and in deep enough that a fighting retreat can in fact, if mishandled, lead to a quick rout.

The Russians have two choices, to commit further troops and make a stand or sacrifice units and turn back towards the Kievan contingent that lagged behind. Both are fraught with danger, but acting historically -retreat- should be the best solution because there is a real chance of victory if most of the cavalry can be extricated and battle is renewed on the other side of the Kalka. How the Russians use the protective shield of the wagon circle can also be a big factor.

The Mongols have to be relentlessly aggressive. How they make use of superior mobility and archery will be key. Despite being outnumbered overall, they have local superiority at the start and if they give that advantage away, they will not win.

Great scenario and great work. Thanks.

Thanks.

Thanks for the scenario, fogman. I haven't played it yet but I love the way it looks, particularly that near-symmetrical arrangement. One question: why are the Mongol light cavalry units on each flank of Subotai facing in the opposite direction? I may have missed your complete description, but it appears that they have just retreated, prior to the beginning of the scenario as scripted. If so, it's a good idea imo. Saves time.

those are the units the russians were pursuing. they just parted left and right to reveal the mongol main battle line.

fogman wrote:those are the units the russians were pursuing. they just parted left and right to reveal the mongol main battle line.

Thanks. That's what I thought. I like it.

updated.