Games at Expo - an analysis of failure?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 3:32 pm
Hi Folks
Thanks to all at the Games Expo at Birmingham, especially to James 'hammy' Hamilton for organising all the games in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Thanks to my opponents to for 3 excellent friendly games.
I brought an unused army for me plus my son and his friend who had fun exploring the huge show and spending all my cash on teenage rubbish
An Analysis of the Games
(All games 650pt armies, 5ft x 3ft tables, flank sectors reduced to 10in)
My Army – Later Louis XIV French 1694
3 TC
4 x average infantry BG’s, 5 musket*, IF bayonet / 1 pike unarmoured
2 x superior infantry BG’s, 5 musket*, IF bayonet / 1 pike armoured
1 x 2 medium artillery
1 x 4 superior DH, unarmoured, pistol/pistol
1 x 2 elite DH, unarmoured, pistol/pistol
2 x 4 average dragoons, musket
1 x 2 average LH Hussars, carbine/pistol
Total 12 BG’s
Sadly, I recorded all combat cohesion tests and death rolls. Although the records from 3 games are hardly going to be statistically reliable it might be interesting reading (well, for me anyway).
GAME 1
Versus Ray Boyles - Anglo-Dutch:
3 TC; 2 x average 5m/1p; 3 x superior 5m/1p; 2 x average Swedes 4m/2p salvo; 2 x 3 dragoons; 1 x 4 average DH; 1 x 2 medium artillery. Some of the foot BG’s had regimental guns also. Total 11 BG’s
Essentially, the battle was an infantry fight in the centre where Ray had the advantage in firepower and numbers and me attacking down one flank with cav/drgns/art. I eventually gained an advantage on both flanks though it was taking far too long. My centre was precariously close to disintegration. The game timed out at 3 attrition points each.
Cohesion Test (CT):
Me - total 16, failed 9 (failure rate 56.2%, average failure roll 5)
Ray – total 14, failed 4 (failure rate 28.6%, average failure roll 5.5)
Death Rolls (DR):
Me - total 23, failed 7 (failure rate 30.4%, average failure roll 2.3)
Ray – total 26, failed 5 (failure rate 19.2%, average failure roll 1.4)
From this you can see that there was little difference in the total number of CT and DR made by both players. However, Ray’s dice rolls were more successful overall than mine. My high cohesion test failure was pretty devastating. My DR failure was also higher but you have to take this in context. Ray’s infantry firepower was much better than mine and is partly reflected in my higher average DR failure. That’s the trouble with 5 infantry bases BG’s shooting with 2 dice at long range then musket* at
short range with 4 dice (usually less after units are disrupted). If the game had continued, Ray would likely to have broken my centre and army before my flank attacks were successful.
GAME 2
Versus Wayne Charlton - Transylvanian post-1600 (I think):
3 TC, IIRC 3 x average LH bow/sword; 1 x superior LH carbine/sword; 2 x 3 average dragoons; 1 x superior gendarmes, heavily armoured, heavy lance/sword; 1 x superior heavily armoured pistol/pistol; 1 x average armoured pistol/pistol; 1 x average cavalry armoured bow/sword; 1 x 6 superior infantry arquebus/sword; 1 x 2 medium artillery. Total 12 BG’s (I realise now that there’s something wrong here – no dragoons should be in the list though they were definitely on the table???)
The enemy army was deployed in 2 separate groups, one on each flank and the camp in an enclosed field, central left. My army was deployed with infantry in the centre, cavalry behind and dragoons on the flanks. My right flank disintegrated quickly with my dragoons shot up immediately by enemy dragoons and enemy artillery making short work of an infantry BG defending my artillery. I lost 3 BG’s very quickly. My artillery/musket shooting against enemy cavalry was desultory so I advanced my infantry and fanned out towards the flanks. I started to make inroads into the enemy, shooting cavalry and forcing charges. Eventually I managed to take out 4 attrition points off my opponent for no further losses for me (I lost total 6 attrition points). In 1 more bound I might have taken my artillery back, taken the enemy artillery and also the lone enemy infantry BG that was fragmented and down to 4 bases fighting 2 of my infantry BG’s but the game timed out. I felt I was in a dominate position at the end of the game.
Cohesion Test (CT):
Me - total 22, failed 6 (failure rate 27.3%, average failure roll 5.5)
Wayne – total 14, failed 7 (failure rate 50%, average failure roll 5.4)
Death Rolls (DR):
Me - total 16, failed 7 (failure rate 43.8%, average failure roll 1.4)
Wayne – total 24, failed 8 (failure rate 33.3%, average failure roll 2.9)
My CT’s were far luckier than my opponent’s overall even though I was forced to roll more times due to Wayne’s better rate & number of shooting hits - mostly in the first half of the game. It was a different story with the DR’s though. I had a high rate of DR failure with several 1 & 2’s compared to Wayne’s better rolling. His higher average failure roll was due to the high number of hits I inflicted in close combat and close range shooting in the latter half of the game.
GAME 3
Versus Simon Clarke – West Sudanese:
1 GC, 1 TC, 1 Ally TC; 2 x average LH javelin; 2 x 8 LF poor bow; 2 x 8 MF bow; 3 x 6 MF bow; 3 x 4 superior camel Tuareg Ally;
Flank March 1 TC; 1 x 4 cavalry??
Total 14 BG’s
More than half of the table was blocked off by rough terrain. I therefore deliberately deployed my camp on the short open side to invite a flank march. However, I totally lost focus on the game after this, deploying incorrectly and attacking like a muppet. My opponent had the camelry on the open flank with a flank march. On the other flank were enemy light troops only. It would have been far wiser to stick to my original plan and hold defensively (despite being boring), waiting for my opponent to come to me but no I advanced recklessly. I should have at least moved infantry to the flank to fob off the camels and the cavalry into a position to charge the MF bow in the open with infantry support but I even failed to do this. I should have known better as I have often used the Sudanese so why I lost focus I’m not sure – a combination of things perhaps. Anyway, I deserved to lose this game!
My dragoons and artillery failed to do any harm to the Tuareg who swept aside all in their path. My infantry attacked the bowmen in the centre though outnumbered in shooting. Eventually some of mine charged in and caused some damage to the enemy. I failed hopelessly to halt the light troops sweeping down the other flank, losing my other dragoons in short order. Inevitably, my army folded when the camels swept in to attack my infantry flanks. I managed to get 4 attrition points off Simon by the close of play.
Cohesion Test (CT):
Me - total 27, failed 8 (failure rate 29.6%, average failure roll 6.6)
Simon – total 15, failed 8 (failure rate 53.6%, average failure roll 4.6)
Death Rolls (DR):
Me - total 16, failed 8 (failure rate 50%, average failure roll 1.4)
Simon – total 32, failed 8 (failure rate 25%, average failure roll 2.1)
My CT’s were far luckier than Simon’s even though I had to roll far more than him. Also my higher average failure roll indicates my BG’s were often in more vulnerable positions – I was just lucky here several times. My army might have folded even quicker if I’d had more CT failures. However, it was again a different story with the DR’s. My DR’s were poor with a string of 1’s and 2’s. Simon had far more DR’s to make – mostly due to my successful long range hits but noticeably usually just in 1’s – but had a low failure percentage. His higher average failure roll was due to my higher hits in infantry close combat near the close of the game. Simon’s army being so large could of course absorb more damage then mine also.
Lessons:
Focus on the bloody game, stick to a plan.
Keep my CT dice.
Change my DR dice. (My failure percentage was consistently more than my opponents but before I say it always seems so, ultimately, I don’t think it was why I lost or was doing well during a game).
So, was it worth being a saddo and recording all this? Well, yes as I think it helps me look at each game more closely rather than just commenting on good/bad dice runs. At the very least, I was so busy recording dice scores that I failed to blaspheme/chuck dice any time I got a run of bad luck
See you at Manchester & Koblenz for more punishment
Cheers
Richard
Thanks to all at the Games Expo at Birmingham, especially to James 'hammy' Hamilton for organising all the games in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Thanks to my opponents to for 3 excellent friendly games.
I brought an unused army for me plus my son and his friend who had fun exploring the huge show and spending all my cash on teenage rubbish
An Analysis of the Games
(All games 650pt armies, 5ft x 3ft tables, flank sectors reduced to 10in)
My Army – Later Louis XIV French 1694
3 TC
4 x average infantry BG’s, 5 musket*, IF bayonet / 1 pike unarmoured
2 x superior infantry BG’s, 5 musket*, IF bayonet / 1 pike armoured
1 x 2 medium artillery
1 x 4 superior DH, unarmoured, pistol/pistol
1 x 2 elite DH, unarmoured, pistol/pistol
2 x 4 average dragoons, musket
1 x 2 average LH Hussars, carbine/pistol
Total 12 BG’s
Sadly, I recorded all combat cohesion tests and death rolls. Although the records from 3 games are hardly going to be statistically reliable it might be interesting reading (well, for me anyway).
GAME 1
Versus Ray Boyles - Anglo-Dutch:
3 TC; 2 x average 5m/1p; 3 x superior 5m/1p; 2 x average Swedes 4m/2p salvo; 2 x 3 dragoons; 1 x 4 average DH; 1 x 2 medium artillery. Some of the foot BG’s had regimental guns also. Total 11 BG’s
Essentially, the battle was an infantry fight in the centre where Ray had the advantage in firepower and numbers and me attacking down one flank with cav/drgns/art. I eventually gained an advantage on both flanks though it was taking far too long. My centre was precariously close to disintegration. The game timed out at 3 attrition points each.
Cohesion Test (CT):
Me - total 16, failed 9 (failure rate 56.2%, average failure roll 5)
Ray – total 14, failed 4 (failure rate 28.6%, average failure roll 5.5)
Death Rolls (DR):
Me - total 23, failed 7 (failure rate 30.4%, average failure roll 2.3)
Ray – total 26, failed 5 (failure rate 19.2%, average failure roll 1.4)
From this you can see that there was little difference in the total number of CT and DR made by both players. However, Ray’s dice rolls were more successful overall than mine. My high cohesion test failure was pretty devastating. My DR failure was also higher but you have to take this in context. Ray’s infantry firepower was much better than mine and is partly reflected in my higher average DR failure. That’s the trouble with 5 infantry bases BG’s shooting with 2 dice at long range then musket* at
short range with 4 dice (usually less after units are disrupted). If the game had continued, Ray would likely to have broken my centre and army before my flank attacks were successful.
GAME 2
Versus Wayne Charlton - Transylvanian post-1600 (I think):
3 TC, IIRC 3 x average LH bow/sword; 1 x superior LH carbine/sword; 2 x 3 average dragoons; 1 x superior gendarmes, heavily armoured, heavy lance/sword; 1 x superior heavily armoured pistol/pistol; 1 x average armoured pistol/pistol; 1 x average cavalry armoured bow/sword; 1 x 6 superior infantry arquebus/sword; 1 x 2 medium artillery. Total 12 BG’s (I realise now that there’s something wrong here – no dragoons should be in the list though they were definitely on the table???)
The enemy army was deployed in 2 separate groups, one on each flank and the camp in an enclosed field, central left. My army was deployed with infantry in the centre, cavalry behind and dragoons on the flanks. My right flank disintegrated quickly with my dragoons shot up immediately by enemy dragoons and enemy artillery making short work of an infantry BG defending my artillery. I lost 3 BG’s very quickly. My artillery/musket shooting against enemy cavalry was desultory so I advanced my infantry and fanned out towards the flanks. I started to make inroads into the enemy, shooting cavalry and forcing charges. Eventually I managed to take out 4 attrition points off my opponent for no further losses for me (I lost total 6 attrition points). In 1 more bound I might have taken my artillery back, taken the enemy artillery and also the lone enemy infantry BG that was fragmented and down to 4 bases fighting 2 of my infantry BG’s but the game timed out. I felt I was in a dominate position at the end of the game.
Cohesion Test (CT):
Me - total 22, failed 6 (failure rate 27.3%, average failure roll 5.5)
Wayne – total 14, failed 7 (failure rate 50%, average failure roll 5.4)
Death Rolls (DR):
Me - total 16, failed 7 (failure rate 43.8%, average failure roll 1.4)
Wayne – total 24, failed 8 (failure rate 33.3%, average failure roll 2.9)
My CT’s were far luckier than my opponent’s overall even though I was forced to roll more times due to Wayne’s better rate & number of shooting hits - mostly in the first half of the game. It was a different story with the DR’s though. I had a high rate of DR failure with several 1 & 2’s compared to Wayne’s better rolling. His higher average failure roll was due to the high number of hits I inflicted in close combat and close range shooting in the latter half of the game.
GAME 3
Versus Simon Clarke – West Sudanese:
1 GC, 1 TC, 1 Ally TC; 2 x average LH javelin; 2 x 8 LF poor bow; 2 x 8 MF bow; 3 x 6 MF bow; 3 x 4 superior camel Tuareg Ally;
Flank March 1 TC; 1 x 4 cavalry??
Total 14 BG’s
More than half of the table was blocked off by rough terrain. I therefore deliberately deployed my camp on the short open side to invite a flank march. However, I totally lost focus on the game after this, deploying incorrectly and attacking like a muppet. My opponent had the camelry on the open flank with a flank march. On the other flank were enemy light troops only. It would have been far wiser to stick to my original plan and hold defensively (despite being boring), waiting for my opponent to come to me but no I advanced recklessly. I should have at least moved infantry to the flank to fob off the camels and the cavalry into a position to charge the MF bow in the open with infantry support but I even failed to do this. I should have known better as I have often used the Sudanese so why I lost focus I’m not sure – a combination of things perhaps. Anyway, I deserved to lose this game!
My dragoons and artillery failed to do any harm to the Tuareg who swept aside all in their path. My infantry attacked the bowmen in the centre though outnumbered in shooting. Eventually some of mine charged in and caused some damage to the enemy. I failed hopelessly to halt the light troops sweeping down the other flank, losing my other dragoons in short order. Inevitably, my army folded when the camels swept in to attack my infantry flanks. I managed to get 4 attrition points off Simon by the close of play.
Cohesion Test (CT):
Me - total 27, failed 8 (failure rate 29.6%, average failure roll 6.6)
Simon – total 15, failed 8 (failure rate 53.6%, average failure roll 4.6)
Death Rolls (DR):
Me - total 16, failed 8 (failure rate 50%, average failure roll 1.4)
Simon – total 32, failed 8 (failure rate 25%, average failure roll 2.1)
My CT’s were far luckier than Simon’s even though I had to roll far more than him. Also my higher average failure roll indicates my BG’s were often in more vulnerable positions – I was just lucky here several times. My army might have folded even quicker if I’d had more CT failures. However, it was again a different story with the DR’s. My DR’s were poor with a string of 1’s and 2’s. Simon had far more DR’s to make – mostly due to my successful long range hits but noticeably usually just in 1’s – but had a low failure percentage. His higher average failure roll was due to my higher hits in infantry close combat near the close of the game. Simon’s army being so large could of course absorb more damage then mine also.
Lessons:
Focus on the bloody game, stick to a plan.
Keep my CT dice.
Change my DR dice. (My failure percentage was consistently more than my opponents but before I say it always seems so, ultimately, I don’t think it was why I lost or was doing well during a game).
So, was it worth being a saddo and recording all this? Well, yes as I think it helps me look at each game more closely rather than just commenting on good/bad dice runs. At the very least, I was so busy recording dice scores that I failed to blaspheme/chuck dice any time I got a run of bad luck
See you at Manchester & Koblenz for more punishment
Cheers
Richard
"not the you should bring the 8 bgs of superior warriors, 4x being heavy armoured very sensible approach"... Japanese with a PBI +3 and still 13 BGs... Mmmm yummy...