David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Wednesday 13 June 2018

Baldinus vicit Imperatoris

Or more properly The Glorious Death of Pompus Maximus, late Emperor. This week’s game here in GHQ saw a Late Roman game in our ongoing tale of Pompus Maximus and Baldinus and their struggle for the Imperial throne sometime in the late C4th. As usual we played out the game using our in house version of Neil Thomas’s Ancient and Medieval rules. The game swung this way and that, as they generally do with these rules we find, before a decisive moment ended the contest. A few pictures to convey the sense of the game. Next week, hopefully, a SYW game using Black Powder ~

The army of Pompus Maximus was cavalry centred, Heavy and Cataphract on
the left wing, Light cavalry and Horse Archers on the right. Two units of 
Dark Age infantry, supported by a unit of Heavy Arches, a unit of Light
Infantry and a bolt thrower held the cente.

The army of the rebel Baldinus was infantry heavy, with Dark Age Infantry,
Warbands, Heavy Archers and.a Bolt Thrower. His cavalry, all Heavy, was
concentrated on his right. You will note above the heroic Pompus right in the
action! Bit of an error of judgement on my part that!

I took my eye of the game as I concentrated on the cavalry action on my left.
Suddenly I found my infantry had fled and Pompus Maximus was fighting for
his life! Although he fought valiantly no units could come to his aid. Despite
reducing the enemy to half strength Pompus eventually succumbed and with
his untimely death the army fled. "Hail Baldinus!" Perhaps not...





18 comments:

  1. Impressive battle. Thanks for the report 8)

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  2. Looks very nice, wonderful figures David!

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  3. Lot's of lovely looking figures! It's a period I'm gearing up to, pretty historical for late Roman Emperors to die in battle abandoned by their troops!
    Best Iain

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    1. First time my character has died in battle in a long time!

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  4. Wonderful looking game David! Yo always do manage to present a nice looking game.

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks Christopher, I do enjoy the visual side of a game.

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  5. Look around there is always another general with imperial ambitions about. Nice game, should try a little campaign myself.

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    1. Indeed you should George, it gives Battle reports more meaning than who did what to whom.

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  6. Very nice old boy...
    I do like those Cataphracts... nice and mean looking.

    All the best. Aly

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  7. A splendid looking game. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Thanks Jon, I will do my best to comply.

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  8. A late Pompous too Colin :~) A fine game was had, look forward to our SYW bash on Monday.

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    1. The table is all set to go. See you in 45 minutes!

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