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.



Tuesday 27 November 2018

The Attack on Castello San Phillipe

For our regular Monday game here in GHQ, and the first in December, Phil and I settled on an Italian Wars game using Pike & Shotte rules for only the third time as I’d recently painted up four new Command bases. It was also a good excuse to see my Palazzo and all the related buildings and extras out on the table for the first time. The game saw Phil’s Florentine’s attacking the Papal held town of San Phillipe and attempting to sack the castello. As ever, a few pictures to illustrate how the game panned out ~
Castello San Phillipe and its town environs defended by the
forces of the Papal States.
Florentine forces gather, albeit rather slowly, for the attack to
commence. The Heavy Ordnance opens fire on the defenders!

Florence's finest, though they were not to live up to the
epithet during the battle!

After initial hesitancy the Papal Gendarmes and Elmetti
advance to confront the enemy.

A strong defensive line has been established by the defenders.
Masses of mercenary Landsknechts advance on the defenders

A view along the road to the battle. Cesare is leading from the
rear I see! The shame!

The battle is hotting up now with many of the defending force
being Disordered by handgun and crossbow fire. The pike
do not seem at all keen to engage their foe!

Despite suffering losses in combat, the Papal Gendarmes and
Elmetti sweep the enemy before them! On their left flank the
battle turns against the Florentines!

At last the Disorder is cast off and the infantry begins to go on
the attack as the Florentines falter!

The Garrison of Castello San Phillipe look on as the Papal
force presses forward on the Florentine centre.

All is up for the attackers in Turn 8! The Florentine left is 
broken and the centre is driven back. San Phillipe is saved
once more!

Pike & Shotte gave us a fast flowing and enjoyable game and
may in time supplant Neil Thomas's rules as our go to choice
for the period, we shall have to see.

The figures are from our joint collections and include items from Foundry, TAG, Casting Room Miniatures, Perry Miniatures, Dixon Miniatures, Essex, Hinchliffe, Warlord Games/Pro Gloria, and Steel Fist. I was never one for mixing manufacturers much in the past, but this just seems to add to the splendid Renaissance look of the armies to me. Bases were made for us by Warbases of course while they also provided the bulk of the MDF kits I used to kit bash the various buildings. Other components came from Sally Forth, Sarissa Precision, Charlie Foxtrot, Supreme Littleness Designs, Grand Manner, and Iron Gate Scenics.
We hope to revisit the Italian Wars early on in 2019 giving Phil a chance to add another unit or two perhaps to his Florentines. As for me, I've called a halt to Papal expansion and am back to painting extra units for our AWI games, the 3rd Continental Dragoons at present as I've had the dismounted versions for 20 years but never got around to adding the mounted versions! Typical wargamer I suspect, my attention wandered off to something newer and shinnier!

29 comments:

  1. Impressive fight! There is not a lot of figures on a table, but looks as full-scale battle

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    1. There are more figures than you might at first think, but I agree it makes a fine sight!

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  2. A fine game indeed, we might have learned the rules for the next game :~)
    The town and pizza palace looked superb, a truly grand job Roberto.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the game and thanks for kind words on my building efforts. As to lead into the rules....:-)

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  3. Tremendous David. What size are your bases? Might ask Martin for some.

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    1. Thank you Colin! All bases bar round Command are 100mm wide, Like and some Ordnance are 100mm deep, the rest 50mm.

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    2. Pike that should be of course!

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  4. Spectacular pictures David, splendid buildings ans armies, and nice report!

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  5. Very nice to see the project getting on the battlefield, buildings look great 🙂

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    1. Thanks Matt! Fin those small chaps yet? ;-)

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  6. Lovely looking game! Love the Palazzo,I think I'll try pike and shot for this period,Phil clearly can't win a game for love nor money!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain, but I'm sure Phil's luck must change soon.

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  7. Beautiful looking game! It really does pull me into wanting to paint up some Italian Wars figures!

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks Christopher, I look forward to viewing your collection in due course .

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  8. Nice looking game, the buildings certainly set the scene.

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  9. Lovely terrain, those Medici need to loosen their purse strings methinks.

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  10. Splendid stuff David...
    Thats a couple of fine looking collections you’ve got there... and the buildings look terrific.


    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thanks for all the encouragement Aly, it is appreciated .

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  11. So beautifull castello !
    And figures and terrain of course !
    Bravo !

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  12. A beautiful looking game, so much colour!

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