Friday, April 18, 2014

Siege of Haengju - Ready for Play-Testing Tomorrow!

Well, we're finally getting to get in a play-test tomorrow for the Siege of Haengju game I've committed to hosting next month at our local annual convention, Enfilade! Out of the initial six or seven players, only about half will be able to make it tomorrow. That said, it should be fine as the ones making it are very experienced gamers, and in systems that I've based the rules upon. The rules for this game are a modified version of Hail Caesar with doses of WAB and DBA mixed in! Here are a few shots of the table set up - pretty close to what I had set up back last December (for a game that never materialized), but with the addition of more command stands and another Korean artillery piece.
View of the Korean defenders - an outer palisade of stakes and inner stone wall from the older, original fortress of an earlier era.
A view from the side of the assaulting Japanese. The area directly in front of the Japanese are wooded, but passable for the cost of an entire move. To their right are rice fields which will also cost an entire move for small fields and two for larger ones. The walls also cost an entire move to overcome. Quite simplified rules, but geared for convention players with little or no experience with Hail Caesar.
A view from the heights of the Korean defense system. Their artillery are all able to fire overhead their own troops from the higher elevation. As may be surmised by the photos (blurred as they are), units are mostly two stand apiece so relatively "small", but since they are structured this way can be considered "Standard" sized per Hail Caesar.
The right of the Japanese attack. The woods provide cover (+1 Save), but only hinder movement by costing one move as none of the wooded areas are greater in depth than the 6" normal movement of infantry. The Japanese cavalry can still use their full 9" move for wooded terrain also - all units in the game are considered Open Order troops except for the Chinese Heavy Cavalry. The Korean and Chinese cavalry will be able to come on in Turn 2 of the game - contingent upon them having successful Command Rolls.
A view from the Japanese left - there are three divisions for the Japanese; each with a mixture of arquebusiers, archers, spearmen and Samurai. The center division also has cavalry and the one cannon for the Japanese. Both the Japanese and Koreans have three divisional commanders and an overall army general who can choose to lead units/divisions at will.
Some of the modifications to the basic Hail Caesar rules are the removal of Disorder, the simplification of Combat resolution, Break Test and Blunder rolls. All will have only three outcomes - the Combat resolution and Break Test will be both based loosely upon DBA: D6 roll of 1-2 results in the offending unit being destroyed and removed from game; 3-4 results in fleeing a basic move distance away from combat/enemy, and needing to a leadership test to rally their next turn (as in WAB but also requiring the use of a successful Command roll from an appropriate commander to take the test) - failure will have the unit to move yet another basic move away; 5-6 resulting in a "Recoil" back of a basic move distance (similar to DBA). Blunder test results (from rolling 12 in the Command roll as normal) are 1-2 having the unit take one casualty; 2-3 Flee one basic move distance away from the enemy - automatic/free rally at top of their next turn; 5-6 Uncontrolled basic move (surge) toward enemy, but not counted as a Charge. All foot units will have a maximum Endurance (max casualties) of 3, except for Samurai units which will be 4 as all cavalry. Charge responses are similar to WAB also: Stand, Fire (if bow armed, and -1 to Hit); Evade - based upon Hail Caesar - requiring a Command roll for up to 3 moves away, but still have one free move if roll failed; and if overtaken by the Charging unit will be destroyed. There are a few Special Rules and various Saves for certain troops, but still pretty simplified rules and they all fit on a 8.5 X 11 inch page, one-sided.

26 comments:

  1. Looks like you're in for a great Dean - looking forward to the report.

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  2. Fabulous looking set up, Dean! One page of rules for a convention game is perfect. As Michael above, I look forward to reading the playtest results.

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  3. This looks great Dean, very niche but great nonetheless. This is the best thing about our hobby, always someone wanting to push the boundaries.

    Regards HGA.

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  4. Thanks, Gentlemen! Appreciate the interests - I will surely post the results/findings of tomorrow's play-test. For the record, I'm a bit apprehensive of the barricades - will the defenders remain inside of them or will they go forth and engage the enemy. We'll see, but I hope the addition of the Korean & Chinese cavalry reinforcements add to the tension. Best, Dean

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  5. Great work on all of this Dean, i'm eager to see how the playtest goes. Very cool.

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    1. Thanks, Nate. I'm definitely looking forward to the play-test with some experienced gamers.

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  6. That's really a great looking set up Dean! I'm looking forward to seeing how it all turns out.

    Christopher

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  7. That's a nice looking table. Those buildings are great. You've got it all ready and I hope it goes well!

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  8. Thank you Anne and Christopher. Definitely looking forward to the play-test. I'm sure some tweaking will result from the game, but hope it isn't too far off as is. Best, Dean

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  9. A splendid battlefield, and great looking armies too...what a set up!

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  10. This is looking marvelous! Great to see all the work of the previous months coming together!

    Have fun with the play test!

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    1. Thanks, Burkhard. Seeing your recent game, I'm ready to move onto more modern/shooty games soon too.

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  11. Looks like it should be a great game Dean! Awesome table!

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    1. Thanks, Simon. Nothing as elaborate as your games - no Romans wading to battle after embarking off galleys to face chariots! but I will be please if the game plays out decently. Best, Dean

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  13. This is gorgeous Dean! I wish I lived on the West Coast. It'd be great to see and play this in person.

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    1. That would be great if you could someday make it to Enfilade! There's usually a big following of SAGA players too. Best, Dean

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  14. Thanks for the great comments for this project - I am encouraged by them and anxious to see how the scenario plays out later today. I will certainly post a review. Regards, Dean

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  15. That looks great.

    Hope the game goes /went well (depending on the time of reading).

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  16. Tremendous looking setup Dean. Your efforts are certainly paying off on this one. Looking forward to the report.

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  17. An impressive looking set-up.
    Cheers,
    Pat.

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  18. Sure looks like it's going to be a great looking game.

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  19. Wow, what a fantastic looking table and troops! Best of luck with the game. Cheers, Paul.

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  20. Thanks, Gents! It indeed went very well today - please see the latest post! Best, Dean

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