Last Samurai - Meiji Era Warfare Using Bolt Action

Played out a scenario loosely based on the last battle in the movie "The Last Samurai." Slightly modified Bolt Action was used for the game with very good results, in my opinion. It played out fast and felt fairly balanced - even though the rebel Samurai forces were without modern weapons. Indeed, the only missile weapons they had were bows with 18" range versus the Imperial troops 24" rifle ranges. The Imperial troops also had two cannon with 36" range and two Gatling guns with 30" range. As the latter weapons were on a bluff they could fire over their own troops most of time.

Rebel Samurai forces at the start of the game. All the figures are Old Glory except for two Bac Ninh command figures manning the guard towers and the Perry foot Samurai.

Imperial troops in skirmish line with infantry in the center, cavalry on the flanks and supported by artillery and Gatling guns on an overlooking bluff. All of the figures are Old Glory, with the two Gatling guns made by Black Tree Design.

The end of Turn 1 had most of the troops using Run to close in on each other - all missile troops, including artillery being still out of range. This was only found out after the first Imperial cannon discovered this fact after choosing to Fire. The rest chose Ambush when their die came up.

Turn 2 had some Imperial troops able to fire on the rebels. Not causing too much casualties, but giving them Pins to deal with.

A mounted Samurai unit being decimated by carbine and rifle fire after impetuously trying to close in on the enemy. For their part, ashigaru bowmen were pretty effective even with a more limited range.

Finally able to reach the enemy, the Samurai cavalry forgot the Imperial cavalry also had two attacks each in Close Combat.

A large ashigaru unit overpowering another Imperial cavalry unit which has been reduced by ashigaru bow fire.

The rebel left flank moving up in good order, and still out of Imperial artillery range.

A foot Samurai unit, also with two attacks each engages Imperial infantry, while a mounted Samurai unit takes on another Imperial unit to their left. It was wasn't as lopsided as expected, as the Imperial infantry had some good die rolls.

More infantry combat with both units having sustained earlier missile fire. The skulls are casualty counters, and the die represent Pins. Although it may look grim for the Imperial troops, the Samurai need 6 ' to hit with 3 Pins accumulated. 

The center of the battle at the bottom of Turn 4. Quite a few of the Imperial forces having been wiped out - only the artillery and Gatling guns atop the bluff remain unscathed so far.

Turn 5 had the remaining Samurai cavalry unit making a charge on a cannon - they fell short and became targets of opportunity for the intended victim. The cannon used its Ambush setting to opportunity fire, but only caused one casualty. The next die went to the Gatling gun next to the cannon, which caused several more casualties - leaving only a pair of Samurai left in the unit.

The battlefield at the end of Turn 5. The few Imperial troops still engaged in combat will likely be destroyed in the next turn. One of the artillery crew actually fell victim to ashigaru bowmanship - they rolled 6 twice for the hit - having Advanced and having two Pins and being long range!

The game was called before starting Turn 6 - which would likely go to the rebels since they had most of their units still intact - including several bow units. Although there was also the chance the Imperial guns could've inflicted enough casualties to prevent this. Again, I was very pleased with the way Bolt Action's core rules adapted very nicely to this scenario with "Natives" lacking firearms. The previous blog post has a copy of the draft rules which were used.